WGXC-90.7 FM
Again, threats against Delaware County Muslims
Nov 28, 2015 4:29 pm
Julia Reischel in The Watershed Post reports that there's a second threat from an armed American to drive across the country to attack Islamberg, a community of about 25 African-American Muslim families in the Delaware County town of Tompkins. Jon Ritzheimer, an ex-Marine from Phoenix, Arizona, posted a video on Facebook Oct. 18, with a handgun by a car, saying that he is on his way to Islamberg. Ritzheimer and thr group have tussled before. "In June, Islamberg and its parent organization, The Muslims of America (TMOA), ran an article in their newspaper, The Islamic Post, calling Ritzheimer a member of “The American Taliban," The Watershed Post reported. Paul Holstein, the media representative for the Albany Field Office of the FBI, released a statement: "The FBI vigorously investigates threats and allegations of hate crimes. After recently becoming aware of a video which could have been perceived as threatening against the Muslim community in Hancock, NY, the FBI immediately took steps to notify our federal, state and local partners. The FBI and New York State Police have maintained communication with the community to keep them informed of pertinent information. As always, we remain committed to protecting the civil liberties of Americans and make every effort to preserve their safety." The New York Daily News on Nov. 27 reported the FBI has issued a formal alert calling Ritzheimer a “potential threat to law enforcement,” but an FBI spokesperson in Albany would not confirm that fact for The Watershed Post. Read the full story in The Watershed Post.