An apparent terrorist attack yesterday on the Muhammad Art Exhibit in Garland, Texas, sponsored by longtime AT contributor Pamela Geller, was defeated when the attackers were shot to death by local police.

The exhibit was organized by Geller in defiance of efforts by jihadis and their enablers to muzzle free speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre, along with other terrorist attacks.  The First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest was hosted by the Curtis Caldwell Center, which had been the site for a “Stand with the Prophet” conference in January.  Geller led a successful protest against that event, and later one-upped the conference with the art exhibit.

The exhibit was coupled with a contest for the best portrayal of Muhammad, with a prize of $10,000.  Entries were accepted over the internet, and the winner was to be announced at the exhibit site.  (At this time, the winner remains unknown.)

The attackers pulled up in a car in front of the center as the event was ending and opened fire on a security officer.  (The officer was wounded, but not seriously.)  Local police then engaged the attackers, killing them both.  No injuries among the attendees have been reported.

The story is still developing, and details remain vague.  AT will (naturally) follow events closely and provide updates as they appear.

AT readers know Pamela Geller as a tireless and courageous activist against efforts by terrorists and their apologists (both domestic and foreign) to shut down public opposition to jihadi activities and to control the media narrative.  Geller has been at the forefront of the fight to defend Western values and interests against this novel and insidious threat.  This attack is clear evidence that she has been effective.

Geller has been caricatured by government figures, academics, and the legacy media – not to mention jihadis and their collaborators – as a malcontent, racist, and crackpot deliberately instigating “fear of the other” as regards Islamist terrorism.  While this attack should put an end to such slanders, we won’t be holding our breath.

AT salutes Pamela for her wit, her intelligence, her astonishing energy, and her unmatchable courage.  We will stand with her through whatever comes in the dangerous years ahead.  We encourage all Americans to do the same.