Dive Brief:

• The Washington D.C. metro has issued a ban on all issue-related ads, putting a stop to a controversial "draw Muhammad" ad contest display by the American Freedom Defense Initiative. 
• The controversial cartoon ad depicted Muslim figure Muhammad saying the words, "You can't draw me," and was the winner of the "draw Muhammed" contest in Texas where two gunmen carried out an attack on the exhibition.
• Preventing just the American Freedom Defense Initiative's ad would have been federally prohibitied, so the D.C. metro decided on an issue-wide ban. 

Dive Insight: 

In the wake of a deadly attack on an exhibition in Texas for a "draw Muhammad" contest, the Washington, D.C. issued a ban on issue-related ads from appearing on its buses and trains, citing the safety of its riders as priority. 

The organization behind the ad campaign and the fatal event in Texas, the American Freedom Defense Initiative, says the decision is “an end run around the First Amendment," U.S. News & World Report said. The ads would have been marked with a line saying "Support Free Speech."

Still, more neutral ads also helps remove doubt that the city is supporting one side over another.