each day the Viennese could once again devour their enemies. ( the crescent and the star being the symbol of Islam) It was fitting that the symbol to be devoured was a bread, since it was the bakers who raised the alarm.

Yep, definitely has the ring of truth about it, Helen.

I think it's important to draw a distinction between commemorations and anti-<insert religion or nationality here> movements. Making and eating croissants isn't anti-Islamic any more than celebrating November 5th (which is, incidentally, tied in with the Spanish Armada/Inquisition being "at the gate") is anti-Catholic.

These commemorations are definitely standing against all that the religions/nationalities represented at the time of the relevant events - but we would hope that things have moved on since then.