We’ve arrived at the second anniversary of the Cartoon Jihad, which started when a Danish imam generated controversy over 12 Danish political cartoons plus a few that he faked. There are riots in Copenhagen, complete with French-style car burnings. Yet the police chief doesn’t know why people are rioting.
“We’ve had six arrests so far. They’ve been charged with throwing stones at police and setting fires to cars and waste containers,” Chief Inspector Henrik Olesen of the Copenhagen police told AFP.
At least 11 cars were torched in various neighbourhoods of Copenhagen, and 10 others in the nearby town of Kokkedal.
On Thursday, 17 youths were arrested for rioting the previous night.
“We don’t know why they’re rioting. I think it’s because they’re bored. Some people say it’s because of the cartoons but that’s not my opinion,” Olesen said.
Nothing to see here…
Update (AP): When I glanced at the story last night I figured they were reacting to the Danish papers republishing the turban-bomb cartoon in solidarity with Kurt Westergaard. But that didn’t happen until Wednesday and the riots have been going on for five days. What’s it all about, Alfie?
Update (AP): What’s it like for Westergaard these days? Ask a guy who knows:
For the past three months Kurt and his wife have been moving from house to house. In early November, they had a few hours to collect their most necessary belongings before they were driven to a safe location. They had to leave their car at home because the police wanted to create the impression that Kurt and Gitte were still living in the house. The mail was collected, garbage was removed, and an agent who physically resembled Kurt was installed in the house. This was done in case the plotters were to execute their plans to kill Kurt.
In the middle of December Kurt and Gitte returned to their house for just one day to celebrate Christmas with their family.
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