Saturday's act of protest took place in spite of published reports that the Pentagon had urged Jones to reconsider, expressing concern that American soldiers in Afghanistan and elsewhere could be put at greater risk because of the act.
A little more than a year ago, on March 20, 2011, Dove World assistant pastor Wayne Sapp burned a copy of the holy Quran and broadcast it on the Internet. Reports and images of the holy Quran burning incited violence around the World and especially northern Afghanistan in which at least 12 people were killed.
Dove World denied responsibility then for the deaths.
Only 20 people gathered Saturday on church property at 5805 NW 37th St. about 5 p.m. for the planned burning. Several Gainesville police officers were stationed across the street from the church or were patrolling the area. A few people watched the scene, but there were no protesters.
Controversial Jones demanded the release of the Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from an Iranian prison. Jones said Nadarkhani faces execution.
Jones spoke at a podium that was far enough away that he could not be heard by people along 37th Street. The event was streamed live over the Internet.
After the speeches, copies of the Islamic holy book and an image depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were burned at about 5:50 p.m. in a portable fire pit. Shortly afterward, officers in two Gainesville Police Department cars drove onto the property. With them was a GFR official, who issued the citation.
Several onlookers watched the event from across 37th Street. Some said they wished Jones and Dove World would stop its activities or relocate.
Jones first drew attention in July 2009, when he placed signs reading "Islam is of the Devil" on church property and when students who belong to the church later wore T-shirts with the words to public schools.
In September 2010, he drew international focus with a plan to burn Qurans. The U.S. government warned of reprisals against military in Iraq and Afghanistan if the burning took place. Barack Obama and the Vatican, among others, condemned the plan, which Jones later called off.
