Police probe threat against activist

Associated Press

NEW YORK

The New York Police Department says it’s assessing a threat posted on a website related to the Islamic State group against the organizer of a cartoon contest about the Prophet Muhammad.

Blogger Pamela Geller organized the contest over the weekend in Texas, where two men started shooting before they were killed by police. She leads an organization called American Freedom Defense Initiative.

NYPD spokesman Stephen Davis said the threat names Geller. He said investigators from counterterrorism and intelligence bureaus met with her Wednesday and will do a “comprehensive threat assessment” to decide whether it’s credible enough to require security for her.

He hasn’t commented on the specific nature of the threat or what any security measures would look like.

Geller said she doesn’t regret organizing the cartoon contest. In fact, she plans to host more events just like it. Next time, though, she’ll be wearing a bulletproof vest.