New York Post Chimp Cartoon

- Drawn by Sean Delonas
- Published in NY Post on February 18, 2009
- A few days before, a police officer in Connecticut shot a chimp who attacked a woman
- A picture of Obama signing the stimulus bill appeared one page before the cartoonNew York Daily News: New York Post has gotta apologize over offensive chimpanzee cartoon (February 18, 2009)
- Editor-in-chief Col Allan defended the cartoon and said it "broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy"Times: Protesters picket New York Post over chimp cartoon (February 19, 2009)
- Reverend Al Sharpton was one of the first people who publicly criticized the cartoon
- Allan called Sharpton "nothing more than a publicity opportunist"BBC News: 'Racist' US cartoon causes stir (February 19, 2009)
- State senator Eric Adams was among those protesting outside the paper's officeTimes: Protesters picket New York Post over chimp cartoon (February 19, 2009)
- White House press secretary Robert Gibbs declined to commentTimes: Protesters picket New York Post over chimp cartoon (February 19, 2009)

A cartoon published in the New York Post in February 2009, picturing a police officer shooting a chimpanzee, stirred controversy and allegations of racism. The controversy originated from one of the police officers saying "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill". Since President Barack Obama was the main person associated with the stimulus bill passed in February 2009, some say the cartoon was racist. The cartoon was published a few days after a police officer shot a chimp who attacked a woman in Connecticut.New York Daily News: New York Post has gotta apologize over offensive chimpanzee cartoon (February 18, 2009)
The Post issed a measured editorial apology for the cartoon on February 19. While apologizing to "those who were offended by the image," it criticizes public figures who "have had differences with The Post in the past... [and] see the incident as an opportunity for payback."New York Post: That Cartoon (February 19, 2009)
Reactions

Protesters gathered outside the New York Post's office the same day the cartoon was published. Those criticizing the cartoon said it was offensive because of racist stereotypes that compare African-Americans to monkeys, and because Obama was one of the main people behind the original stimulus package.Times: Protesters picket New York Post over chimp cartoon (February 19, 2009) Obama drafted the original American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which was passed in Congress after the House and Senate rewrote the bill.CNN: Obama: stimulus plan could create, save up to 4 million jobsJanuary 10, 2009)
Sean Delonas

Delonas is a cartoonist for the New York Post. His cartoons appear in the paper a few days a week. Delonas has previously stirred up controversy with his cartoons of Muslims and gay people.BBC News: 'Racist' US cartoon causes stir (February 19, 2009)