New York: SIOA’s ‘Ground Zero mosque’ bus ad approved

Why There anti-mosque ad

Ads opposing a planned mosque near Ground Zero should soon be seen on city buses after the MTA signed off on their controversial design today.

A lawyer for the New Hampshire group behind the campaign called the decision “a victory not just for free speech but against political correctness and Mayor Bloomberg’s bullying.” Lawyer David Yerushalmi said the ads would be printed up and posted on city buses within the next 10 days.

The American Freedom Defense Initiative sued the MTA in Manhattan federal court last week to force it to accept the ads. They feature an image of an airplane headed toward the burning World Trade Center, along with a high-rise that’s labeled “WTC Mega Mosque” and the words “Why There?”

An MTA spokesman said: “While the MTA does not endorse the views expressed in this or other ads that appear on the transit system, the advertisement … was accepted today after its review under MTA’s advertising guidelines and governing legal standards.”

A spokesman for the mayor – who last week said mosque opponents “ought to be ashamed of themselves” – declined to comment.

New York Post, 9 August 2010

See also “SIOA co-founder: kill your liberal relatives and all Muslims”, Daily Kos, 3 August 2010