Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Geert Wilders charged for exercising right to free speech

It is by now already common knowledge that Geert Wilders, Dutch parliamentarian and leader of the stalwart anti-Islamist Party for Freedom, has been charged by Dutch authorities with "insulting groups of people" and "inciting hatred against people of a certain faith." The supposedly offensive material was in speeches Wilders had made as well as in his short film released last year, Fitna, which juxtaposes verses from the Qur'an with Islamist terrorist attacks. This blatant attack on freedom of speech does not bode well for the future of Europe.

One feature of this incident not as well-known, however, is that the prosecutor had initially declined to file charges, until nine people filed complaints with the Dutch Court of Appeal. Nine people.

Small groups can make a big difference. Remember that.

And watch Fitna, if you haven't already, and decide for yourself if the movie itself is "insulting" or "inciting," and not the quotes presented therein:



You can contribute to Geert Wilders' legal defense fund at geertwilders.nl.

(Hat tip: Jihad Watch)

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