See Hitchens Protest

“1…2…3…4…Humor Is What Cartoons Are For!”

“5…6…7…8…Screaming on Friday is Really Great!”

Hopefully Christopher Hitchens and company will have better cheers than that when they march outside the Danish Embassy today at noon for a show of support for Denmark. In light of the ongoing violence in response to the publication of controversial cartoons, Hitchens thinks the U.S. has been shamefully silent and unsupportive of Denmark.

In his recent piece for Slate, Hitchens tossed out the march idea at the end…

I feel terrible that I have taken so long to get around to this, but I wonder if anyone might feel like joining me in gathering outside the Danish Embassy in Washington, in a quiet and composed manner, to affirm some elementary friendship. Those who like the idea might contact me at christopher.hitchens@yahoo.com, and those who live in other cities with Danish consulates might wish to initiate a stand for decency on their own account.

…and told us that he’d received thousands of emails in response, so he’s going forward with the idea.

Update, Feb. 22: Thank you all who’ve written. Please be outside the Embassy of Denmark, 3200 Whitehaven Street (off Massachusetts Avenue) between noon and 1 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 24. Quietness and calm are the necessities, plus cheerful conversation. Danish flags are good, or posters reading “Stand By Denmark” and any variation on this theme (such as “Buy Carlsberg/ Havarti/ Lego”) The response has been astonishing and I know that the Danes are appreciative. But they are an embassy and thus do not of course endorse or comment on any demonstration. Let us hope, however, to set a precedent for other cities and countries. Please pass on this message to friends and colleagues.

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