Buffalo Newspaper Guild cancels event after cartoon depicting Trump supporters, Texas floods sparked backlash
"Public criticism of an editorial cartoon about Texas flooding published Tuesday in The Buffalo News, and malicious campaigning for individuals to protest and confront [Adam] Zyglis at this event, has resulted in a series of death threats against Zyglis and a deluge of other direct threats to hurt him and his family," the Guild wrote in a statement posted to social media. "
"Historic flash floods have struck Southern Texas, with at least 82 deaths and dozens more missing," a caption for the July 7th cartoon, drawn by The Buffalo News' editorial cartoonist Adam Zyglis, read. The image sparked backlash from conservatives.
"We wholly condemn the individuals who have chosen to twist a positive, public event into an attempt to terrorize and silence Zyglis, spread fear among journalists and their supporters, and distort the mission of a free press," the statement added.
The Guild said the event, which was meant to honor Zyglis, will be postponed, according to the statement.
The cartoon showed a man wearing a red MAGA hat being submerged under floodwaters in Kerr County, Texas, while holding a "HELP" sign. There is also a speech bubble of the man saying, "Gov't is the problem not the solution."
The News Guild also re-posted the Buffalo Newspaper Guild's statement, offering support for Zyglis.
Zyglis weighed in on the canceled event on his Instagram.
"Tonight's event at the Buffalo History Museum is unfortunately postponed to do safety concerns. Threats to me and my family are never an acceptable response to disagreeing with an editorial cartoon. Threats of violence have no place in a democracy that supports Freedom of Speech and the First Amendment," he wrote.
"The Buffalo News remains the largest news organization in Western New York. Its staff, including members of the Buffalo Newspaper Guild, are dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate information to the people who live and work here every day. The spiteful campaign to attack and harm Zyglis represents only one more example of the challenges we face as a community and the need to better communicate and support our vital, public role," the Buffalo Newspaper Guild's statement added.
Several liberal media figures and Democratic Party members came under fire for similarly politicizing the flash floods and blaming President Donald Trump and DOGE for causing the tragedy, despite reports that the National Weather Service office in the area had extra staff on duty at the time of the flooding.
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