Dead-chimp cartoon draws outcry

NEW YORK - A New York Post cartoon that some interpreted as comparing President Obama to a violent chimpanzee that was gunned down by police drew outrage yesterday from civil rights leaders and elected officials who said it echoed racist stereotypes of blacks as monkeys.

The cartoon by Sean Delonas in yesterday's Post shows two police officers, one with a smoking gun, standing over the body of a bullet-riddled chimp. The caption reads: "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

The cartoon refers to a chimp named Travis that was killed Monday by police in Stamford, Conn., after it mauled a friend of its owner.

Some critics called the cartoon racist and said it trivialized a tragedy in which a woman was disfigured and a chimpanzee killed. Others said the cartoon suggested that Obama should be assassinated. Many urged a boycott of the Post and the companies that advertise in it.

"How could the Post let this cartoon pass as satire?" said Barbara Ciara, president of the National Association of Black Journalists. "To compare the nation's first African American commander in chief to a dead chimpanzee is nothing short of racist drivel."

The Rev. Al Sharpton called the cartoon "troubling at best given the historic racist attacks of African Americans as being synonymous with monkeys."

The cartoon set off a furious response against the Post. Its phones rang all day with angry callers. Protesters picketed its Manhattan offices, demanding an apology and a boycott and chanting, "Shut the Post down."

Post editor in chief Col Allan defended the cartoon, calling it "a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist."

The cartoonist told CNN the controversy was "ridiculous." Said Delonas: "Do you really think I'm saying Obama should be shot? I didn't see that in the cartoon."

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs declined to comment.