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Creator Of "Draw Mohammed" Campaign Backs Off, As Others Continue It

By Howard M. Friedman

Reacting to last week's online threats to the creators of South Park over their depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in a bear costume (see prior posting), Seattle artist Molly Norris created a poster promoting May 20 as "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day," sponsored by a fictional group, Citizens Against Citizens Against Humor. The poster also included sketches of items such as a coffee cup and a pasta box each claiming to be the real Mohammed. The poster spread virally on the Internet, creating a reaction for which Norris was unprepared. AOL News and the National Post yesterday both reported that Norris has now backed off, posting a statement reading in part: "I did not intend for my cartoon to go viral. I did not intend to be the focus of any ?group?. This particular cartoon has struck a gigantic nerve, something I was totally unprepared for." Also Jon Wellington who created a Facebook page publicizing Norris' efforts has also backed out, surprised at the deeply offensive drawings that were posted to his site. However now a Toronto IT specialist calling herself "Mimi" says she will promote the May 20 event. Also, Michael Moynahan at Reason has invited submissions that he says he will post on May 20.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on April 28, 2010 (boomark / email).