When armed terrorists attacked Charlie Hebdo headquarters over Muhammad cartoons on January 7, unarmed police officers were forced to flee for their lives. When armed men attacked people gathered in Garland, Texas, on May 3 over Prophet Muhammad cartoons, armed police cut them down — and the Daily Mail reported that the body of one was left lying the street while police searched for explosives.
The difference between Garland and Paris can be summed up in one word: guns.
Many— of those that knew this event was going to be held— saw this coming. An art context for illustrations of Muhammad. They were wise to have plenty of security on site. I don’t think I support the event. I’m conflicted. Directly mocking something someone holds sacred is a difficult thing. Shining light on the atrocities committed by and in the name of the figurehead of a major religion? I’m not sure. But I do support their right to do this. And I would gladly stand to protect that right.