Je Suis Charlie - 1/7/15 - Image-a-day

I was sadden and horrified by the terrible news from Paris today of the brutal attack on the French satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdon". A few years ago I had heard about some French newspaper that had published some cartoons depicting Mohammad in an unflattering way and there had been death threats, but forgot about it until today's terrible news. I never heard of nor knew the magazine or the names of the artist, but know them now. Four cartoonist were murdered today for making fun of a religion. They drew funny pictures and made rude comments and that was enough to drive a few broken, deranged idiots to destroy them. Those four brave cartoonist were:

Stéphane Charbonnier "Charb"

Cabu

Georges Wolinski

Tignous

There were others killed in the attack, eight other people and more injured, and they too risked and gave their lives fro free expression. Tonight there were protests all across Paris and Europe, silent vigils of thousands carrying signs of solidarity that read, "Je Suis Charlie". I've been to Paris a couple of times and love the people and culture there. It makes my heart sick to think of the hate and violence of todays' events, but seeing those Parisans from all walks of life standing together reassures me that they will not be oppressed. 

"Je Suis Charlie" indeed. I thought about throwing out some snarky Mohammad cartoon, but my beef isn't with Islam or Muslims, the vast majority of whom are just as outraged at this tragedy as anyone else, so why throw more fuel on the fire? So instead, I drew my old underground comix character, 3-D Speed Freak saying "Je Suis Charlie", solidarity in the comix world and the real world too. Now is the time to stand with the Parisians and the French and all other lovers of art and free expression. 

Je Suis Charlie...

OK HW