Seattle cartoonist targeted for execution

July 12, 2010 @ 7:42 am (Updated: 2:21 pm - 3/28/11 )

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By DAN MITCHINSON
KIRO Radio

A Seattle cartoonist has been targeted for execution by a radical Islamic cleric.

The FBI has warned Molly Norris they consider the threat by Anwar al-Awlaki, who has ties to the failed Times Square bombing attempt, serious.

Norris gained international attention earlier this year when she drew a cartoon suggesting 'Everybody Draw Mohammed Day.'

At the time she told 97.3 KIRO FM's Dave Ross she was expressing her support for the show South Park, which featured the prophet in a bear suit.

"I just felt so much passion about what had happened, and I wanted to kind of counter Comedy Central's message they sent, about being afraid," said Norris.

As the concept grew, Norris began trying to distance herself from the campaign posting this message on her website on April 25th:

I make cartoons about current, cultural events. I made a cartoon of a 'poster' entitled "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!" with a nonexistent group's name -- Citizens Against Citizens Against Humor -- drawn on the cartoon also. I did not intend for my cartoon to go viral. I did not intend to be the focus of any 'group'. I practice the first amendment by drawing what I wish. This particular cartoon of a 'poster' seems to have struck a gigantic nerve, something I was totally unprepared for. I am going back to the drawing table now!

Drawing Mohammed is considered a big taboo among Muslims.

According to the New York Daily News, eight other authors and cartoonists are also targeted.

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Comments (42)


  • Add A Comment

  • Adumb wrote...
    Sick of it.....
    July 12, 2010 6:56 am
    Targeting cartoonists for execution just for saying "draw a cartoon" is also a "big taboo" in my book. How about a little "I for an I"??
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • juel wrote...
    Adumb
    July 12, 2010 7:47 am
    You are so right and I agree 100%. This kind of stuff could make me develope some predjudices that I haven't had. Gee if we women went after all the "dumb woman" jokes the world would be less populated.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cop4hire wrote...
    Eye for an eye?
    July 12, 2010 8:23 am
    Although I don't like how she backed off her comments right after the **** hit the fan I would gladly volunteer to be her body guard. If you want to be a Muslim and live by those rules, good for you. Leave us "non believers" alone.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    what a nightmare
    July 12, 2010 8:51 am
    I remember thinking at the time that her frantic back peddling was probably not going to deflect the wrath of Islamic extremeists. I hope this passes and she can get back to a normal life asap.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Whit wrote...
    I signed up too!
    July 12, 2010 9:01 am
    Where is my threat? We can have a holy war right on my front porch, just knock first!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DQuaale wrote...
    I think.....
    July 12, 2010 9:03 am
    I am going to draw a picture of Mohammed right now!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Roark wrote...
    Drawing Mohammed
    July 12, 2010 10:08 am
    If Muslims are against drawing Mohammed, then MUSLIMS shouldn't draw him. Believe what you want to believe. Everyone else is exempt! Get over it!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SassMcGhee wrote...
    Insane
    July 12, 2010 10:10 am
    With a president that sympathizes with Islam and a bunch of anti-American bleeding heart morons running the country I am not surprised this kind of crap is now going this far. There should be outrage over this and over the threats against the South Park cartoon creators and everyone else they threaten. It's like the big bully of the school threatening anyone he doesn't like and getting away with it because everyone backs down. George Bush may have been a crappy president but at least he recognized the threat that we face. Obama doesn't. And before anyone says it isn't ALL of Islam that is violent....I would think twice about that one. The silent majority says NOTHING. They don't condemn it, they don't distance themselves from it. They do and say NADA!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Concerned wrote...
    DON'T UNDERSTAND
    July 12, 2010 10:33 am
    Why doesn't Obama and his administration open their eyes and see that these threats are getting worse.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gomariners wrote...
    Prepare
    July 12, 2010 10:51 am
    Get a gun and take a weapons class along with shooting practice. Prepare for the worst. A bullet is faster than a knife. Shoot to kill. Maybe a couple of German Shepards too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }