By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Furious protesters who claim plans for a downtown mosque disrespect the memories of 9/11 victims packed Zuccotti Park Sunday despite being denied a permit for their demonstration.
About 300 people, many carrying signs containing anti-Muslim slogans, met at Church Street and Liberty Steet after being denied permission to gather in the privately-owned area opposite the World Trade Center.
But the numbers were so great, police let them flow off the sidewalk and into the park.
The demonstration was organized by a group called Stop Islamization of America, which hopes to prevent a mosque, called the Cordoba House, being built on the site of the former Burlington Coat Factory building on Park Place.
"We felt it was not right to build a mosque right here on the site where thousands were slaughtered," said Tom Scala, 67, who is a member of a group called Veterans Against Jihad and traveled from North Carolina to attend the protest.
"We felt we couldn't go to bed at night without doing something about this problem. We have nothing against Muslims, Islam is the problem."
The protesters' message has already been rejected by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said it was a matter of religious freedom.
The plans for the 13-story mosque and community center have also been approved by Community Board 1.
Police were out in force to control Sunday's event, which was peaceful.
Desiree Bernstein, whose brother-in-law Billy Bernstein died on 9/11, said she was worried about Muslim influence in the U.S.
"I have no problem with Muslims," she said.
"But I've had it with Sharia law. I am not about to see my nation fall under Sharia law."
Narain Kataria, 75, who founded a group called the Indian American Intellectuals Forum, said, "It is an insult and humiliation to the families of more than 3,000 victims of 9/11."
The crowd chanted "USA!" and sang "God Bless America" while holding up signs, many of which associated Islam with violence.
The message offended some passers-by.
Upper West Sider Katie Hain, 39, who was visiting the area with her family, said, "Just because you are Arab or Muslim doesn't mean you are a terrorist."
