Supporters and opponents of a proposed Islamic center and mosque near the World Trade Center site are set to hit the streets of Lower Manhattan today.

They’ll hold competing rallies for and against the $100 million project planned at 45 Park Place.

Security is being ramped up in anticipation of large crowds at today’s rallies.

Opponents of the plan say the project is insensitive to the families of September 11th victims.

But supporters say it needs to go forward as a sign of America’s support for religious freedom.

Debate over the plan took a national turn when President Barack Obama weighed in on the subject last weekend, saying Muslims have the right to build on land they own.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg — who supports the plan — later praised the president for his comments.

Retired New York City firefighter Jim Riches — who lost his firefighter son Jimmy on September 11, 2001 — says the president and the mayor overstepped by getting involved.

Riches says he knows the owners have the right to build the mosque but that seeing it will make visiting the site where his son died more painful.

“Muslims were dancing in the street celebrating the murder of my son that day, we still believe in religious freedom but it should be further away, show sensitivity for the families,” Riches said.

Meanwhile, Governor David Paterson continues to hold out hope that an alternative site for the mosque could be worked out.

The developers insist they have no plans to relocate, but Paterson says he still wants to meet with them about the possibility.

The governor said the World Trade Center site is hallowed ground, and should be treated with special consideration and sensitivity.

“Whatever reasons people may have to oppose this — there are always bigoted people who will oppose things. But leaving them out there is a sizable population that is really just reacting to the whole spectacle of this situation,” said the governor.

Paterson also said local politicians who support the site are thinking “clinically” by focusing on the fact that the developers have every right to build there, and disregarding its emotional impact.

(Source: NY1)