Anti-jihad ads to appear in subways

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NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Ads supporting Israel and likening jihad to savagery are expected to show up at 10 New York City subway stations next week, a transit spokesman said.

Aaron Donovan of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the city lost a federal court battle over its refusal to accept the advertisements opposing jihad, Islamic holy war, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer ruled the American Freedom Defense Initiative had a First Amendment right to place its ads at subway stations.

The ads read: "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man."

They conclude with the words, "Support Israel. Defeat Jihad" wedged between two Stars of David."

The American Freedom Defense Initiative also purchased ad space in Washington where the D.C. transit authority said it has "deferred" placement "out of concern for public safety, given current world events."

Pamela Geller, executive director of the group, told the Times in an email Washington transit officials are "kowtowing to the threat of jihad terrorism."

"Freedom must be vigorously defended," she said.