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Issues of the day: Two dead at provocative cartoon contest
Texas gunmen: FBI crime scene investigators document the area around two deceased gunmen and their vehicle outside the Custis Culwell Center in Garland, US, on Monday
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span class="inline inline-center">Texas gunmen: FBI crime scene investigators document the area around two deceased gunmen and their vehicle outside the Custis Culwell Center in Garland, US, on Monday. Police shot and killed the men after they opened fire on a security officer outside the suburban Dallas venue. AP/Brandon Wade
Many 4, Online/AFP
Two gunmen were shot dead Sunday and a security guard were wounded outside a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest exhibition in Texas, US, authorities said, as a bomb squad investigated the gunmen's car.
The American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) organized the event featuring far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who has been outspoken against Islam.
'I am shocked. I just spoke for half an hour about the cartoons, Islam and freedom of speech and I had just left the premises,' Wilder told AFP in an email.
Your comments:
The organizers were really stupid to host an event like this. They shouldn't use freedom of speech to justify their real purpose, which is to ignite and spread hatred.
The gunmen were equally stupid; had they succeeded, thousands of Muslim Americans would no doubt have been targeted in retaliation.
Simba
I am a strong supporter of freedom of speech and deplore attempts to deny it. However, there is a difference between freedom of speech and baiting people.
Jagera
This is not an event that I would ever take part in. However, the extreme reaction points to a problem with Islamist movements. Why is the answer to every criticism always a bullet with these people?
Lasem Benny
I don't think killing is the answer, but what do you expect when you put on an event like this?
Why would you make an event specifically to make fun of somebody's religion?
As the pope said, freedom of speech is great, but if even a good friend made fun of my mother, I would punch him in the face.
Don't complain about Muslims not being tolerant if all you do is curse them and spit on them. If you didn't, I can guarantee that this wouldn't have happened.
Every religion has crazy extremists that are easily manipulated to enact violence.
But if the angry, gullible and easily riled didn't have Islamophobes to point to, their propaganda wouldn't be effective, would it.
Tolerance and respect should be the goals, not blanket freedom of speech, unless you also support freedom of retaliation. What happened in Texas was predictable. Uncontrolled freedom without respect is severely problematic.
Deca
Such a cartoon contest is insensitive and surely its sole purpose was to spread division and provoke fury.
It's a shame a security guard just trying to do his job was hurt, rather than the event organizers.
Jakfan
If you disagree with another person, then by all means engage in debate or peaceful protest.
No one has the right to become violent and harm people or property just because he or she is offended at something someone else said, wrote or created.
Dick Tracy
Freedom of speech does not allow someone to instigate fear or mass panic. If you cried 'fire' in a crowded place, or urged others to violence, you would be prosecuted.
I feel this cartoon festival falls in the same category. Yes, the US has freedom of speech, but it should be understood that this entails a degree of responsibility. This exhibition was inspired by hatred.
The organization was wrong to hold it. The gunmen were wrong in their response. The whole sorry mess could so easily have been avoided.
X Simaging
The police did a great job, preventing innocent people from being killed. If you have a problem with something, there are peaceful ways to express yourself.
Killing people does not help.
Troy
If you push people's buttons to get a violent response and you succeed, then you are equally to blame. These people are looking to incite and inflame, and the touch of racism does not help either.
Wilders and friends need to take a long hard look at themselves.
Julian Campbell
Why react with violence? I understand that this exhibition was insensitive, but there are better responses than going in all guns blazing, literally.
Norris
Don't let emotions run your life, let God solve your problems. Never falter in your love for the Prophet Muhammad, the master of all creation and artwork!
Usri
Perhaps I shouldn't say this, but it's too bad they missed Wilders. He is a dangerous man. His political program is nothing but hate, hate and hate.
Johnny Yunus
