Dutch anti-Muslim leader (Geert Wilders) goes on trial Monday

Source: German Press Agency Via The Sacramento Bee

AMSTERDAM -- Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders goes on trial Monday for inciting racial hatred, as his party - the third largest in parliament following June elections - prepares to work with the Netherlands' new ruling coalition.

Numerous supporters of Wilders - including nearly all of the 24 parliamentarians of his Party for Freedom (PVV) - are set to attend proceedings at the district court in Amsterdam.

Wilders is facing charges of incitement to hatred, discrimination against Muslims and insulting Moroccans and other non-Western foreigners. He is responsible for the anti-Islam film "Fitna" and has made numerous provocative statements about Muslims in speeches and interviews.

If convicted, the 47-year-old faces up to 16 months in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 euros ($13,800).

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/10/03/3076363/dutch-anti-muslim-leader-goes.html

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Geert_Wilders">Wikipedia article on his trial




Robert Spencer, Geert Wilders, David Horowitz, and Pamela Geller.
(Originally posted by Scurrilous http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4511859&mesg_id=4511885">here)


Geert Wilders & Pamela Geller

"fomenting hate and discrimination against non-western foreigners and/or Moroccans because of their race" and "hatred against Moroccans and non-Western immigrants"

References here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Geert_Wilders#cite_note-16

Can't say I blame them given their history.

I don't know much about Wilders, but the previous leader of this movement, Pim Fortuyn, who was murdered, was an out homosexuals and hard core liberal. It was not reich wing at all. His point was that the muslims were reich wing, and wanted to stone to death everybody who believed in liberal society.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_for_Freedom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geert_Wilders

This is a completely different person fueled by hatred and xenophobia. If he's a liberal, then I'm Che Guevara.

His point was that the muslims were reich wing, and wanted to stone to death everybody who believed in liberal society.

That's not a point. That's really ugly hatred on display. Also, I recall you posting in threads about Wilders before, so I'm wondering why you claim not to know much about him. There's a very good reason why centre-right parties across Europe have expressed dismay at the Dutch govt taking Wilders party into the new coalition. It's because it's a party that incictes hate and which any decent liberal should be appalled by...

a neo-Nazi who's mission is to spread his ugly hatred.

I agree with you and I am totally appalled.

Theo van Gogh died for doing so.

who lives in the Netherlands, told me about this clown. He apparently came to the USA and made some nasty remarks also about Islam and was involved in the protests at ground zero. I am sure my friend is very happy, this guy is going to trial.

advocate challenges presiding judge's comment on opening day of Wilders' trial for inciting racial hatred

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/04/geert-wilders-trial-halted

Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Freedom party and one of Europe's leading Islam-baiters, went on trial today charged with hate speech and inciting racism, but the case was swiftly engulfed by uncertainty after a challenge over alleged judges' bias.

The opening of the trial, expected to last a month in Amsterdam, followed a successful weekend for the maverick Dutch politician, with his influence over a new rightwing government confirmed and a campaign speech in Germany aimed at establishing a trans-national European movement against Muslim immigration.

"I am on trial, but on trial with me is the freedom of expression of many Dutch citizens," he told the Amsterdam district court. "I can assure you, I will continue proclaiming it." Wilders then asserted his right to remain silent for the rest of the trial, prompting a comment from the presiding judge, Jan Moors, which was challenged by Wilders's lawyer.

Moors said Wilders was known for making bold statements but avoiding discussions, adding: "It appears you're doing so again." Bram Moszkowicz, representing Wilders, said the comment gave the appearance that Moors was biased and moved to have him substituted.

The hearing was suspended while other judges consider the complaint. They are to rule tomorrow on Wilders's challenge, meaning that a new panel of three judges could be appointed, delaying the trial by several months.

At the weekend, rather than comparing Islam to fascism, Wilders argued that Islam was the new communism, paraphrasing Karl Marx to declare that Islam is now the spectre haunting Europe.

American hate radio hosts have said worse things and got away with it. Like:
- G. Gordon Liddy telling listeners to shoot ATF agents in the head to evade body armor.
- The non-stop Muslim-bashing by Michael Savage, including calls to ban immigration by Muslims to the US, criticizing aid to countries hit by the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami as those countries are "hotbeds of radical Islam", and calling Muslim immigrants "15th-century throwbacks".
- Liddy and other radio hosts wrongfully blamed Muslims for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Does the First Amendment protect people's right to say stupid stuff like this? Yes. Is what they say remotely intelligent, classy, or respectful? One thousand times no. Ultimately, it's up to the Dutch prosecutors to prove that Wilders's hate speech is going to lead to real-life attacks on local Muslims. How many ATF agents have been shot or killed by Liddy fans? In America, when right-wing radio hosts talk trash, we don't send 'em to jail. We call 'em out on it.

real-life attacks on local Muslims, though? They might do in America but I'm not so sure that's how the hate speech laws work in Holland.

BTW Wilders advocated a five-year halt to non-Western immigration in the wake of van Gogh's murder, stating: "The Netherlands has been too tolerant to intolerant people for too long. We should not import a retarded political Islamic society to our country".

Source: http://www.int-review.org/terr41a.html

ETA Maybe he should move to the States and live with Geller so he can "get away with it" with her.