The American Association of Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) expresses its support for political cartoonist Adam Zyglis and condemns unequivocally the threats of violence against him and his family as a result of the publication by the Buffalo News of an editorial cartoon drawn by him. Zyglis is a Pulitzer Prize winning artist and was this year’s recipient of the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award for editorial cartooning as well as the National Headliner Award. He is among the best of our nation’s political artists.

The response by some last week to Zyglis’s cartoon illustrating issues related to the flooding in Texas — expressing his opinion regarding the MAGA rhetoric about the role of government — caused the cancellation of an event sponsored by the Buffalo Newspaper Guild and the Buffalo History Museum as a result of “credible threats” to his and his family’s safety. The tragic irony is the event was planned as part of an effort to “Protect Local Journalism.” His cartoon was fair and effectively conveyed an important message. This is the proper and important role of political art in a democratic society. The AAEC also commends the Buffalo News for supporting Adam and its commitment to the importance of an independent and free press.

Journalism in all its forms is under attack now by a political party unafraid to threaten both violence and the elimination of Constitutional rights. With the acts of political violence over the past couple of years, including the assassination of a legislator in Minnesota in June, threats need to be taken seriously. “These death threats are a direct result of the license given to those who would change America itself by erasing the First Amendment,” said AAEC President Marc Murphy, also a former prosecuting attorney and now law professor. “Adam is one of our best. He’ll keep drawing. But threats like this also send a dangerous message to others who would express themselves, as is their right. I call upon our elected representatives and courts to ensure the criminal law is enforced in this case and that the Constitution and our right to freedom of speech is defended.”