Koran-burning pastor Terry Jones had to cut short a rally after he was drowned out by counter-protesters and hurled with shoes and water bottles.
Jones was attempting to hold a demonstration in Dearborn, Michigan, objecting to a ban that stopped a planned outside the largest mosque in America, which is nearby.
The controversial preacher was shouted down with abuse and chants from counter-protesters as he spoke in the heavily Arab community
A fracas had to be quelled by police in riot gear after people surged when Jones moved toward a barricade and began speaking to the crowd of about 700 opponents.
No one was seriously injured and two people were taken into custody.
Mayor of Dearborn, John O’Reilly Jr, told the Detroit News: ‘Even though we said, “Please don't go to the barricades,” he just ignored it. My assessment is this is a man without character.’
In his 90 minute speech, Jones criticised Islamic fundamentalists and President Obama.
The speech was difficult to hear as protesters jeered and drivers passing by sounded their horns.
Jones cut short the planned three hour rally, but said he was undeterred by the cold reception.
‘We're definitely coming back,’ he said. ‘I will not submit.’
Jones was last week banned from demonstrating at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan.
A jury decided his protest was 'likely to breach the peace' in the Detroit suburb with a large Muslim American population.
Jones had asked for a permit to stage a Good Friday demonstration on public land across from the mosque and four other churches where several thousand worshippers were expected.
Detroit area clergy and community activists have rallied against the planned protest by Jones, calling him a divisive figure who practices hate speech.
Other commentators have argued that police and prosecutors have overstepped the mark by trying to block Jones and violate the constitutional protection of free speech.
Jones, 59, is the leader of a fringe, fundamentalist church in Gainesville, Florida, who was unknown until his announced plans to burn a Koran catapulted him into headlines last year.
Jones has outraged the Muslim world with his publicity-grabbing protests against 'radical Islam'.
In a move that prompted riots in Afghanistan, Jones' tiny church in northern Florida burned a Koran last month following a mock 'trial' of the text.
Jones says he is not against all Muslims but believes their religion can lead to violence and terrorism.
His Dove World Outreach Center, a single-storey church backed by woods on the outskirts of Gainesville, reportedly has a congregation of only a few dozen adherents, including Jones family members and supporters, some of whom also wear guns.
The church's website has been offering for sale a book written by Jones entitled 'Islam is of the Devil', and also T-shirts, baseball caps and mugs emblazoned with the words.
Jones is a former hotel manager who was previously ejected from a church he headed in Germany by his own followers there.
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