Woman arrested for defacing 'anti-jihad' ad in Times Square station

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
9/26/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Suspect defends action as freedom of expression

Reportedly angry with subway ads equating enemies of Israel as "savages," 45-year-old Mona Eltahawy spray-painted over one of the controversial signs and was promptly arrested. Reporters from the New York Post were on the scene and caught a classic exchange on the meaning of freedom of expression in a Democratic society.

Reportedly angry with subway ads equating enemies of Israel as 'savages,' 45-year-old Mona Eltahawy spray-painted over one of the controversial signs and was promptly arrested.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Mona, do you think you have the right to do this?" Pamela Hall said, holding a mounted camera as she tried to block the barrage of spray paint.

"I do actually," Eltahawy calmly responded. "I think this is freedom of expression, just as this is freedom of expression." Hall then positions herself between Eltahawy's spray paint and the poster.

Eltahawy is an activist who has appeared frequently in the media engaged Hall in an odd dance.

"What right do you have to violate free speech," Hall pleaded.

"I'm not violating it. I'm making an expression on free speech," Eltahawy replies.

"You do not have the right!" Hall said.

"I do actually and I'm doing it right now and you should get out of the way! Do you want paint on yourself?"

Eltahawy mocked Hall as she tried to defend the advertisement: "That's right, defend racism."

An MTA police officer and an NYPD cop finally arrived at the scene and arrested Eltahawy.

"This is non-violent protest, see this America!" she said as cops cuffed her. "I'm an Egyptian-American and I refuse hate."

Ordered to install the controversial ad campaign by court order, the 46- by 30-inch ads are plastered in 10 Manhattan stations, including busy Grand Central and Times Square Stations.

The American Freedom Defense Initiative, a pro-Israel group spearheaded by activist Pamela Geller, paid $6,000 for the ad space.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Mona Eltahawy, anti-Jihad, New York City, spray paint

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1 - 4 of 4 Comments

cherrie lynn blackwell
7 months ago
I find it very hypocritical that Mona believes in free speech only for herself.
KarlVDH
7 months ago
The actual text appears in the video. They really ARE hateful... MTA lost a court battle and HAD to put them up.
greg
7 months ago
It would have been nice to know exactly what the sign said, the author just states that it is calling them savages. Is that it? " Israel's enemies are savages" period? Maybe I can find another news site that can clear this up.
Robert Burford
7 months ago
Defacing property or painting an unwilling human is not freedom of expression. However the ad was very inflammatory and a protest was inevitable. Notice I am not commenting on the truth of the ad. Am I at war with Mona Eltahawy? No ! I respect Pamela Hall but not sure her defense was appropriate. Mrs Eltahawy will pay for her bad behavior. The police did their job and the courts will make Eltahawy pay and arresting her was the just thing to do. There were other ways she could have made her point. Another poster stating her views. However it would have instigated a similar protest on the other side. Did it change any ones mind on either side? I think not.

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