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Safdar Khwaja, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, center, speaks to supporters who gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April FounderÕs Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry. People called sponsors to withdraw support from the event after it was found that Jeanine Pirro's would be honored. UPMC Health Plan, Dollar Bank and Trib Total Media are three sponsors that withdrew support. Ms. Pirro was scrutinized for her comments about U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Her appearance was ultimately cancelled due to the death of her mother. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
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Jeanine Pirro cancels Pittsburgh appearance, but that didn't stop St. Barnabas protest

Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette

Jeanine Pirro cancels Pittsburgh appearance, but that didn't stop St. Barnabas protest

A protest against Fox News host Jeanine Pirro — who was scheduled to speak Thursday at St. Barnabas’ Founder’s Day fundraiser — went on even though the political commentator canceled her appearance because of the death of her mother. 

The Council on American-Islamic Relations organized the demonstration after Ms. Pirro wondered on her show whether the hijab worn by new U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was “indicative of her adherence to Sharia law” and “antithetical to the United States Constitution.” 

Safdar Khwaja, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of CAIR, said it didn’t matter that Ms. Pirro did not come.  

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“The message, I believe, has been delivered, and that’s among the best things we can do,” Mr. Khwaja said. 

Jeanine Pirro, a former judge and Fox News analyst, in the lobby at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York, Jan. 3, 2017.
Sean D. Hamill
UPMC, Dollar Bank withdraw support of St. Barnabas fundraiser over Jeanine Pirro appearance

About 75 people, some with other social justice organizations and some who came on their own, joined the rally outside Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry, where the fundraiser was held. Protesters held signs with messages that included, “Don’t pretend racism in patriotism,” and, “St. Barnabas, why are you rewarding hate?”

After Ms. Pirro made the comments about Ms. Omar March 9 on “Justice With Judge Jeanine,” Fox News condemned her remarks, and several people called or wrote the 10 lead sponsors of the St. Barnabas event, asking them to withdraw support.

At least three of them — Trib Total Media, Dollar Bank and UPMC Health Plan — did so.

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Hassan Bakri, a dentist who worked for St. Barnabas as an independent contractor for 16 years, said he wanted to meet with the St. Barnabas CEO to express concerns from the local Muslim community about Ms. Pirro’s appearance. But he said the CEO, William Day, explained that it was a free speech issue and declined to meet with him.

“We respect free speech, we do cherish it in America,” Mr. Bakri said. “But when it comes to false speech, that is counterproductive and divisive.”

St. Barnabas officials could not be reached for comment.

Andrew Goldstein: agoldstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1352.

Jeanine Pirro, a former judge and Fox News analyst, in the lobby at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York, Jan. 3, 2017. Fox News criticized Ms. Pirro, one of its star personalities, after the host questioned if a Muslim lawmaker's religious beliefs undermined her loyalty to the United States.
Sean D. Hamill
Protest planned over Pirro speech in Cranberry after anti-Muslim comments

 

First Published: April 26, 2019, 10:26 a.m.

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Safdar Khwaja, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, center, speaks to supporters who gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April FounderÕs Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry. People called sponsors to withdraw support from the event after it was found that Jeanine Pirro's would be honored. UPMC Health Plan, Dollar Bank and Trib Total Media are three sponsors that withdrew support. Ms. Pirro was scrutinized for her comments about U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Her appearance was ultimately cancelled due to the death of her mother. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)  (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Safdar Khwaja, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, speaks to supporters who gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April Founder's Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry.  (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Robert Weiner, of Squirrel Hill, holds up a protest sign as he joins protestors who gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April Founder's Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry.  (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Mansoor Melik holds up a protest sign as he joins protestors who gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April Founder's Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry.  (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Alyssa, who chose not to give last name, of Carnegie, holds up a protest sign as she joins protestors who gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April FounderÕs Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry.  (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Dr. Hassan Bakri, of South Hills, holds an American flag while joining protestors who gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April FounderÕs Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry. Dr. Bakri resigned from his position at St. Barnabas after 16 years due to the honoring of Jeanine Pirro at the event. People called sponsors to withdraw support from the event after it was found that Jeanine Pirro's would be honored. UPMC Health Plan, Dollar Bank and Trib Total Media are three sponsors that withdrew support. Ms. Pirro was scrutinized for her comments about U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Her appearance was ultimately cancelled due to the death of her mother. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)  (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
People gathered to protest Fox News host Jeanine Pirro during a April FounderÕs Day fundraiser for St. Barnabas charities event where she was to be honored, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry. People called sponsors to withdraw support from the event after it was found that Jeanine Pirro's would be honored. UPMC Health Plan, Dollar Bank and Trib Total Media are three sponsors that withdrew support. Ms. Pirro was scrutinized for her comments about U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Her appearance was ultimately cancelled due to the death of her mother. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)  (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette
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