PRESS CONTORTIONS. Turmoil at New York Press reached meltdown levels last night when editors walked out after being "ordered at the 11th hour to pull the now-infamous Danish cartoons from an issue dedicated to them," according to an email from resigned editor-in-chief Harry Siegel posted at the New York Observer website. Writes Siegel:

We have no desire to be free speech martyrs, but it would have been nakedly hypocritical to avoid the same cartoons we'd criticized others for not running, cartoons that however absurdly have inspired arson, kidnapping and murder and forced cartoonists in at least two continents to go into hiding. Editors have already been forced to leave papers in Jordan and France for having run these cartoons. We have no illusions about the power of the Press (NY Press, we mean), but even on the far margins of the world-historical stage, we are not willing to side with the enemies of the values we hold dear, a free press not least among them.

At present, the New York Press website seems virtually frozen in time though visitor posts have turned up and the site still sports annoying and deceptive "registry cleaner" pop-up ads. And Siegel's brief farewell post at the Press can be found here.

Meanwhile, violent clashes over the cartoons continue despite statements from Islamic leaders calling for peace. From Forbes:

"Islam says it's all right to demonstrate but not to resort to violence. This must stop," senior cleric Mohammed Usman [of Afghanistan] told The Associated Press. "We condemn the cartoons but this does not justify violence. These rioters are defaming the name of Islam."

The heads of the U.N., European Union and the world's largest Islamic group also urged violent protests to stop.

A joint statement (February 7) from Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and the EU chief Javier Solana declares

We are deeply alarmed at the repercussions of the publication in Denmark several months ago of insulting caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed and their subsequent republication by some other European newspapers, and at the violent acts that have occurred in reaction to them.

The anguish in the Muslim World at the publication of these offensive caricatures is shared by all individuals and communities who recognize the sensitivity of deeply held religious belief. In all societies there is a need to show sensitivity and responsibility in treating issues of special significance for the adherents of any particular faith, even by those who do not share the belief in question.

We fully uphold the right of free speech. But we understand the deep hurt and widespread indignation felt in the Muslim World. We believe freedom of the press entails responsibility and discretion, and should respect the beliefs and tenets of all religions.

But we also believe the recent violent acts surpass the limits of peaceful protest. In particular, we strongly condemn the deplorable attacks on diplomatic missions that have occurred in Damascus, Beirut and elsewhere. Aggression against life and property can only damage the image of a peaceful Islam. We call on the authorities of all countries to protect all diplomatic premises and foreign citizens against unlawful attack.

These events make the need for renewed dialogue, among and between communities of different faiths and authorities of different countries, all the more urgent. We call on them to appeal for restraint and calm, in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.

Previous coverage of the controversy is here.