Some of the reactions to the attempted mass shooting in Garland, Texas were less than understand of the concept of freedom of speech.
The event, featuring Geert Wilders, a Dutch lawmaker and outspoken critic of radical Islam, offered $10,000 to the person who drew the best picture of Mohammad. While much of the reaction was outrage over the concept of two men, both of which were shot and killed by security, attempting to murder people for drawing a picture, some were less sympathetic.
Rukmini Callimachi, who describes herself in her Twitter bio as “Foreign correspondent for The New York Times, focusing on Islamic extremism,” questioned why anyone would hold such an event.
Free speech aside, why would anyone do something as provocative as hosting a "Muhammad drawing contest"?
— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) May 4, 2015
CNN contributor and Huffington Post employee Marc Lamont Hill had a similar take.
I understand and respect free speech. But to organize hate speech events, purely because you're legally allowed to, is disgusting.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 4, 2015
Radical cleric Anjem Choudary concurs.
#garlandshooting as if the US does not have enough problems already! After attacking blacks in Baltimore & now it's the turn of the Muslims!
— Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) May 4, 2015
#garlandshooting Freedom of speech does not extend to insulting the Messenger Muhammad (saw) & hence provoking the anger of 1/4 of the world
— Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) May 4, 2015
Glenn Greenwald, himself a major beneficiary of the First Amendment, wanted to make sure his followers knew the event was organized by people deemed “anti-Muslim.”
Two of the key speakers/organizers of the "Draw Mohammed" event in Texas are Pam Geller and Geert Wilders
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) May 4, 2015
The problem, it seems to some, isn’t those who would murder people who do/say/draw things they don’t like, but the concept of free speech itself.
PLEASE Be civilized, learn to respect other religions and don't stage such provocative contests. #garlandshooting https://t.co/lmoKX9PWNr
— hooria khan (@hooria_h) May 4, 2015
You can't say whatever you like and use "free speech" as a pass. And I don't have to support terrorism to say that either. #garlandshooting
— Nada Morrar (@nada_morrar) May 4, 2015
Not everyone, however, is blaming the victims of the attack.
My favorite drawings at the Muhammad cartoon festival in Texas were the two chalk outlines out front.
— Evan Sayet (@EvanSayet) May 4, 2015