The local independent student newspaper published an editorial yesterday with Those Cartoons and the shit is hitting the fan as far away as in South Africa. Since the local student newspaper is independent of the university and Americans are zealous about their right to free speech, I doubt the University of Cardiff suspensions will be in order. But I daresay a lot of people will be unhappy about it.

Personally, I think it’s a very brave gesture to dare to show the student body what the fuss is all about. No riots on campus today, although it really depends on how the leaders of the local Muslim communities decide to react in the days to come.

Read about the night editor (see clarification in comments)Kiyoshi Martinez’s thoughts about the decision, post-publication reflections and catalogue of public reactions. More on Google News.

Here’s a tally of letters-to-the-editor responses published in today’s Daily Illini:

  • Cartoons are inappropriate - [1] [2] [3]
  • Editors showed courage at expressing free speech - [1]
  • I am proud to be an Illini alumnus - [1] [2]
  • Muslim outrage - [1]
  • Neutral statement from a Muslim student - [1]

Reactions so far seem to be teeming on the negative. Will be watching out for more soon.

Read intelligent local blogosphere reactions from theSquire and PeoriaPundit.

Update: Wikinews is carrying the story.