When Pastor Terry Jones announced Thursday he would suspend the Quran burning, journalists who came to Gainesville from around the country became uncertain about their plans for the next two days.
After the announcement, anchors, reporters and photographers remained outside the church waiting to see what would happen next.
“We are grateful, but it’s still touchy because of so many issues,” said Debbie Huntting, an NBC freelancer who is based in Orlando. “I think there will be a long time before this issue is resolved. I am still holding on and staying.”
Steve Berrios from First Coast News in Jacksonville said the TV station also plans to remain in Gainesville at least through Saturday, despite the suspension.
Other reporters awaited orders from their headquarters on how to proceed.
Videographer Matt James from WJXT, a TV station in Jacksonville, said the station’s crew of six would also most likely remain through Saturday.
“We always have to be ready because he gives like a five minute warning before he comes out and talks,” James said of Jones.
Chief photographer for Agence France-Presse, Paul Richards, said he expects a Quran-burning cancellation.
“I don’t know the guy [and I haven’t] studied any of his stuff, but I am guessing he will go right up to the eleventh hour and have a vision and decide not to do it,” Richards said.
Despite the media circus, residents of the neighborhood across from the church were still going through their daily routines.
As they pulled into their driveways after work, some expressed concern about all the media attention Jones is getting.
“The man has a congregation of 50, and they are giving him the attention that Billy Graham wouldn’t get,” said Kathleen Stipek, a librarian at the Gainesville Public Library.
Her next-door neighbor Michelle Rucks said she is considering spending the weekend somewhere else because she is frightened for her safety and the safety of her 8-year-old daughter.
“I can’t even walk my daughter down the street because she asks me questions about some of the signs he has put up,” she said. “Something’s wrong with them.”
As reporters struggled to meet their deadlines, they remained outside the Dove World Outreach Center on Thursday night waiting for events to unfold — whether they be Jones’ next speech or further orders from their headquarters.
