Blasphemous cartoon ad blocked from D.C. buses and train stations

The mass transit authority that oversees commuter buses and trains in the US capital is banning issue-oriented ads for the remainder of the year after receiving an ad proposal featuring a blasphemous cartoon of Islam’s Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny.

 

The mass transit authority that oversees commuter buses and trains in the US capital is banning issue-oriented ads for the remainder of the year after receiving an ad proposal featuring a blasphemous cartoon of Islam’s Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny.

The cartoon is a sketch by Bosch Fawstin. It won an offensive cartoon contest in Garland, Texas, that was unsuccessfully attacked by two gunmen earlier this month.

The contest’s sponsor, the American Freedom Defense Initiative, was also paying for the ad, which was intended to appear in five subway stations and on 20 buses throughout June at cost of $20,000.

The board of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority made the decision Thursday afternoon and plans to enforce the ban until completion of a review of its policies.
Without the broad ban, Washington-area officials likely would have been forced to publish the insulting cartoon.