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Showing results for tags 'Quoran Burner Foiled'.
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Controversial Pastor Terry Jones was arrested near Lakeland, Florida today before he could set fire to almost 3000 Qurans at Loyce E. Harpe Park in Polk County. Jones was arrested during a traffic stop in Mulberry, Florida by Polk County Sheriffs and hauled away in handcuffs. Jones was spotted earlier in the evening at a Mulberry restaurant carrying a concealed weapon in the open which is illegal. A short time later, he was spotted in a parking lot using kerosene to douse books packed and loaded in a large, black barbecue smoker hooked up to the back of a white pickup truck. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, "He was potentially driving a bomb down the road had there been a crash". Judd said he had no choice but to arrest Jones and his driver. Another problem: Jones never obtained a permit to burn in the park. Judd also said, "We clearly told him, 'if you come to Polk County and violate the law, you will go to jail'...". Judd went on to say it was all about Jones breaking the law and not about suppression of free speech: "He had every opportunity to come here, we invited him to come here and exercise his First Amendment Rights, we told him, 'you can't burn, it's illegal'..." Both men are facing several charges, including unlawful transport of fuel. As for the almost 3000 Qurans, they are locked up as evidence at the Sheriff's office and the Sheriff say's it will ultimately be up to a Judge as to who will get them. Very few supporters and detractors had gathered at the park in anticipation of the event. Jones' wife stated, "We consider this to be an evil book, a false religion and very dangerous politically and socially".
