BETHALTO - An organization that's all about encouraging more civility in political discourse seems to have stirred up a controversy of its own.

The River Bend affiliate of Coffee Party USA had been meeting for about five months at Ge Gee's Cafe in Bethalto, Mike Davis of the Coffee Party said the group had met once at the cafe since a recent ownership change.

Davis said he talked with the new owner, Jim Allen, and reserved space for the organization's next meeting on Sept. 11. He said he told Allen that a "patriotic American Muslim" would be the guest speaker.

A few days later, Davis said, Allen canceled the reservation.

Davis said Allen called the planned meeting "too edgy" for Bethalto and said he didn't want to host events