#publisher Daily Express UK RSS Feed Daily Express Search Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. sunday_express_logo ____________________ (BUTTON) * Find us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter * Check us on Google+ * Subscribe to our rss feed Daily Horoscope Our Apps Top 10 Our Paper Paper Archive Weather 4° London * HOME * News * Showbiz & TV * Sport * Comment * Finance * Travel * Entertainment * Life & Style * UK * World * Politics * Royal * History * Science * Weird * Nature * Obituaries * Sunday * Scotland * Weather * Home * News * UK * Artwork using toys to mock ISIS banned from FREEDOM OF SPEECH exhibition over attack fears Artwork using toys to mock ISIS banned from FREEDOM OF SPEECH exhibition over attack fears SATIRICAL artwork using children’s toy characters from the Sylvanian Families to mock Islamic State (ISIS) has been banned from a freedom of speech exhibition over fears it could spark a TERROR ATTACK. By Nick Gutteridge PUBLISHED: 09:26, Tue, Sep 29, 2015 | UPDATED: 09:55, Tue, Sep 29, 2015 Sylvanian Family characters dressed as ISIS militants lurk in the background of a family picnic scene MIMSYThe artwork mocking ISIS was banned from an exhibition The sinister twist on the popular children’s toys has been pulled from the schedule at the Passion for Freedom exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries after police raised "serious concerns" about the possibility of a terrorist atrocity against visitors. It mocked the Islamist fanatics by showing them lurking in the background of ordinary family scenes depicted as characters from the popular Sylvanian Families toy set. But detectives feared crazed jihadis would take offence and launch a reprisal attack in response to the heavily mocking artwork - which lampooned their group's targeting of defenceless families. Related articles * Britain faces biggest terrorist threat in decades as MI5 stop six... * Now sick Islamic State terrorists urge Britons to join them and... Officers told exhibition organisers they would have to pay £36,000 to hire extra security if the piece was displayed, forcing them to remove it from visitors. The decision provoked outrage from both the artist, Mimsy, and people online, who said the terrorist group should not be able to dictate what the British public can see. Sylvanian Family characters dressed as ISIS militants lurk in the background of a family pub scene MIMSY Police told gallery owners there was a risk of a terrorist attack Sylvanian Family characters dressed as ISIS militants lurk in the background of a family beach scene MIMSY Critics said the terror alert amounted to censorship George Hall tweeted: "Does England already let ISIS control things? Who banned such a work?" Talk Radio host Jon Gaunt blasted the decision as "a real attack on free speech by cowardly cops", while Tory columnist Toby Young raged: "God forbid that we should say anything offensive of the homicidal psychopaths." Author Ben Goldacre added: "Dear The British Police, I want you to protect free speech from violence, maybe spend less time on cannabis smokers?" Many people also pointed out the irony of such a piece being banned from an exhibition where the main theme was freedom of expression. Sylvanian Family characters dressed as ISIS militants lurk in the background of a school scene MIMSY Detectives said the satirical piece was inflammatory ISIS militants raise their guns in the air in the desert GETTY The artwork lampooned ISIS militants God forbid that we should say anything offensive of the homicidal psychopaths Tony Young It showed Sylvanian Families toys including mice, hedgehogs and foxes enjoying family activities like picnics and sunbathing whilst others dressed as ISIS militants lurked in the background. The artwork - which mockingly referred to the group as MICE-IS - was designed to show how ISIS fanatics threaten every aspect of western life. A description for the piece, called ISIS Threaten Sylvania, said: "Far away, in the land of Sylvania, rabbits, foxes, hedgehogs, mice and all woodland animals have overcome their differences to live in harmonious peace and tranquillity. "MICE-IS, a fundamentalist Islamic terror group, are threatening to dominate Sylvania, and annihilate every species that does not submit to their hard-line version of sharia law." It was created by London-based artist Mimsy, who said she was dismayed it will now not be exhibited. She said: "I love my freedom. I’m aware of the very real threat to that freedom from Islamic fascism and I’m not going to pander to them or justify it like many people on the left are doing." Related articles * Vladimir Putin's ULTIMATUM for the West: Want to defeat... * Notorious British jihadis hit with travel bans as United Nations... A spokeswoman for the gallery said: "Mall Galleries was approached by Westminster Police who expressed concern about the potential risks of including Mimsy’s work. "They made it clear there would be an additional policing cost if the work was included in the exhibition and indicated this cost would be passed on either to the artist or to the exhibition organiser." Related articles * PUTIN goes to WAR against ISIS: Stop dithering and FIGHT, Russian leader tells West * Genocide of the Christian Martyrs laid bare: Sick ISIS butchers CRUCIFY thousands in Syria * SAS V ISIS: UK special forces race to destroy terrorist gas plant that could kill MILLIONS * Now France joins FIGHTBACK: ISIS training camp obliterated by six French fighter jets * Superpowers in ISIS standoff: Obama blasts Putin on Syria & relations with 'tyrant' Assad Most Read Stories in UK * 1 Mystery of BIONIC GIRL who doesn't eat, sleep or feel pain - even when hit by a CAR Mystery of BIONIC GIRL who doesn't eat, sleep or feel pain - even when hit by a CAR * 2 Outrage at numbers of obese CHILDREN needing weight loss surgery Outrage at numbers of obese CHILDREN needing weight loss surgery * 3 Flyers ‘too light’ for jets: RAF pilots have to fatten up for new fighter aircraft Flyers ‘too light’ for jets: RAF pilots have to fatten up for new fighter aircraft * 4 UK tax OUTRAGE: Millions face double whammy of higher bills and bigger public service cuts UK tax OUTRAGE: Millions face double whammy of higher bills and bigger public service cuts * 5 ‘Leave Britain or face death threats’ Man dubbed ‘Lotto Lout’ warns £33M lottery winners ‘Leave Britain or face death threats’ Man dubbed ‘Lotto Lout’ warns £33M lottery winners middle class tax outrage millions double whammy higher bills bigger cuts council budgets middle class tax outrage millions double whammy higher bills bigger cuts council budgets UK tax OUTRAGE: Millions face double whammy of higher bills and bigger public service cuts RAF hero forgives Gulf War torturers on anniversary of capture RAF hero forgives Gulf War torturers on anniversary of capture ‘I don't hate the Iraqis’ - RAF hero forgives Gulf War torturers on anniversary of capture Man dubbed ‘Lotto Lout’ warns £33M lottery winners Man dubbed ‘Lotto Lout’ warns £33M lottery winners ‘Leave Britain or face death threats’ Man dubbed ‘Lotto Lout’ warns £33M lottery winners Tory split widens as party launches fightback against Eurosceptics ahead of EU vote Tory split widens as party launches fightback against Eurosceptics ahead of EU vote Tory split widens as party launches fightback against Eurosceptics ahead of EU vote http://games.express.co.uk/quizzes-games?game=arkadiuminc13/can-you-gue ss-these-18-logos WATCH: The plane that can eject the entire cabin to save lives in emergency WATCH: The plane that can eject the entire cabin to save lives in emergency WATCH: The plane that can eject the entire cabin to save lives in emergency Botched fat freezing treatment at Luton salon left Marcela Petrasova ‘scarred for life’ Botched fat freezing treatment at Luton salon left Marcela Petrasova ‘scarred for life’ Fat freezing treatment costing £250 left woman ‘SCARRED for life’ Alan-Rickman-fans-share-picture-Snape-lookalike-touching-tribute-belove d-actor Alan-Rickman-fans-share-picture-Snape-lookalike-touching-tribute-belove d-actor Alan Rickman fans share picture of Snape lookalike in touching tribute to beloved actor Conservatives for Reform in Europe CRE when is the EU referendum Brexit Conservatives for Reform in Europe CRE when is the EU referendum Brexit Pro-EU Tories FIGHT BACK against exit bid as MP warns young will be ‘cut off from world' Health Lottery results Saturday January 16 2016 Health Lottery results Saturday January 16 2016 Health Lottery results: Winning numbers for Saturday January 16 2016 National Lottery results Wednesday January 16 2015 National Lottery results Wednesday January 16 2015 National Lottery results: Winning numbers for Saturday January 16 2016 draw Eu referendum Brexit boost leave campaign lead poll Britain Brussels Cameron Eu referendum Brexit boost leave campaign lead poll Britain Brussels Cameron Boost for Brexit hopes as leave campaign opens up HUGE lead in EU referendum battle Soldiering On Awards 2016 My dog inspired enjoy life Soldiering On Awards 2016 My dog inspired enjoy life Soldiering On Awards 2016: My dog has inspired me to enjoy life once again Block legal aid illegal migrants fight stay UK Block legal aid illegal migrants fight stay UK Block on legal aid for illegal migrants who fight to stay Former soldier risked five years jail rescue four-year-old Calais Jungle camp Former soldier risked five years jail rescue four-year-old Calais Jungle camp A former soldier risked five years in jail to rescue four-year-old from Calais Jungle camp Flyers jets RAF pilots fatten up fighter aircraft Flyers jets RAF pilots fatten up fighter aircraft Flyers ‘too light’ for jets: RAF pilots have to fatten up for new fighter aircraft Doctor Who Matt Smith Prince Philip Netflix original series The Crown Doctor Who Matt Smith Prince Philip Netflix original series The Crown Doctor Who's Matt Smith to play Prince Philip in new Netlix original series The Crown Father British redcap killed Iraqi mob government inaction Lance Corporal Thomas Keys Father British redcap killed Iraqi mob government inaction Lance Corporal Thomas Keys Father of British 'redcap' killed by Iraqi mob accuses the government of inaction Jet2 airline controversy lure poach RAF pilots advertising Jet2 airline controversy lure poach RAF pilots advertising Jet2: Controversy over airline's £65k lure in bid to poach the RAF’s pilots Daily Express Shaming Britain blood health disease Shaming Britain blood health disease Shaming of Britain over blood workers Scotland earn more British counterparts first time new study reveals workers Scotland earn more British counterparts first time new study reveals Workers in Scotland earn more than their British counterparts, new study reveals obesity children weight loss surgery epidemic Boris Johnson Sadiq Khan sugar tax obesity children weight loss surgery epidemic Boris Johnson Sadiq Khan sugar tax Outrage at numbers of obese CHILDREN needing weight loss surgery Blue Belt expand protect British sea life nature Blue Belt expand protect British sea life nature A "Blue Belt" to be expanded to further protect British sea life Leeds legal red light district new Yorkshire Ripper fears Peter Sutcliffe women safe Leeds legal red light district new Yorkshire Ripper fears Peter Sutcliffe women safe Leeds' legal red light district sparks 'new Ripper' fears for working women Jewish peer escaped Nazis saves 150 trapped Christians ISIS daesh Jewish peer escaped Nazis saves 150 trapped Christians ISIS daesh Jewish peer who escaped from the Nazis saves 150 trapped Christians from ISIS Gems heist raid police global hunt fugitive Basil Hatton Gardens Gems heist raid police global hunt fugitive Basil Hatton Gardens Gems raid police go global in hunt for fugitive ‘Basil’ Amy Johnson plane bid sparks dogfight Amy Johnson plane bid sparks dogfight Amy Johnson plane bid sparks dogfight robbery foiled Yorkshire postman combine harvester Andrew Waldron Simon McCluskey robbery foiled Yorkshire postman combine harvester Andrew Waldron Simon McCluskey Bungling robbers foiled by OAP, postie... and a combine harvester Desert Storm Persian Gulf War Iraq Saddam Hussein Antony Mawston Navy Desert Storm Persian Gulf War Iraq Saddam Hussein Antony Mawston Navy 25 years after Desert Storm, I am still haunted by a dead man's body floating in the sea.. Pothole penis artist returns highlight roads problem Wanksy Pothole penis artist returns highlight roads problem Wanksy Pothole penis artist returns to highlight roads problem Rioters’ anger ‘justified’ according to Jeremy Corbyn’s new equalities MP Rioters’ anger ‘justified’ according to Jeremy Corbyn’s new equalities MP ‘Racist police’ not violent thugs to blame for UK riots says Corbyn’s new equalities MP Painstakingly sorted recycling DUMPED IN LANDFILL by councils Painstakingly sorted recycling DUMPED IN LANDFILL by councils RE-CYCLING CON: Painstakingly sorted by you, DUMPED IN LANDFILL by councils David Cameron housing hypocrisy Notting Hill rent John Healey George Osborne David Cameron housing hypocrisy Notting Hill rent John Healey George Osborne Cameron trousers HALF A MILLION in rent while cracking down on social housing Woman rare tear duct cancer surgery repair hole face Woman rare tear duct cancer surgery repair hole face Woman with rare tear duct cancer had surgery to repair hole on her face Archbishop Justin Welby fixed Easter date before retirement talks with Pope Archbishop Justin Welby fixed Easter date before retirement talks with Pope Archbishop Justin Welby hopes to announce fixed Easter date 'before his retirement' Brrr-itain set to be blanketed by snow as temperatures match weather in Iceland Brrr-itain set to be blanketed by snow as temperatures match weather in Iceland Brrr-itain set to be blanketed by snow as temperatures match weather in Iceland Louise Richardson free speech Oxford University Louise Richardson free speech Oxford University Extremists shouldn't be banned from preaching at British universities, Oxford chief says revenge porn ex jailed pretend cancer avoid court revenge porn ex jailed pretend cancer avoid court Man jailed for posting revenge porn then pretending to have CANCER to avoid trial 600 Brits stopped Syria ISIS jihadis raqqa turkey philip hammond 600 Brits stopped Syria ISIS jihadis raqqa turkey philip hammond Intelligence chiefs stop 600 Britons joining warped Islamic State terrorists in Syria Paedophiles rapists let off cautions facing courts Paedophiles rapists let off cautions facing courts Paedophiles and rapists let off with cautions instead of facing courts Was murder of Brinks Mat gang boss John Palmer connected to Hatton Garden heist? Was murder of Brinks Mat gang boss John Palmer connected to Hatton Garden heist? Was murder of Brinks Mat gang boss John Palmer connected to Hatton Garden heist? alarm beach washed away overnight Devon alarm beach washed away overnight Devon Alarm over beach that washed away OVERNIGHT in Devon New law Muslims Sharia prosection New law Muslims Sharia prosection Publicly demanding Sharia law and hate messages towards Army could become illegal Calais migrant crisis refugees attack British school coach rocks violence Calais migrant crisis refugees attack British school coach rocks violence New migrant shock: Coach full of British schoolchildren 'ATTACKED by Calais refugees' VIDEO Woman headscarf police knife attack bus VIDEO Woman headscarf police knife attack bus Horrifying CCTV shows moment woman in a headscarf tries to stab teen, 15, on London bus Millions pension boost government plans Millions pension boost government plans Millions get pension BOOST: State pension revolution will make retirement more comfortable Hatton Garden heist new images vault devasted Hatton Garden heist new images vault devasted Hatton Garden heist: New images reveal vault devastated by £14m 'Dad's Army' raid British mother accused taking toddler Syria join ISIS ran for border British mother accused taking toddler Syria join ISIS ran for border British mother accused of taking toddler to join ISIS 'ran for border to escape jihadis' Earl wife tied up terrifying raid Goodwood House Earl wife tied up terrifying raid Goodwood House Earl and wife left tied up in terrifying £700k raid on Goodwood House Standing Premier League matches could re-introduced if trial successful Standing Premier League matches could re-introduced if trial successful Standing at Premier League matches could be re-introduced if trial is successful http://games.express.co.uk/gamedetails/crusader-crossword/ [1] SEARCH ____________________ (BUTTON) CONNECT WITH US * Find us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter * Check us on Google+ * Subscribe to our rss feed * Check our YouTube channel TODAY'S PAPER todays-paper Sunday, 17th January 2016 See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. News * UK * World * Politics * Royal * History * Science * Weird * Nature * Obituaries * Sunday * Scotland * Weather UK Politics * Political Parties * Politicians * Constituencies Sport * Football * Transfer news * Cricket * Tennis * Rugby Union * F1 * Golf * Boxing * Racing * Other Pics * Galleries Vids * Videos Comment * Columnists * Express Comment * Beachcomber Finance * Personal Finance * City & Business * Retirement * The Crusader Travel * Activity Holidays * Beach Holidays * Cruise * Short & City breaks * Travel News Entertainment * Films * Gaming * Theatre * Music * Books * Puzzles Puzzles * Horoscope * Offers * Competitions * Bingo * Jackpot Millions Life & Style * Health * Diets * Life * Garden * Food * Style * Tech * Property * Saturday * Cars * Win * S Mag * Top 10 Facts EXPRESS.CO.UK * Sitemap * Site Archive * Contact Us * Advertising * Privacy Policy * Cookie Policy * Terms & Conditions * Design by Netro42 * Syndication and Licensing * Clarifications and Corrections * Daily Star * OK! Magazine * new! Magazine * Star Magazine * Health Lottery Northern and Shell Copyright ©2016 Northern and Shell Media Publications. "Daily Express" is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.