Republican Senate candidate attempts Quran burning at Michigan protest

A Republican candidate for the US Senate sparked controversy during an anti-Islam protest in Dearborn, Michigan, by attempting to burn a copy of the Quran. Jake Lang, who is running for Senate in Florida, was captured on video preparing to set fire to the Islamic holy book with what appeared to be lighter fluid before a counter-protester intervened to prevent the act.

Intervention and Escalation

The counter-protester successfully retrieved the book from the ground, telling Lang, "Don't burn it, man. You can't burn it." Undeterred, Lang announced he had another copy of the Quran and subsequently slapped a package of bacon on the holy book, which the same counter-protester described as "disrespectful." The situation escalated into a physical altercation as others attempted to remove the book from Lang's possession, eventually resulting in someone carrying it away from the scene.

Background of the Candidate

Lang received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. Following the protest, he attended a Dearborn City Council meeting where he told elected officials, some of whom are Muslim, "you guys don't live like we do. We don't want you in our country." His comments echoed the debunked "great replacement" conspiracy theory, claiming white Americans are being "driven out" and outbred by immigrants.

Political Condemnation

The Michigan Democratic Party chair, Curtis Hertel, denounced Lang's actions as "an unacceptable act of hate." In an official statement, Hertel described Dearborn as "a beloved, multicultural city with tens of thousands of people who are cherished friends, family members, and neighbors." He criticized Republican leaders and candidates for instigating the event, stating that "bringing hateful people to a great American city to incite violence is disgraceful."