By DANIEL HERATY
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Controversial Florida pastor the Rev. Terry Jones, who made two appearances in Dearborn in April and June, will return for a third time.
Jones is expected in Dearborn Sept. 7 and 8 to hold open meetings and appear in a Detroit court relating to a ruling issued in April by 19th District Court Judge Mark Somers.
Jones made his first appearance in Dearborn to protest “radical Islam” April 22, when he was scheduled to hold a rally in front of the Islamic Center of America, 19500 Ford Road. His protest was postponed after he was denied a permit to hold it.
Jones, along with fellow pastor the Rev. Wayne Sapp, were jailed for refusing to post a $1 peace bond. Both were released and returned a week later to hold the rescheduled demonstration in front of City Hall. The event was attended by a crowd of about 200 demonstrators and counter-demonstrators.
He came back June 17 to stage another protest and a walk to the Arab American Festival which began that day. After his demonstration, Jones, along with Sapp, Rabbi Nachum Schifren and evangelist Jack Coe, were confronted by members of pro-immigration group By Any Means Necessary in a violent altercation. Six members of BAMN were arrested following the incident.
Jones first made headlines in March 20011 when he ordered a copy of the Koran burned following a mock trial at his Florida-based congregation, the Dove World Outreach Center. The trial led to protests in the Middle East. At one such protest in Afghanistan, seven United Nations employees were killed.
(Daniel Heraty can be reached at [email protected].)