DC Metro Bans ‘Issue-Oriented’ Ads

The transit authority in Washington, D.C., on Thursday banned all “issue-oriented” advertisements from Metro stations and buses, after receiving a proposal to feature an ad with the Prophet Muhammad. The Metro board voted to prohibit political, religious, and other issue ads through the remainder of the year, spokesman Michael Tolbert said. The board will seek input from community groups and advocates and examine legal issues before it makes a decision whether to continue the ban at year’s end. This week, Pamela Geller, who hosted a Texas contest to draw the Prophet Muhammad that was attacked by two gunmen, submitted a request to print an ad with the winning cartoon in five subway stations in the Washington area.