By JAMIE GRISWOLD
@jamiegriswold
MyNorthwest.com

Seattle Weekly reports Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris will be going into hiding at the suggestion of the FBI after threats on her life.

Norris was targeted for execution by a radical Islamic cleric in July.

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

Norris gained international attention with a cartoon she drew in April in response to Comedy Central's cutting of a portion of a South Park episode following a death threat from a radical Muslim group.

The cartoon showed various objects: a teacup, a cherry, a spool of thread, all claiming to be the real likeness of Mohammed, and declared May 20th "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day."

Norris appeared on KIRO Radio's Dave Ross show to discuss her intentions in drawing the cartoon in April.

The cartoon quickly sparked a heated controversy, and others took up the campaign as Norris tried to distance herself from the event, posting this message on her website after the cartoon went viral.

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!

Norris appeared once more on the Dave Ross Show to talk about how the campaign had run out of control, saying she no longer wanted any part in it.

"I'm against my own concept becoming a reality," said cartoonist Molly Norris in a May appearance on The Dave Ross Show.

Seattle Weekly says Norris will be moving and changing her name.

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