Gates of Vienna – Wilders to Ezra Levant: Hate Speech Laws Should Go
YouTube: Ezra Levant on Geert Wilders’ acquittal
The video is a conversation between Wilders and Ezra Levant following the former’s acquittal. In sum, Mr. Wilders says hate speech laws have to go. To which I will add, “Amen”, though not nearly as fervently as does the battle-tried Mr. Levant.
The following quote is excerpted from the Youtube notes put up by user sdamatt, who posted the video:
…in his closing statement, Wilders said that his controversial statements against Islam were protected by the right to free speech. Wilders said he believed the process of Islamization presents a threat to Europe and that it is his right and duty to warn the public about it.
If he had been convicted, Wilders could have faced up to one year in jail or a fine of up to €7,600 ($10,865). At the peak of the controversy over his statements, Wilders was once even banned from entering the United Kingdom.
[…]
Wilders’ comments sparked a massive debate on the integration of Muslims in Europe that has helped fuel other populist movements around the continent. In Germany , politician Thilo Sarrazin wrote a bestselling book warning that Muslim immigrants were dumbing down the country.
Meanwhile, don’t forget the OIC is certain that the phenomenon known as Geert Wilders is due solely to those naughty Swiss who voted to ban minarets (no I don’t have the link anymore. Look for their 2009 summary. It’s a pdf and a real slog). [see footnote below]
OIC officials continue to harass the Swiss government. They are sure the Swiss could simply void that referendum if they wanted. It appears that the OIC is not ready for prime time when it comes to a full grasp of the elements of democracy. We may have a chasm here that no amount of explaining will bridge.
Mr. Levant’s “Victory Conversation” with Wilders is above. Notice the tone of both voices. Very happy warriors indeed.
Hat Tip: Steen
Footnote:
Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law: Panacea or Pathetic Fallacy? The Swiss Ban on Minarets, by Lorenz Langer, Volume 43, Number 10, October 2010
Tags: Gates of Vienna, Netherlands, PVV
