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Prophet Mohamed adverts submitted to Washington DC public transportation Prophet Mohamed adverts submitted to Washington DC public transportation
(7 months later)
The same group that held the Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest that prompted an attempted attack by two Muslim extremists in Texas has submitted the winning image to run as an advertisement on public transportation in Washington DC.The same group that held the Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest that prompted an attempted attack by two Muslim extremists in Texas has submitted the winning image to run as an advertisement on public transportation in Washington DC.
The American Freedom Defence Initiative – which is listed as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre – has said the First Amendment right to free speech protects the display of images of the prophet, which Muslims consider offensive.The American Freedom Defence Initiative – which is listed as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre – has said the First Amendment right to free speech protects the display of images of the prophet, which Muslims consider offensive.
.@PamelaGeller: showing Mohammed cartoon is about freedom of speech. But is it about the right, or what is right? pic.twitter.com/IJNU5xHk7y
“There is nothing about this cartoon that incites violence. It is within the established American tradition of satire. If America surrenders on this point, the freedom of speech is a relic of history,” said Pamela Geller, executive director of the AFDI, according to NBC 4.“There is nothing about this cartoon that incites violence. It is within the established American tradition of satire. If America surrenders on this point, the freedom of speech is a relic of history,” said Pamela Geller, executive director of the AFDI, according to NBC 4.
The Washington DC Transit Authority acknowledged that it had received the ads and would take them under consideration.The Washington DC Transit Authority acknowledged that it had received the ads and would take them under consideration.
”We are aware that an ad has been submitted,” Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said in a statement. “It is going through a review process and has not yet been approved for our system.“”We are aware that an ad has been submitted,” Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said in a statement. “It is going through a review process and has not yet been approved for our system.“
The AFDI has a history of controversial statements, often with anti-Muslim rhetoric. New York City banned all political ads from public transportation recently after the group tried to run “Hamas killing Jews” ads.The AFDI has a history of controversial statements, often with anti-Muslim rhetoric. New York City banned all political ads from public transportation recently after the group tried to run “Hamas killing Jews” ads.
Last month, the AFDI held its Prophet Mohamed drawing contest in Garland, Texas, which was interrupted when two Muslim men, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, tried to storm the event armed with assault rifles. They were killed by law enforcement before they could carry out the attack.Last month, the AFDI held its Prophet Mohamed drawing contest in Garland, Texas, which was interrupted when two Muslim men, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, tried to storm the event armed with assault rifles. They were killed by law enforcement before they could carry out the attack.
  
Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.