Posted May 4, 2015 12:02 AM ET; Last updated May 4, 2015 4:59 AM ET
[From article]
An American jihadi allegedly called for Charlie Hebdo-style attacl at a Texas 'draw Muhammad' event more than a week before it was attacked by two gunmen.
Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, a 25-year-old fighter with the Al Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia, is thought to have posted messages urging violence against the event in the city of Garland, pre-empting the eventual attack.
'Called for attack': Mohamed Hassan, 25, is thought to be behind a tweet calling for violence at the 'draw Muahmmad' event where two attackers were killed.
The two armed men were shot dead by security after they opened fire outside the Muhammad Art Exhibit event, where participants were told to draw the Islamic prophet - considered blasphemy by his followers - for the chance of a $10,000 prize.
Hassan is believed to have posted a message on Twitter calling for the violence on April 23.
A twitter account believed to be his wrote: 'The brothers from the Charlie hebdo [sic] attack did their part. It's time for brothers in the #US to do their part.'
This was followed by a hyperlink to a news story describing the event, which took place at Garland's Curtis Culwell Center Sunday night.
The account which posted the message was named Mujahid Miski, believed to be Hassan's jihadi alias.
Both the message and the account have now been removed from Twitter, but the call for an attack was recorded in passing by an article by Foreign Policy magazine published on April 27.
It noted in the piece that the account, @Hoor_Watermelon, claimed it was the 31st such page run by the same user after previous iterations were shut down.
According to the International Business Times, Hassan lived in Washington state and Minnesota before leaving the United States in 2008 to join Al Shabaab in Somalia.
[. . .]
Dead Suspect Roomates, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi.
The affiliations of the attackers remained unclear Sunday night. Law enforcement have yet to identify those involved, or give an idea of their motive.
However, the founders of the American Freedom Defense Initiative, which organized the event, linked it strongly to agents of the Islamic State.
Robert Spencer, who also runs the Jihad Watch website, said the attack 'was to enforce Sharia', the Islamic system of law.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3066897/It-s-time-brothers-U-S-American-jihadi-allegedly-called-attack-Texas-Muhammad-drawing-contest.html
'It's time for brothers in the U.S. to do their part': American jihadi allegedly called for attack on Texas Muhammad drawing contest
Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, 25, thought to have urged allies to violence
Twitter account thought to be his called for Charlie Hebdo-style massacre
Two men opened fire at 'free speech' event in Garland, Texas, on Sunday
Were killed by security - identities and motives remain unknown
By KIERAN CORCORAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 00:20 EST, 4 May 2015 | UPDATED: 01:24 EST, 4 May 2015
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'Extreme free speech': Geller's group was behind the contest that awarded a cash prize for a drawing of Muhammad in Garland, Texas on Sunday. The 56-year-old blogger has made a name for herself with such headline-grabbing 'extreme free speech' tactics. ['Extreme free speech' in this case refers to protected speech, by the United States Constitution.]
[2 videos embedded]
[From article]
The organizers of a provocative exhibition dedicated to depicting the prophet Muhammad where two alleged attackers were shot dead tonight said before that they 'knew the risks'.
Pamela Geller, the co-founder of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), vowed that she wouldn't be swayed from holding the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest in Garland, Texas, despite anticipating that an attack was possible.
Shots were fired at the event Sunday night, and two armed suspects, who were allegedly carrying explosives, were shot dead by event security after they opened fire.
In a post on her organization's website in late March, Geller insisted that the event was necessary to fight back against what she described as 'the jihad against freedom'.
On AFDI's website in late March, Geller said: 'We know the risks. Of course, this event will require massive security.
[. . .]
Any depiction of Muhammad is considered blasphemous and extremely offensive by Muslims.
[. . .]
Many media outlets do not publish any images of the prophet. Publications who do print such images are often subject to threats, or, in the case of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, actual attacks.
[. . .]
'But this exhibit has to be staged. If we don’t show the jihadists that they will not frighten us into silence, the jihad against freedom will only grow more virulent.
'And we hope that this event will give others the courage to stand up as well and show the world that they aren’t going to submit to intimidation.
'Otherwise, it is no exaggeration to say that all will be lost.'
Geller had faced opposition to the event, which she deliberately staged at the Curtis Culwell Center in the city because it had previously hosted a pro-Islam gathering.
According to the Dallas Morning News, locals in Garland said they were upset with the exhibit being held in their town, and tried to convince the city council to intervene.
[. . .]
The event had already been the subject of disapproval from further afield, according to ForeignPolicy.com.
The site obtained a letter from congressmen Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) and André Carson (D-Indiana) sent to John Kerry and Homeland Security asking them to bar a speaker for the event from entering the United States.
They asked that Geert [de] Wilders, a member of the Dutch parliament, be stopped at the border if he tried to attend.
[. . .]
In the end he was allowed to attend, and shots were fired just after he made a speech.
Boasting of his invitation ahead of the event, Geller had called [de] Wilders 'one of the very few politicians on the international scene who dares the speak the truth about the jihadist threat'.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3066821/Extreme-free-speech-group-refused-cancel-provocative-Muhammad-Art-Exhibit-despite-protests-told-world-know-risks.html
Extreme 'free speech' group refused to cancel provocative 'Muhammad Art Exhibit' despite protests - and told the world they 'know the risks'
Muhammad Art Exhibit event in Garland, Texas, was attacked on Sunday
Gunmen opened fire at event held by American Freedom Defense Initiative
Organizer Pamela Geller had written before that she knew there were risks
But insisted event had to go ahead to oppose 'the jihad against freedom'
Garland residents and Democrat congressmen opposed the event
By KIERAN CORCORAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 21:08 EST, 3 May 2015 | UPDATED: 01:36 EST, 4 May 2015
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[video embedded]
Geller has spearheaded campaigns to post controversial ads in the New York City transit system since 2010.
Also in Philadelphia: An ad from AFDI is seen on a Philadelphia bus featuring a 1941 photograph of Hitler and supporter Hajj Amin al-Husseini, a Palestinian Arab nationalist, in April.
[From article]
The controversial 56-year-old blogger, who was quick to call the shooting a 'war on free speech,' has made headlines over the years for her tactics.
Most recently when AFDI paid to have ads posted to New York City buses with the quote 'Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah' plastered all over.
[. . .]
'This is a war,' Geller wrote on her blog, Atlas Shrugs. 'This is war on free speech. What are we going to do? Are we going to surrender to these monsters?'
[. . .]
When a Chicago-based nonprofit held a January fundraiser in Garland designed to help Muslims combat negative depictions of their faith, Geller spearheaded about 1,000 picketers at the event.
One chanted: 'Go back to your own countries! We don't want you here!' Others held signs with messages such as, 'Insult those who behead others,' an apparent reference to recent beheadings by the militant group Islamic State.
The AFDI is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a watchdog organization that describes Geller as 'prone to publicizing preposterous claims
[Southern Poverty Law Center, is an extremist leftist organization, that attempts to silence conservative organizations, as the IRS did for many years, with the help of lawless Obama-Holder.]
[. . .]
An ad with the quote 'Killing Jews is Worship that draws us close to Allah' was denied because it could incite violence, the MTA said at the time.
In the ad, a man's menacing face wrapped with a checkered scarf is shown next to the quote, which is attributed to 'Hamas MTV.' It is followed by the words: 'That's his Jihad. What's yours?'
Judge John Koeltl said in a decision made public in April that the incendiary ad is speech protected under the First Amendment.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3066882/This-war-Woman-Muhammad-cartoon-contest-targeted-Texas-attack-long-history-anti-Islam-activism-including-controversial-NYC-transit-ads.html
'This is a war': The woman behind anti-Islamic Muhammad cartoon contest and her long history of hatred
Blogger Pamela Geller, 56, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative, has been highly critical of Islam for years
Geller's group was behind anti-Islamic ads that began appearing on New York City buses and subway entrances last year
She said Sunday that the shooting showed how 'needed our event really was'
By AP and JOSH GARDNER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 23:44 EST, 3 May 2015 | UPDATED: 03:06 EST, 4 May 2015
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Members of the Garland Police Department stand guard inside the Curtis Culwell Center in the aftermath of the shooting
[2 videos embedded]
[From article]
The bodies were not immediately taken from the scene because they were too close to the car, which police feared had incendiary devices inside. Residents later heard an 'explosion', suggesting a bomb was detonated by law enforcement on site, with some reports saying this was done using an Electronic Magnetic Pulse (EMP).
The SITE Intelligence Group reported that an Islamic State (IS) fighter claimed on Twitter that the shooting was carried out by two pro-ISIS individuals.
In a series of tweets and links, a jihadist named as Abu Hussain AlBritani, which SITE said was British IS fighter Junaid Hussain, claimed that '2 of our brothers just opened fire' at the Prophet Muhammad exhibition in Texas.
'They Thought They Was Safe In Texas From The Soldiers of The Islamic State,' added the tweet.
[. . .]
Those inside started to sing patriotic songs, including the national anthem and God Bless America, and said a prayer for the injured security guard after one woman pulled out an American flag form her bag.
The two suspects pulled up in a vehicle with with explosives, before getting out and firing at the officer, identified as 57-year-old Bruce Joiner, who was employed by the independent school district and wearing a 'police-style uniform'.
Mr Joiner was taken to hospital in a stable condition and was released later on Sunday evening.
[. . .]
Garland Mayor Douglas Athas told CNN the first suspect was shot immediately while the second was wounded when he reached for his back pack, and then shot again.
[. . .]
'We are here in defiance of Islam to stand for our rights and freedom of speech,' he said during his speech shortly before the building was shut down. 'That is our duty.'
His remarks were met with a standing ovation. He then told the audience that most terrorists are Muslims, and 'the less Islam the better.'
In 2009, he sparked controversy for showing a controversial film which linked the Koran to terrorism and has previously said the Netherlands is being taken over by a 'tsunami of Islamisation'.
[. . .]
The outspoken leader of Stop Islamisation of America then wrote on her personal website: 'This is a war. This is war on free speech. What are we going to do? Are we going to surrender to these monsters?'
In a post in late March, she insisted that the event was necessary to fight back against what she described as 'the jihad against freedom'.
[. . .]
The group spent $10,000 on 40 additional security officers, aware of potential threats they may attract, while Garland Police officers were fully prepared to deal with any issues that arose.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3066779/Police-officer-suspect-said-injured-shooting-outside-art-anti-Muslim-exhibition-art-depicting-prophet-Muhammad.html
Two gunmen 'carrying explosives' attack anti-Islam art contest in Texas: Suspects dead and security guard wounded at 'draw Muhammad' event that offered $10k prize
Two suspects were gunned down after shooting the guard in the leg outside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland
Building and surrounding area was placed on lockdown by a SWAT team with around 100 attendees still inside
Reports suggest the pair were carrying explosives as they approached the building in the Dallas suburb
Garland Mayor Douglas Athas said the second suspect was shot as he turned to reach for his backpack
The American Freedom Defense Initiative event offered a $10,000 prize for the best caricature of the prophet
Involved a keynote speech from far-right Dutch politician Geert [de] Wilders, who has linked the Koran to terrorism
ISIS fighter claimed on Twitter that the shooting was carried out by two pro-ISIS individuals
By WILLS ROBINSON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and TED THORNHILL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 19:39 EST, 3 May 2015 | UPDATED: 03:24 EST, 4 May 2015
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[From article]
GARLAND, Texas — Shots rang out this evening at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas during the Mohammed Art Exhibit and Contest. A law enforcement officer was shot and both suspects have been killed. Officers on the scene said that it is possible that explosives are in the area.
Attendees were immediately forced into lockdown by police, including three Breitbart News reporters. Sources say event organizer Pamela Geller and keynote speaker Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician, are safe. Breitbart Texas was conducting a live video interview with Geller at the moment of the attack.
[. . .]
GARLAND, Texas (AP) — Two armed men who opened fire on a security officer outside of a provocative contest for cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad have been killed, authorities in the Dallas suburb of Garland said Sunday night.
The City of Garland said in a statement posted on its Facebook page Sunday night that two men drove up to the Curtis Culwell Center and began shooting at a security officer.
Garland Police Department officers engaged the gunmen, who were both shot and killed, the statement said.
The statement did not say whether the shooting was related to the event. The security officer’s injuries were not life-threatening, the city said.
[. . .]
The New York-based American Freedom Defense Initiative had been hosting a contest at the center that would award $10,000 for the best cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
[. . .]
Pamela Geller, president of the AFDI, told the AP before Sunday’s event that she planned the contest to make a stand for free speech in response to outcries and violence over drawings of Muhammad.
[. . .]
Two men have been shot by police outside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas Sunday afternoon, Garland police have confirmed. Police said two men pulled up in a vehicle and shot a Garland ISD Police officer outside the building. The men were then shot and killed by Garland police.
http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/05/03/officer-and-two-suspects-down-in-gunfight-at-islamic-cartoon-contest-in-texas-possible-explosives-found/
SHOTS FIRED AT MOHAMMED ART CONTEST: OFFICER DOWN, TWO SUSPECTS DEAD, REPORTS CLAIMS EXPLOSIVES IN ARE
by BRANDON DARBY AND KATIE MCHUGH
3 May 2015
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