Muslim visitors were welcomed to the Texas Capitol on Thursday to discuss issues affecting their community, but one Republican state lawmaker had this to say.
White posted the comment as an estimated 1,000 Muslims came to Austin for “Texas Muslim Capitol Day” on Thursday.
Hundreds of #TX Muslims gathered for 'Texas Muslim Capitol Day.' Protesters are shouting over the speaker @keyetv
However, protesters were there to greet them.
As group of Muslims gather for Texas Muslim Capitol Day at #txlege, these protestors are nearby
Angry protestors screaming over Muslim speaker during Muslim day at the State Capitol.
Anti-Islam protesters at Texas Muslim Capitol Day screaming "go home!" and "Mohammad is dead!" #txlege
Some young people who attended the event looked visibly upset as protesters heckled them.
PHOTOS: Protesters make appearance during Muslim Day at Texas Capitol: http://t.co/KozvfFqX8Y #txlege
White’s comment drew support, but also backlash on social media.
@MollyWhiteTX you are making yourself, Texas, and Christianity look so bad with that move. Thankful to not be represented by you.
@MollyWhiteTX Ashamed to share our state with you. This statement is exactly why people despise your party and their shameful rhetoric.
White's office said in a statement issued late Thursday that she welcomes all constituents who want to visit the Capitol.
As law abiding American citizens, we all have the privilege and the right to freedom of speech granted to us by the First amendment (sic), and believe fully in the democracy that our nation is founded upon. As a proud Texan and American I fully denounce all terrorist groups or organization who's (sic) intent is to destroy the great state of Texas and our Nation.
The event, which is organized by the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), kicked off with a rally and press conference in the morning.
Participants are then given the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and attend a program on political activism.
"Texas Muslim Capitol Day will provide Muslims with an opportunity to benefit Texans state-wide by urging lawmakers to support issues that affect people of all faiths," CAIR said in a statement describing the event.
The event has occurred since 2003 and the group has received threats before, CAIR spokeswoman Ruth Nasrullah told BuzzFeed News.
However, this year the group received gun threats on a Facebook page against the event.
Nasrullah said the group reported the threats to the FBI and the local police department.
She said that the hecklers did not affect the success of the event, calling the rally a success.
"As our crowds got more or more excited, we really drowned out the voices of the hecklers," she said.