EXCUSE MOI?

Hebdo Editors: We Don’t Attack Religion

Only political use of it.

A group of editors from Charlie Hebdo defended themselves against attacks aimed at their publication Tuesday. The paper is set to receive the PEN American Center's Freedom of Expression Courage Award tonight. This has sparked backlash from some of the PEN members who contend that the publication is frequently racist in its cartoon depictions of Muslims. Hebdo's Editor-in-Chief Gerard Biard said the publication fights power, not religion exclusively. "Fighting against racism, fighting against all discriminations...." Biard said. “And we always fight the right wing...even more than religions.” Monday's attack at a Draw Muhammad event in Texas led some to question the difference between Pamela Geller's use of free speech and that of Hebdo's editors, especially in regards to portrayals of Muslims. Biard said Geller "wakes every morning and thinks, 'How can I defy these people?'" whereas he thinks: "Where's my coffee?"