PORTAGE PARK — City Newsstand in Portage Park will be the only place in Chicago to buy the special edition of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published after a terrorist attack on its office Jan. 7 that killed 12 people.
City News Cafe owner Joe Angelastri said the newsstand has long prided itself on stocking every magazine published, and carried Charlie Hebdo — known for depicting the Prophet Muhammad, considered blasphemous by some Muslims — until it stopped being distributed internationally.
"We feel it is important for people to have an opportunity to buy this magazine," Angelastri said, dismissing concerns that the newsstand could be the focus on protests or violence.
"There may be some concern, but this is what we do," Angelastri said.
The cafe and newsstand at 4018 N. Cicero Ave. will have copies for sale at 7 a.m. Friday, according to its Facebook page. Originally Angelastri thought the magazine would arrive by Wednesday.
The copies will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to one per customer, Angelastri said.
"I expect demand to be greater than supply," Angelastri said.
Chicago-Main Newsstand in Evanston, owned by Angelastri, will also sell the special edition of Charlie Hebdo, Angelastri said.
Armed gunmen stormed the magazine's offices in Paris and killed 12 people Jan. 7 in an attack that officials said was prompted by the humor magazine's frequent depictions of Muhammad.
The cover by cartoonist Luz, who survived the attack, shows a crying Muhammad holding a sign reading "Je suis Charlie," the slogan adopted by supporters of free speech and expression horrified by the carnage. Above the cartoon are the words "Tout est pardonne" or "All is forgiven."
The magazine typically sells for less than $5.
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