Public Safety Crist's Concern if Quran-Burning Event Goes Ahead

Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running without party affiliation in the U.S. Senate election, agreed on Tuesday with Gen. David Petraeus and the Obama administration that the event being led by Gainesville-based Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by burning Qurans will increase the dangers faced by American servicemen. Crist added that he will be keeping tabs on the event Saturday to ensure public safety.

I strongly agree with General Petraeus and others who warn that burning Qurans as a form of protest on Sept. 11 puts our fighting men and women overseas in grave danger, said Crist in a statement issued late Tuesday. In addition to being offensive, the Gainesville protest puts at risk those brave Americans who are fighting abroad for the freedoms and values that we believe in as Americans. As governor of the great state of Florida, I will be monitoring Saturdays situation closely to ensure the safety of all Floridians.