The outcry from Comedy Central's decision to censor an episode of South Park with depictions of Mohammed last week spurred a cartoonist and a Facebook user to fight back. That is until they realized it might be. Seattle artist Molly Norris declared May 20th to be "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day," but is stepping away from that notion now. Today her web site says, "I am NOT involved in "Everybody Draw Mohammd Day!"
She doesn't appear to be alone. The creator of a Facebook page dedicated to the day has bowed out as well. Jon Wellington told the Washington Post (before abandoning ship) that he created the page because he "loved [Norris's] creative approach to the whole thing -- whimsical and nonjudgmental."
While he was still associated with his own event he said: "To me, this is all about freedom of expression and tolerance of other viewpoints, so I hope you'll help make this a sandbox that anyone can play in, if they want. I don't think it'd be right under the circumstances for me (or anyone) to censor inflammatory posts *ahem*, but let's be welcoming and inclusive, mmkay?"
Apparently the posts weren't "welcoming" enough, as on Sunday morning he announced his departure from the cause. "I am aghast that so many people are posting deeply offensive pictures of the Prophet," he writes. "Y'all go ahead if that's your bag, but count me out."
Did he think people were going to post flattering images?
That's what Facebook user Douglas Armstrong wondered too. "You created an event inviting people to submit pictures of Mohammed," Armstrong wrote. "And apparently you're so new to the Internet that you didn't foresee what would happen?"
Although Wellington had abandoned his cause, he apparently was sticking around to answer questions. To Armstrong's question, Wellington responded: "I guess I had more faith in human nature than was warranted."
Another user, Paul St. George, had little patience for Wellington. "If you're not going to attend your own event then take it down dumbass and quit boring us."
