Although Act for America said the marches were specifically in opposition to Shariah law, the self-described grassroots organization with a focus on national security has been labeled as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Three people were arrested.
The demonstrations were held in more than two dozen USA cities, including Seattle, New York, Chicago and San Bernardino, California.
Using bullhorns, they taunted each other for about two hours under a sweltering sun.
Meanwhile, a number of counter-rallies have been scheduled in response to the "March Against Sharia".
Across the U.S., counter-protests were drawn to demonstrations against #Islamic Law by people who encouraged unfounded fears and inaccurate view of the religion.
About 30 people gathered at northwest corner of Wacker Drive and Wabash Avenue, carrying signs that read "No killing Gays" and "Sharia abuses women". Police then cleared the park while counter-protesters yelled at them. The Minnesota State Patrol arrested about a half-dozen people.
"The protesters were a bit rowdy", Thompson said.
Local police officers closely controlled the demonstrators and issued a few warnings but there were no arrests.
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"Today was a counter-protest to ACT for America's anti-Muslim protest", she said.
More than a dozen states have passed, or are trying to pass, laws to curb the possibility of Sharia law making its way onto the books in the US. She and other high-placed ACT members claim to be protecting free speech and so-called "traditional American values".
ACT for America, a lobbyist organization with ties to the Trump administration, organized the rallies under the banner "March Against Sharia". It says it condemns bias against religious groups and is "proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with peaceful Western Muslims as well as peaceful Muslims worldwide".
Hundreds of people marched through downtown Seattle, banging drums, cymbals and cowbells behind a large sign saying "Seattle stands with our Muslim neighbors".
The word Sharia means "the path," or "a road that leads one to water".
Denouncing Saturday's protests as anti-Muslim marches, Congresswoman Grace Meng, a New York Democrat, said: "These demonstrations are nothing more than attempts to fan the flames of hate, spread misinformation, and intensify anti-Muslim sentiment". Sharia is based on Islam's holy book, the Quran, and the life of Prophet Mohammed.
"This is a movement that opposes Sharia Law and oppression and is for human rights", says Ximena Barreto, who says she organized the march in conjunction with Latinas for Trump and ACT for America and Republican Woman of Oceanside.
FILE - In this Sunday, June 4, 2017 file photo, thousands of protesters gather in Portland, Ore., for competing rallies following last month's fatal stabbing of two men on a light-rail train by a man police say was shouting anti-Muslim slurs.



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