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Wisconsin Cartoonist Reacts to Paris Terror Attacks

Courtesy of Wisconsin State Journal

Phil Hands shared a profession and passion with those who lost their lives in Paris. He’s the editorial cartoonist for the Wisconsin State Journal, and the only in-house newspaper cartoonist in the state.

Secretary of State John Kerry may visit Paris later this week. The White House said it erred in not sending a high-level official to a unity rally there on Sunday. Millions took to the streets – including many heads of state – to show solidarity after gunmen stormed a satirical magazine, killing 12 people. The dead included cartoonists who created controversial images of the Prophet Muhammad.

Phil Hands draws a lot of cartoons about sports, but says his bread and butter is attacking Wisconsin politicians.

"Specifically Gov. Walker. I probably draw him in probably half of my cartoons. So most of my inspiration comes from reading the newspaper...and seeing what issues people are interested in," Hands says.

Hands says reader reactions to his cartoons are mixed.

"I do get called pretty nasty names. I was called 'evil' last week by a letter writer who took issue with some of my criticisms with Gov. Walker and you know, many Madison liberals have taken issue with some of the things I've said and they think I'm some tool of the right wing and Gov. Walker. I get it from both sides, people angry with my work, but usually it's good natured anger and people upset about what I'm doing, but I've never been threatened with physical harm by anybody," Hands says.

Hands says it's very scary, as a cartoonist, to think somebody would kill you because of your drawings or your beliefs.

"It hits close to home. We are a small community of cartoonists. I know most of the American cartoonists and I've had the pleasure of meeting many international cartoonists at various political cartooning events. So when one of your brothers is shot down because of their beliefs, it's scary," he says. "What should be noted, actually, is there is a strong history of cartooning in the Muslim world and I've met many Muslim cartoonists at various events and I know lots of them are really upset about this murder as well."

Hands says the terrorist attacks in Paris does not make him rethink his work. In fact, Hands says the incidents have made him more determined to call out hypocrisy when he sees it.

"To stand behind my art, and be the best cartoonist I can be and do the most important, valuable work I can do," he says.

In response to the attacks on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Hands drew a cartoonshowing a Muslim terrorists standing over a dead cartoonist with the caption, "We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad." It also depicts Hands himself, with the caption, "And we shall avenge Charlie Hebdo."

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