Amarillo Citizens against Repent Amarillo

Amarillo Citizens against Repent Amarillo also known by the acronym ACARA^[1] are protesters made up of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and atheists who gathered at Sam Houston Park in order to challenge the plan of David Grisham of Christian activist group Repent Amarillo, to burn the Quran on a grill (the book had been doused with kerosene). While Grisham was arguing with a group of women that placed their hands on the grill asking if he'd burn them too, it was when Grisham lit his lighter anyway that a 23-year-old skateboarding member named Jacob Isom snuck up from behind him, grabbed the Quran from Grisham's hands, and ran off after saying, "Dude, you have no Quran^[2]"; afterwards, Isom handed the book to a religious leader from the Islamic Center of Amarillo. Isom recalled that Grisham was "just trying to start the Holy Wars," while Grisham said that he was exercising his right to freedom of speech. Upon Grisham's Quran-burning plans being thwarted, he reportedly left the park; he later recalled, "I kind of expected the reaction." Enjoying a "hero" status, Isom took advantage of the publicity to appear on High Times website^[3] and to be featured some months later in the High Times Magazine.^[4] Isom was presented with a "Medal of Reasonableness" at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear for his action. He immediately threw the medal into the crowd.^[5]

Of notable mention is the wide range of classes Amarillo Citizens Against Repent Amarillo (ACARA)^[1] has within its ranks. Two well known members ran for Mayor of Amarillo, contesting David Grisham every step of the way. Cory "Grady" Traves is the head of ACARA's Peace Keepers detail, responsible for keeping the peace at the David Grisham for Mayor Rally.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amarillo-Citizens-Against-Repent-Amarillo/210413812023. Retrieved 2011-05-04. 
2. ^ Berzanskis, Cheryl. "'Dude, you have no Quran' | Amarillo Globe-News". Amarillo.com. http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2010-09-14/dude-you-have-no-quran. Retrieved 2011-05-04. 
3. ^ Hughes, Mike. "> Man Who Saved Koran Just Wants to Be in HIGH TIMES". Hightimes.Com. http://hightimes.com/news/mike_hughes/6697. Retrieved 2011-05-04. 
4. ^ "Amarillo’s "Koran Hero" to be Featured in High Times! | The Squawker – a Best of Texas blog". Blog.bestoftexas.com. 2010-09-16. http://blog.bestoftexas.com/.../amarillos-koran-hero-to-be-featured-in-high-times/. Retrieved 2011-05-04. 
5. ^ http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/10/live-video-stewart-colbert-rally.html