America Is Surrendering Freedom of Speech as a 'Relic of History,' Activist Pam Geller Says After DC Metro Avoids Running Muhammad Cartoon Ads

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, May 29, 2015

Political blogger Pamela Geller, American Freedom Defense Initiative's Houston-based founder, speaks at the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest, which is sponsored by the American Freedom Defense Initiative, in Garland, Texas, May 3, 2015. Two gunmen opened fire on Sunday at the art exhibit in Garland, Texas, that was organized by an anti-Islamic group and featured caricatures of Muhammad and were themselves shot dead at the scene by police officers, city officials and police said. | (Photo: Reuters/Mike Stone)

Washington, D.C.'s public transportation system has rejected an ad depicting a cartoon representation of the Muslim prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, by adopting a ban on "issues" ads.

Michael Tolbert, spokesman for the Metro system, said in a statement that the ban would be in regard to any ads that are political, religious, or of a similar controversial nature and will last the remainder of the year.

"In the coming months, Metro will fully consider the impact that issue-related advertisements have on the community by gathering input from riders, local community groups and advocates," stated Tolbert, as reported by The Hill.

"Metro will also carefully examine the legal concerns related to displaying, or discontinuing the display of, issue-related advertisements."

The move came in response to an ad from the American Freedom Defense Initiative which submitted a request to include a cartoon depiction of Muhammad, which is considered offensive and sacrilegious to many Muslims.

Pamela Geller, founder and head of the AFDI, submitted the winning cartoon from the organization's "Muhammad Art Exhibit and Cartoon Contest" that was held in Garland, Texas, earlier this month where two Muslim terror suspects were shot and killed.

"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 Geller.

The AFDI's effort to have the Muhammad cartoon on D.C. Metro trains and buses comes just weeks after their Garland event was violently attacked at the Curtis Culwell Center by the two Muslim men who opened fire near the parking lot. A lone police officer was able to shoot and kill the gunmen before they could enter the building.

Sponsored by AFDI and hailed as a celebration of free speech, the event included a contest with a $10,000 prize for the winning caricature depiction of Muhammad.

Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, both of Phoenix, Arizona, were the perpetrators of the shooting and were reportedly influenced by the Middle Eastern terrorist group ISIS.

"Simpson had worshipped at the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix for about a decade, but he quit showing up over the past two or three months, the president of the mosque told The Associated Press."

The Metro's ban on issues ads comes as another Muhammad cartoon drawing contest is scheduled to take place in Phoenix Friday evening.

"An anti-Islam rally in Phoenix on Friday will feature a Muhammad cartoon-drawing contest.The scheduled location is outside the Islamic Community Center in north Phoenix," reported ABC 15 on Wednesday.