Over the past few months there has been an apparent explosion of violent rhetoric and hate crimes in this country, with Muslims, the LGBT community and immigrants in particular coming under vicious attack. In response to this growing atmosphere of violence an ad hoc group calling themselves “March Against Hate” are organizing a march from Central Park to Fox News headquarters in New York City this Saturday, October 23rd, to show of support for the communities which have been targeted in the recent horrific spate of hate crimes – and in protest at the role which Fox News has played in fomenting the bigotry, fear and hatred which encourages such crimes. 

"The event - “New Yorkers Say No to Bigots, No to Hate: Hold Fox News Accountable” - will begin with a rally at 11AM at Merchants Gate, the south entrance of Central Park (8th Avenue and 59th Street). At 1PM, those gathered will march to Fox News headquarters (6th Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets). More (including press info) here. Facebook page here. List of endorsers (continuously updated) here.

The organizers, who are based in NYC, were spurred into action by the increasing violence they saw and heard in their own city as well as around the country, citing the crazy rantings of Carl Paladino, Bill O’Reilly’s recent bigoted anti-Muslim comments on The View, the suicides of bullied gay young people, and the beating of a young Muslim by his schoolmates as just a few examples. It is their belief that the violent rhetoric that is contributing to the rise in hate crimes is encouraged by the media in general – and by Fox News in particular.

It’d be hard to argue against the group’s assertion that Fox has a lot to answer for in creating the current climate of division, fear, hate and violence. In the past few weeks we’ve reported on Bill O’Reilly’s anti-Muslim screeds, Fox Nation readers cheering a comment which suggested executing the President by firing squad, Brian Kilmeade blurting that all terrorists are Muslim, the Fox News “scary black man”meme, and Bill O’Reilly’s excuse-making for overtly racist creep and fellow sexist pervert Carl Paladino.

And then there’s the endless campaigning on Fox against the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” - you know, the Muslim community center that’s two blocks from the site of the former WTC south tower which housed (gasp) a mosque? – the one situated among all those wholesome, family-values, all - American bars and strip joints?

And let's not forget Glenn Beck...