Anti-Islam Group Makes Stop at Murrieta Valley High School

An anti-Islam group handed out fliers to students at Murrieta Valley High School Tuesday in what school district officials called a peaceful outreach.

About a dozen members of Concerned Citizens for The First Amendment perched themselves on the sidewalk outside of the high school, handing out fliers to students walking by.

Across the street from the high school, a person unaffiliated with the group held up yellow signs that said, "Islam=Hate," and "Say No 2 Islam."

"Hi student--Did you know you were subjected to some really serious brainwashing when you were in the seventh grade, and that it is continuing even today?" the flier stated. "That means you have been fed a bunch of lies. Lies can mess up your life forever. Do you like being lied to?"

Seventh grade students in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District learn about the history of Islam as part of Social Studies. The letter accuses teachers of lying about Islam.

The fliers went on to provide book titles and links to YouTube videos about the history of Islam and what they believe is its tendency toward violence toward women.

The group has conducted what they call educational outreaches at other area high schools in the recent past, including Chaparral High School in Temecula in January, prior to the approval of mosque plans slated for a 4-acre parcel on Nicolas Road, down the street from the high school.

The group could not be reached for comment by publication time. The event did attract media organizations such as ABC 7.

The group also informed school district officials the day before that they planned to hand out the fliers, said Karen Parris, spokeswoman for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District. The district in turn sent a phone message home to parents, advising them:

"Under the first amendment, the group has the right to express their views on Islam and the building of mosques in the United States. Our students have the right to refuse the fliers or to accept the fliers, to engage in conversation, or to continue walking," the message sent home to parents stated.

"School staff and Murrieta police will be on hand to ensure that this is a peaceable exercise, as promised by the Concerned Citizens for the First Amendment.

"We will inform our students Tuesday morning to expect the group to demonstrate on the sidewalk along Nighthawk Way. Students may wish to leave school via Fullerton, the turnstiles by the athletic fields or toward Hayes through the student parking lot."

Many students crumpled up the fliers and threw them on the ground, according to a parent who was present.

"It really was a non-event," Parris said.

VIEW THE FLIER ATTACHED AS A PDF.