Officer: Shooting at Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas

[webfact]

Officer: Shooting at Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas

GARLAND, Texas (AP) — A provocative contest for cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a Dallas suburb was put on lockdown Sunday night and attendees were being evacuated after authorities reported a shooting outside the building.

An officer dressed in SWAT gear took the stage toward the end of the event at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland and told attendees, including an Associated Press reporter, that a shooting had occurred. He said one officer and two suspects were shot.

It wasn't immediately clear if the shooting was related to the event.

Police spokesman Joe Harn declined to confirm the SWAT officer's statements and said he had no details.

About 75 attendees were taken to another room. Later, a group of 48 people were escorted to a school bus. Authorities told attendees they would be taken to a nearby high school. A second group was set to be moved shortly after.

Johnny Roby of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was attending the conference. He told the AP he was outside the building when he heard about 20 shots that appeared to be coming from the direction of a car passing by.

Roby said he then heard two single shots.

He said he heard officers yell that they had the car before he was sent inside the building.

The New York-based American Freedom Defense Initiative was hosting a contest that would award $10,000 for the best cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad at the venue.

Such drawings are deemed insulting to many followers of Islam and have sparked violence around the world. According to mainstream Islamic tradition, any physical depiction of the Prophet Muhammad — even a respectful one — is considered blasphemous.

In January, 12 people were killed by gunmen in an attack against the Paris office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which had lampooned Islam and other religions and used depictions of Muhammad.

Pamela Geller, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative, said that she planned the Sunday event to make a stand for free speech in response to the outcries and violence over drawings of Muhammad.

Geller's group is known for mounting a campaign against the building of an Islamic center blocks from the World Trade Center site and for buying advertising space in cities across the U.S. criticizing Islam.

The group did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment late Sunday.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-05-04

[lemonjelly]

Depicting images with the sole intent to upset followers of a religion rather than make a stand for freedom of speech.....

[Ulysses G.]

Free speech remains alive and well in America. Kudos to Pamela Geller!

[jpinx]

Presumably there will be another set of competitions to depict Jesus as offensively as possible.

[NeverSure]

Depicting images with the sole intent to upset followers of a religion rather than make a stand for freedom of speech.....

Here's the deal about free speech and freedom of expression. You have free speech only if you can create speech that upsets people. Otherwise you wouldn't need the right of free speech.

Many countries restrict speech for, among other things, political reasons. Other reasons are that the speech offends someone. Those citizens don't have freedom of speech.

Sometimes Americans exercise their freedoms just to keep them well lubricated.

[zydeco]

Presumably there will be another set of competitions to depict Jesus as offensively as possible.

The equivalent happens on a routine basis and even finds itself put on museum display. And nobody is shot and killed.

[Scott]

Presumably there will be another set of competitions to depict Jesus as offensively as possible.

Probably not best to do that in the Bible Belt, though.

[zydeco]

The two suspects are dead. Police 2, Terrorists 0. This is Texas, not France.

[DeaconJohn]

The artists who depict religious symbols with contempt and disdain don't believe that art is morally neutral. They are making a point with their work under the guise of free speech.

Pamela Geller should understand the outrage. How would Jews feel if the Star of David was submerged in urine [Andres Serrano], or the Western Wall covered in pig dung [Chris Ofili], or the Torah splattered with blood?

[zydeco]

The artists who depict religious symbols with contempt and disdain don't believe that art is morally neutral. They are making a point with their work under the guise of free speech.

Pamela Geller should understand the outrage. How would Jews feel if the Star of David was submerged in urine [Andres Serrano], or the Western Wall covered in pig dung [Chris Ofili], or the Torah splattered with blood?

It's not a question of what they would feel but what they would do. Would they take out guns and bombs and ambush everyone they disagree with? Or would they protest, object, and then go on their way?

[Scott]

Here's a link to the two killed:

http://news.yahoo.com/officer-shooting-muhammad-cartoon-contest-texas-005227724.html

[webfact]

City: 2 gunmen killed outside Muhammad cartoon contest
NOMAAN MERCHANT, Associated Press

GARLAND, Texas (AP) — Two armed men who opened fire on a security officer outside of a provocative contest for cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad have been killed, authorities in the Dallas suburb of Garland said Sunday night.

The City of Garland said in a statement posted on its Facebook page Sunday night that two men drove up to the Curtis Culwell Center and began shooting at a security officer.

Garland Police Department officers engaged the gunmen, who were both shot and killed, the statement said.

The statement did not say whether the shooting was related to the event. The security officer's injuries were not life-threatening, the city said.

The gunmen's vehicle may contain an "incendiary device," according to the statement. A bomb squad was on the scene, and nearby businesses were evacuated.

The New York-based American Freedom Defense Initiative had been hosting a contest at the center that would award $10,000 for the best cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

Such drawings are deemed insulting to many followers of Islam and have sparked violence around the world. According to mainstream Islamic tradition, any physical depiction of the Prophet Muhammad — even a respectful one — is considered blasphemous.

Earlier Sunday, about 75 attendees at the contest were escorted by authorities to another room in the conference center before they were taken to a school bus. Authorities said they would be taken to another location.

Johnny Roby of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was attending the conference. He told The Associated Press he was outside the building when he heard around about 20 shots that appeared to be coming from the direction of a car passing by.

Roby said he then heard two single shots.

He said he heard officers yell that they had the car before he was sent inside the building.

Pamela Geller, president of the AFDI, said that the shooting showed how "needed our event really was."

She told the AP earlier that she planned the Sunday event to make a stand for free speech in response to the outcries and violence over drawings of Muhammad.

In January, 12 people were killed by gunmen in an attack against the Paris office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which had lampooned Islam and other religions and used depictions of Muhammad.

Geller's group is known for mounting a campaign against the building of an Islamic center blocks from the World Trade Center site and for buying advertising space in cities across the U.S. criticizing Islam.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-05-04

[Credo]

talk about "twisted logic". They deliberately run an event specifically designed to attract a violent response and then celebrate the death of two people. I hope the legal system sees this as some form of manslaughter -- but I'm not holding my breath.

No wonder the world hates USA

I assume the world also hates France then to. Oh and the Dutch. Oh, and maybe England for that Rushdie fellow?

Or perhaps it's just those who don't value Freedom of speech.

[NeverSure]

Presumably there will be another set of competitions to depict Jesus as offensively as possible.

Probably not best to do that in the Bible Belt, though.

C'mon, Scott. You know that isn't true.

[Pimay1]

I'm impressed with the Garland Police Department officers. Two shots, two kills.

[zydeco]

*Deleted post edited out*

Well, I don't know that the event organizers are celebrating the deaths of the two terrorists. But I am.

Edited May 4, 2015 by Scott

[zydeco]

Again, an article with an agenda. I and probably most people reading this article do not recognize Muhammad as a prophet. News articles should report facts. It is not a fact Muhammad was a prophet. Does the AP also refer to Jesus Christ as the Savior Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, why not? Should be consistent, shouldn't they? From the OP: "A provocative contest for cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a Dallas suburb was put on lockdown Sunday"

[NeverSure]

Depicting images with the sole intent to upset followers of a religion rather than make a stand for freedom of speech.....

Here's the deal about free speech and freedom of expression. You have free speech only if you can create speech that upsets people. Otherwise you wouldn't need the right of free speech.

...............................

I've read some drivel on TV over the years, but this takes the biscuit,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Total freedom of action demands total responsibilty for the consequences

Wrongo. Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins. WHO said those Muslims have any right to resort to violence just because they don't like what someone said or depicted? Civilized people don't resort to violence over free speech or expression.

If I stand on a street corner with a sign which says "Mohammed Sucks" then anyone can get a sign and say that I suck.

A society with a free marketplace of ideas is a civilized society. Those who can't handle that are like dictators.

[Ulysses G.]

Depicting images with the sole intent to upset followers of a religion rather than make a stand for freedom of speech.....

Here's the deal about free speech and freedom of expression. You have free speech only if you can create speech that upsets people. Otherwise you wouldn't need the right of free speech.

...............................

I've read some drivel on TV over the years, but this takes the biscuit,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Drivel" to you. Common sense to most people.

I read a few more of your posts and now I get it.

[Anthony5]

The two suspects are dead. Police 2, Terrorists 0. This is Texas, not France.

Probably because there were loads of police stationed outside in advance, since they knew that had started a provoking event on intend.

[rijb]

I'm impressed with the Garland Police Department officers. Two shots, two kills.

It was a security guard. I lived in Garland. If it was the Garland Police, there would have been two kills, many shots, and some nice groupings.

[Loptr]

Depicting images with the sole intent to upset followers of a religion rather than make a stand for freedom of speech.....

Here's the deal about free speech and freedom of expression. You have free speech only if you can create speech that upsets people. Otherwise you wouldn't need the right of free speech.

...............................

I've read some drivel on TV over the years, but this takes the biscuit,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Total freedom of action demands total responsibilty for the consequences

As opposed to what, religious fanatics that are encouraged to travel the world and murder anyone that disagrees with their version of reality in a religious context?

Of the over 5200+ deities worshiped on this planet today, name another religious group that executes anyone that does not believe in their doctrine?

[NeverSure]

I'm impressed with the Garland Police Department officers. Two shots, two kills.

It was a security guard. I lived in Garland. If it was the Garland Police, there would have been two kills, many shots, and some nice groupings.

The article above says it was two police officers. I believe it was a security guard who was shot, though. The news right now says his injuries aren't life threatening.

[zydeco]

The two suspects are dead. Police 2, Terrorists 0. This is Texas, not France.

Probably because there were loads of police stationed outside in advance, since they knew that had started a provoking event on intend.

Same in france. There were death threats against CH and the French police stationed one guy with a pistol outside and thought that was enough. The incident in Texas was starting out like a virtual replay. The two terrorists jumped out of the car with the intent to shoot up the event. But in Texas there was a sufficient reserve of police and the willingness to act, not pull their punches, and put down the two terrorists within seconds.

[Linky]

Fredom of speech is way over rated. The US public have proved time and time again they are not mature enough to have it.

As proved by morons having such a competition purely to antagonise others.

The organisers should be locked up.

[zydeco]

The disappointment and downright anger that the two terrorists failed in their mission to murder scores of people is palpable in several of the posters to this topic.

[NeverSure]

How about a cartoon contest about the prophet Moses?

Oh no, that would be antisemitism.

The most you should get is peaceful protests. Maybe a group with protest signs. Moses is meaningful to Christians including Catholics too but you won't get terrorist acts.

Do you really think that people don't make fun of the Christian and Jewish and other religions?

Do you think that violence is an appropriate response to what you consider to be an insult? Is that how you behave?

[NeverSure]

*Deleted post edited out*

No, profane stupidity is acting out violence just because you don't like what someone said or did. That's like caveman behavior. Oh wait. That's what I think the terrorists are.

Edited May 4, 2015 by Scott

[NeverSure]

So, we have people on this forum with thought processes that agree with terrorists.

Why am I not surprised?

[Pete Beale]

Again, an article with an agenda. I and probably most people reading this article do not recognize Muhammad as a prophet. News articles should report facts. It is not a fact Muhammad was a prophet. Does the AP also refer to Jesus Christ as the Savior Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, why not? Should be consistent, shouldn't they? From the OP: "A provocative contest for cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a Dallas suburb was put on lockdown Sunday"

You don't have to be a muslim to recognise that Muhammed is a prophet in many people's eyes. JC didn't claim to be a prophet, he claimed to be the son of god. If he was around nowadays he'd be locked up in a US mental institute.

If muhammed was around today in any half decent country he'd be locked up with the rest of the nonces in a sex offenders unit.