norris.jpg
Image from Molly Norris' blog (MyNorthwest.com file)

Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris going into hiding

September 15, 2010 @ 7:27 am (Updated: 1:53 pm - 3/28/11 )

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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.

Listen to Molly Norris' April appearance on Dave Ross

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.

Listen: Molly Norris' May Dave Ross appearance

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

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Comments (45)


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  • Had enough yet, Libs? wrote...
    Her concern for her family
    September 16, 2010 9:43 am
    comes before her own safety.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • janeV wrote...
    ironic
    September 16, 2010 9:47 am
    When Molly was on the show Dave asked her if she would ridicule the Holocaust. He claimed it was "where the line was drawn". The fact that she was willing to ridicule Mo but not dead Jews led to cries of hypocrasy. I offered Dave a challenge. Since the "line is drawn" at the Holocaust why not post cartoons ridiuling Bosnian Ethnic cleansing, Baam Iran earthquake victims, slavery, Emit Till, Dafur? Never heard back from him. I ask Dave, why do you compare ridiculing the Holocaust to mocking Islam but would compare the hate speech that Jermiah Wright says about Jews to making fun of black people being lynched or slavery? Why doesn't disrespect towards Jesus get compared to making fun of Native American genocide? Are those equal too? If someone is unwilling to make fun of murdering Natives should they also refrain from ridiculing Christ? Does that make sense to you too? Why did Dave avoid pointing out that the Islamic world publishes things about Jews that they would execute you for publishing about Muslims or Arabs? Why if "the line is drawn" at the Holocaust won't Dave publish cartoons ridiuling genoicide against Muslims or Africans?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    ISLAM
    September 16, 2010 1:41 pm
    is a cult "religion" that should be outlawed. Religion of peace? What a load of crap.... Their beliefs are the most violent and intolerant on the planet. Their mission is to kill or convert anyone who disagrees or criticizes them or their FALSE PROPHET!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    (Rat)..ional
    September 16, 2010 10:07 pm
    So you have a yellow streak on your back too.She has to expect backlash to make her point Mr Poop Rational,most of the right hide or question their logic,I FEAR NO ONE,you have your right to disagree but your post sounds like the FBI needs to peek in your closet. I'm have never read the Koran or feel the need to make light of it.But I have read the "Bible" and ask a Christian for a copy and I'll forgive your sin
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  • rational wrote...
    hpitantso
    September 16, 2010 11:04 pm
    I'd respond, but your post is so irrational that it doesn't appear to have a point.

    The cartoonist was obviously an ignorant liberal who has no grasp on much of the world, and islam in particular.

    Should she have expected credible death threats from muslims...darn straight she should have. Should you mock her very justified fear? No. You can call for her to be brave, stay to her routines and potentially dodge bullets and daggers, but mocking someone's fear is foolish. Have you ever received death threats from muslims? I have. I haven't gone into hiding, but I didn't have a fatwa against me, just a few "moderate" muslims threatening to hunt me down (and they later hacked the website I had encountered them at and may have found out pretty much where I lived)...but I didn't change my name, quit my job and dump my friends and family.

    And for the record, I have my own copy of the bible, and I've also read the quran and some of the sunnah and hadith (it was helpful for the ministry I was working in to be familiar with the islamic scriptural sources).

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }