Bus ad targets local Muslims; ad rejected by SMART

(WXYZ) - A conservative group called the Freedom Defense Initiative wants to plaster SMART busses in metro Detroit with an advertisement that offers help to Muslims who want to leave their religion.

The ad has already been rolled out on busses in New York City, but the SMART system says it won't run the controversial ad on the sides of its buses.

The Freedom Defense Initiative is now filing a lawsuit against the regional bus system. The group claims its constitutional rights of free speech are being blocked.

The group says the ad is not meant to be inflammatory or offensive. Rather, it says, it's a service to Muslims who need help leaving Islam.

"This is a need that's not being addressed at all," says Pamela Geller of the Freedom Defense Initiative.

"I think this ad is being couched as being an issue of freedom of speech and the First Amendment, when actually it is purveying anti-Muslim sentiments," says Dawud Walid of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Geller responds with "Are you saying Muslims in America are against freedom of religion?"

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says the ad is meant to divide the Muslim community and promote Islamophobia. It applauds SMART for not running it.

A spokesperson for SMART tells Action News she hadn't yet seen the lawsuit and that it would be inappropriate to comment.