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Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff in Luton

by 1389AD ( 104 Comments › )
Filed under Censorship, Europe, Free Speech, Islam, Koran, UK at February 6th, 2011 - 11:30 am

Originally posted on Gates of Vienna.

Reprinted with permission.

ESW Copenhagen Nov. 2010
“We must stand up and reclaim our ancient liberties.”

Below is the text of the speech given today in Luton by Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff:

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here in Luton, the birthplace of the English Defence League.

Native Lutonians are living at Ground Zero of the attempted Islamic takeover of England. Your resistance is an inspiration to everyone in the European Counterjihad. It is a privilege to have been invited to this historic event.

As most of you know, I have been charged with hate speech in Austria, and my trial is currently underway.

What were the charges against me?

The original charge was “incitement to hatred”. On the second day of my trial, the judge at her own discretion added a second charge, “denigration of religious beliefs of a legally recognized religion.”

Guess which religion that was?

The second charge is a more serious one, and makes it more likely that I will be convicted.

Those were the charges. Now, what was my crime?

My “crime”, ladies and gentlemen, was to tell the truth about Islam. To quote the Koran and the hadith. To cite the official texts of sharia. To explain that Islam tells men to beat their wives, and that sharia requires the amputation of limbs for theft.

In my seminars I explained that Islamic law sanctions the mutilation of the genitals of little girls. It demands that anyone who leaves Islam be killed.

In short, my “crime” was to educate my fellow Austrians about what Islam really means, as prescribed by Islam itself.

Telling the plain truth about Islam in its own words insults Muslims. How bizarre is that?

The EDL’s mission statement describes it as a “human rights organisation”. Its primary goal is to restore the civil rights of ordinary English citizens. In recent years these rights have been systematically eroded by the tyrannical multicultural ideology of the state. Islam would not have been able to establish its oppressive presence in England if the civil rights of Englishmen had not already been taken away.

I share your concern with human rights. If we do not reclaim our basic rights — including the most important right of all, the right to speak freely — our civilization will be destroyed. All of our great institutions, including democracy and the rule of law, are made possible by the fundamental human rights that we all used to take for granted.

These rights are now being deliberately destroyed. The legal case against me is evidence of that fact, and so are the cases against Tommy Robinson, Guramit Singh, Geert Wilders, Lars Hedegaard, and all the other brave people who have spoken out against Islam and then been prosecuted for it.

The rights which are being taken away from us are our God-given rights. They were not granted to us by our governments.

People here in England are very fortunate, because their rights were firmly established long ago. For many centuries Englishmen have claimed — and successfully fought for — the rights of free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of conscience, and all the other rights that were eventually identified as universal.

It is not the same in my country. We Viennese have a proud history, first as the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, and later as the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. But, sad to say, universal human rights came late to Austria, and their roots are shallow. Not only that, the Austrian Empire was the prototype for the modern multicultural state, with its patchwork of ethnicities and official languages.

To make matters worse, in 1912, when Bosnia was incorporated into the Austro-Hungarian empire, my country recognized Islam as an official state religion. The law establishing Islam in Austria is the very same law under which I am being prosecuted.

So the right to free speech in Austria is neither deeply rooted nor greatly respected. But this is not the case in England.

Any Englishman who asserts his right to free speech is not breaking new ground. He is reclaiming what has already been his for centuries. The rights of free speech, free assembly, and self-government are among the “ancient liberties” of Englishmen. Any government that interferes with those liberties is tyrannical and illegitimate.

It’s worth remembering that your cousins in the American colonies rebelled against King George III because he usurped those very same rights. The colonists who formed the United States of America began by demanding their ancient liberties as Englishmen.

This is what we all must do. In these degraded and perilous times, we must stand up and reclaim our ancient liberties.

This is why I support the EDL. I stand behind any group that resists Islamization by peacefully invoking its right to speak freely about the evils of Islam.

I was prosecuted for informing ordinary people about the reality of Islam. Educating our own people is our most effective strategy to use against sharia.

For that reason, I advise you not to burn the Koran, but to read it. Only by studying what Islam stands for will we learn how to face it down.

Know your enemy. We do not fight him with knives or guns, but with the pen, the microphone, the video camera, and the printing press. Understanding what Islam means is our greatest weapon in the struggle against it. We do not need any intimidation or bullying, because the truth is on our side.

Samuel Johnson once said, “Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven’t courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.”

In the deadly times that lie ahead, courage will be required of ordinary men and women who refuse to submit to the tyranny of Islamization. Hate-speech prosecutions and shotgun attacks are only a mild foretaste of what is in store for us.

Col. Allen West, one of the most stalwart soldiers of the Counterjihad, always signs his emails with the words “steadfast and loyal”. We too must remain steadfast and loyal to one another in the coming struggle.

Never give up. Never give in.

We will never surrender!


Previous posts about the hate speech case against Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff:

2009   Dec   5   Fighting a Hate Speech Charge in Austria
        11   Heckling the Counterjihad
        14   Whose Law?
        17   Defaming the Muslims of Pinkafeld
2010   Mar   11   A Mother and an Activist
        20   An Austrian “Hate School”
        22   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff at the Freedom Defense Initiative
        29   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff and the Wiener Akademikerbund
    Sep   9   “Islam is a Political Ideology Disguised as a Religion”
        16   “Justice Must Not Be Made the Handmaiden of Sharia”
        17   The Truth Does Not Matter
    Oct   11   Interview With Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        16   Is the Truth Illegal in Austria?
        20   A Court Date for Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        21   BPE Press Release on Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        22   Elisabeth’s Voice: An Appeal
        23   Elisabeth’s Voice: A Follow-Up
        24   Raising Our Voices
        25   Elisabeth’s Voice is Growing
        27   Elisabeth’s Voice: More Information
        27   A Bit More Media Attention?
        28   We Are Elisabeth’s Voice
        30   Elisabeth’s Voice in Amsterdam
        31   Mark Steyn Joins Elisabeth’s Voice
    Nov   2   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff: Target of Western Shariah
        6   Anatomy of a Discussion with a Leftist Journalist
        8   ESW in the WSJ
        10   “The Left is Very Much the New Far Right”
        11   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff Versus the State of Denial
        17   Elisabeth’s Voice: An Update
        15   The New English Review Interviews Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        20   Live-Blogging the Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        20   The ESW Defense File
        23   The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 1
        27   The Time That is Given Us
        28   ESW at Trykkefrihedsselskabet
    Dec   5   An Oasis of Civilization in a Desert of Barbarism
        22   An Unusual Hobby
        23   In Demand Everywhere
2011   Jan   14   ESW: Thoughts Before a Trial
        14   Live-Blogging the Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Part Two
        16   ESW: A Submission to the Court in Vienna
        18   The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 2
        21   Elisabeth’s Voice, Phase Two
        28   Geert Wilders Supports Elisabeth’s Voice

Geert Wilders Supports Elisabeth’s Voice

by 1389AD ( 144 Comments › )
Filed under Anti-Jihad, Censorship, Europe, Free Speech, Koran, Liberal Fascism, Political Correctness at January 30th, 2011 - 11:08 am

Originally posted on Gates of Vienna.

Reprinted with permission.

Elisabeth's Voice banner
As we

reported a few days ago, the new charge against Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff added by the judge has made it necessary to re-activate Elisabeth’s Voice, the fund-raising initiative that will help Elisabeth meet her legal fees.

Now Geert Wilders has come out in support of Elisabeth’s Voice.

Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff and Geert Wilders
Elisabeth received this email from Mr. Wilders earlier today:

The Austrian anti-jihad activist Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff is currently on trial in Vienna for speaking the truth about Islam. Her case is much like mine and that of all the other people in Europe who are being charged, tried, convicted, and silenced for daring to speak out against Islam.

Elisabeth is a courageous woman whose staunch defence of liberty, freedom of expression and the search for truth are an inspiration for us all. She is a beacon of light, not only for Austria but the entire West.

I fully support Elisabeth in her resistance to the oppression that has been forced upon her. And I especially support her in her defence against a charge brought by the Vienna court in an attempt to silence her.

It is important to defend those who are being prosecuted by the state for their convictions. We need to exercise our own right of speech on their behalf. If we do not speak out today for people like Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, we will all be silenced.

Anyone who wants to contribute may visit Elisabeth’s Voice and make a donation using PayPal. Or, if you prefer, you may send a bank transfer using the following information for international payments:

Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich
IBAN: AT513150042908021602
BIC: RZBAATWW

Made out to: Public Notary Mag. Martin Scheichenbauer, Hemmaweg 5, A-9342 Gurk

The defense fund is not under her control, and disbursements from it will be made solely to pay her legal fees.

If you are unable to contribute, please pass the word along to anyone who might be able to help. We all need to fight to keep Elisabeth and others like her from being silenced.


Previous posts about the hate speech case against Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff:

2009   Dec   5   Fighting a Hate Speech Charge in Austria
        11   Heckling the Counterjihad
        14   Whose Law?
        17   Defaming the Muslims of Pinkafeld
2010   Mar   11   A Mother and an Activist
        20   An Austrian “Hate School”
        22   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff at the Freedom Defense Initiative
        29   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff and the Wiener Akademikerbund
    Sep   9   “Islam is a Political Ideology Disguised as a Religion”
        16   “Justice Must Not Be Made the Handmaiden of Sharia”
        17   The Truth Does Not Matter
    Oct   11   Interview With Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        16   Is the Truth Illegal in Austria?
        20   A Court Date for Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        21   BPE Press Release on Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        22   Elisabeth’s Voice: An Appeal
        23   Elisabeth’s Voice: A Follow-Up
        24   Raising Our Voices
        25   Elisabeth’s Voice is Growing
        27   Elisabeth’s Voice: More Information
        27   A Bit More Media Attention?
        28   We Are Elisabeth’s Voice
        30   Elisabeth’s Voice in Amsterdam
        31   Mark Steyn Joins Elisabeth’s Voice
    Nov   2   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff: Target of Western Shariah
        6   Anatomy of a Discussion with a Leftist Journalist
        8   ESW in the WSJ
        10   “The Left is Very Much the New Far Right”
        11   Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff Versus the State of Denial
        17   Elisabeth’s Voice: An Update
        15   The New English Review Interviews Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        20   Live-Blogging the Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
        20   The ESW Defense File
        23   The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 1
        27   The Time That is Given Us
        28   ESW at Trykkefrihedsselskabet
    Dec   5   An Oasis of Civilization in a Desert of Barbarism
        22   An Unusual Hobby
        23   In Demand Everywhere
2011   Jan   14   ESW: Thoughts Before a Trial
        14   Live-Blogging the Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Part Two
        16   ESW: A Submission to the Court in Vienna
        18   The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 2
        21   Elisabeth’s Voice, Phase Two

Elisabeth’s Voice, Phase Two

by 1389AD ( 143 Comments › )
Filed under Anti-Jihad, Censorship, Europe, Free Speech, Islam, Koran at January 23rd, 2011 - 11:30 am

Originally posted on Gates of Vienna.

Reprinted with permission.
Elisabeth's Voice banner
On Tuesday, January 18th, 2011, Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff faced the court in Vienna for a second time. Rather than the hoped-for verdict, the trial was adjourned until February 15th.

What happened?

On the first day of the trial last November, Elisabeth’s lawyer, Dr. Rami, had insisted on playing the incriminating tapes that had been recorded without permission during her seminar. However, due to technical reasons the court was unable to play the tapes, and the task was postponed until the most recent court session this past Tuesday.

Instead of playing the entire four hours of tape, Dr. Rami decided after the first 45 minutes that the court had heard enough to prove that there was no incitement to hatred or anything else. Rather, it was very clear that the tone and setting of the seminar was one of sober respect.

It was thus a complete surprise when the judge — not the prosecutor! — proceeded to inform Elisabeth and her lawyer that the charge of “denigrating religious symbols of a recognized religious group” were being added to the existing charges. Her lawyer immediately demanded a postponement so that the defense could prepare a new strategy.

Although the charge of “incitement to hatred” carries a higher sentence, it is more difficult to prove. The added charge, however, has now made a conviction — and thus the need for an appeal — more likely. While we know that Elisabeth will fight the charges with all possible means, we do have to consider the possibility that she may be convicted, and must prepare accordingly. This necessitates a second appeal for funds.

We are asking our readers for help. Not just financial help — many of our people may be tapped out by now — but also help in spreading the word. Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, like Geert Wilders, Lars Hedegaard, and all the other members of the Roster of the Silenced, are canaries in the Western coalmine. Where they walk today, hundreds and thousands of the rest of us must follow tomorrow.

Unless enough people can be awakened to what is happening in Europe, an iron curtain of silence will inevitably descend on the entire Western world.

Elisabeth needs your help to fight these charges and to make sure that the truth remains the truth. With that in mind, we are re-activating the Elisabeth’s Voice campaign. All of your donations will once again go to a special fund set up specifically for her defense, and will only be disbursed for legal fees, translations, and relevant books and other documentation needed to prepare the defense. Visit the Save Free Speech website to donate via PayPal, or see the bottom of this post for information about bank transfers.

Please give generously. The outcome of this trial will affect us, our children, and our grandchildren. We must speak up now for the values we believe in. There will be no second chance.

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A new wrinkle in Elisabeth’s case appeared on Tuesday evening, when the Austrian newspapers reported that she could be heard on the seminar tape saying that “Euro-Islam is s***”. This was a blatant falsehood — the tape clearly indicates that she said no such thing.

The story is that APA (Austria Press Agency) sent a young man to follow the proceedings, and he “misheard” Elisabeth say “Euro-Islam is s**”, when in fact she said “Euro-Islam is wishful thinking”. The phrases in German are Euro-Islam ist Scheiße versus Euro-Islam ist Wunschdenken, so there is obviously no possibility that the reporter confused two similar-sounding words — this was a malicious misquote.

Elisabeth’s counsel has initiated a libel suit against all newspapers that printed the falsehood. This also adds to her legal costs, but when she wins the suit, she will recoup them in the damage award.

Below is a letter to Die Presse from Dr. Maria Stückler about the newspapers’ libel against Elisabeth. Many thanks to JLH for the translation:

The Trial concerning the Islam Seminar: “The Muslim lies”

I was at the trial of Mrs. Sabaditsch-Wolff, but did not hear the statement : “Euro-Islam is s***.” Rather, I remember [the statement] “Euro-Islam is wishful thinking”. And the statement, “Islam is crap” only served to demonstrate how poor the situation for freedom of expression already is in Austria (as in all of Europe).

I also did not hear “the Muslim lies,” but I did hear “we are being lied to 24 hours a day,” and indeed with reference to and explanation of the principle of taqiyya, that is, legitimized lying to infidels. Countless statements attest that the representatives of Islam practice this principle: [saying] for instance, that the Koran forbids the beating of women, but in truth it commands men to do it — even on mere suspicion. Or that stoning has nothing to do with sharia, but everything to do with patriarchy, but Mohammed himself practiced it and Iran, for instance, still uses this punishment today. Or that Islam guarantees religious freedom, while in reality it provides the death penalty for apostasy. Or that Islam is peace and tolerance, but sharia declares the perpetual duty of holy war and massively discriminates against subjugated non-Muslims. Prof. Bassam Tibi (himself a Muslim) on the Christian-Islamic dialogue: “Blessed are the Deceived.”

It is not Mrs. Sabaditsch-Wolff who alleges Mohammed’s pedophilia, but the basic Islamic texts themselves: At the age of over 50, he married a nine year-old girl. And the Koran, too, in its regulations governing divorce, assumes as fact the marriage of pre-pubescent girls. Up to now, Islamic legal scholars from Morocco to Indonesia (including the NU as the largest Muslim organization in the country) have justified child marriages by reference to the example of Mohammed and to the Koran. In numerous Islamic countries, the law does not even recognize a minimum age. So if this statement represents a “derogation of religious teachings,” then one can only say: “It is Islam and its Prophet themselves that are derogating Islam and its Prophet.” Nothing demonstrates more clearly than this the relationship of Islam and common sense.

When the media spread untrue claims about critics of Islam, that then apparently falls under the category of freedom of the press. If someone states uncomfortable truths about Islam, however, it can happen that that person is accused by the media of hateful incitement.

The media should not forget that freedom of expression is the basis of freedom of the press, so much more so, as — according to “EU Framework Decision against Racism and Xenophobia” — truth is not a mitigating factor.

And the human rights organizations should not forget that without freedom of expression, all other human rights are obsolete. It is high time for them to begin fighting against the hate-speech laws, which have entered the EU by the back door.

And the politicians should be reminded that human rights are not a political instrument which they can manipulate at will. Rather, they should respect them, and not criminalize them.

Dr. Maria Stückler

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
Here is the webpage for donations to Elisabeth’s Voice.

For international payments:

Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich
IBAN: AT513150042908021602
BIC: RZBAATWW

Made out to: Public Notary Mag. Martin Scheichenbauer, Hemmaweg 5, A-9342 Gurk


Previous posts about the hate speech case against Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff:

2009 Dec 5 Fighting a Hate Speech Charge in Austria
11 Heckling the Counterjihad
14 Whose Law?
17 Defaming the Muslims of Pinkafeld
2010 Mar 11 A Mother and an Activist
20 An Austrian “Hate School”
22 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff at the Freedom Defense Initiative
29 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff and the Wiener Akademikerbund
Sep 9 “Islam is a Political Ideology Disguised as a Religion”
16 “Justice Must Not Be Made the Handmaiden of Sharia”
17 The Truth Does Not Matter
Oct 11 Interview With Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
16 Is the Truth Illegal in Austria?
20 A Court Date for Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
21 BPE Press Release on Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
22 Elisabeth’s Voice: An Appeal
23 Elisabeth’s Voice: A Follow-Up
24 Raising Our Voices
25 Elisabeth’s Voice is Growing
27 Elisabeth’s Voice: More Information
27 A Bit More Media Attention?
28 We Are Elisabeth’s Voice
30 Elisabeth’s Voice in Amsterdam
31 Mark Steyn Joins Elisabeth’s Voice
Nov 2 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff: Target of Western Shariah
6 Anatomy of a Discussion with a Leftist Journalist
8 ESW in the WSJ
10 “The Left is Very Much the New Far Right”
11 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff Versus the State of Denial
17 Elisabeth’s Voice: An Update
15 The New English Review Interviews Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
20 Live-Blogging the Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
20 The ESW Defense File
23 The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 1
27 The Time That is Given Us
28 ESW at Trykkefrihedsselskabet
Dec 5 An Oasis of Civilization in a Desert of Barbarism
22 An Unusual Hobby
23 In Demand Everywhere
2011 Jan 14 ESW: Thoughts Before a Trial
14 Live-Blogging the Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Part Two
16 ESW: A Submission to the Court in Vienna
18 The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 2

Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff: Thoughts Before a Trial

by 1389AD ( 248 Comments › )
Filed under Censorship, Europe, Free Speech, Islamic Supremacism, Koran, Liberal Fascism, Political Correctness at January 16th, 2011 - 12:00 pm

Originally published on Gates of Vienna.

Reprinted with permission.

Gagged
The “hate speech” case against Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff is just the latest example in a series of legal persecutions against Europeans who speak out against the Islamization of their countries, their continent, and their civilization.

Before Elisabeth came Lionheart, Tomashot, Jussi Halla-aho, Dahn Pettersson, Gregorius Nekschot, Paul Belien, Bart Debie, Geert Wilders, and Jesper Langballe. More are coming up soon: Lars Hedegaard will go on trial January 24 for talking about the high incidence of family rape among Muslim immigrants in Denmark. Geert Wilders will face trial (again) on February 7 for his many statements about Islam and Islamization. At some point in the future, Tommy Robinson, Guramit Singh, and other members of the EDL will appear in court for their statements about Islam.

Outside of Europe, we have seen Mark Steyn and Ezra Levant hounded repeatedly in Canada. Similar cases have been brought in Australia. In Dearborn, Michigan, several Christians were arrested and charged for handing out religious tracts on a sidewalk in a Muslim neighborhood.

The list goes on and on — there are many more than I can possibly specify here — and all of the victims have one thing in common: they were charged in a court of law for criticizing Islam. Not for violent acts. Not for inciting others to violence or rebellion. Not for intimidation or threatening violence against any individual or group.

No, they simply told the truth about Islam and the Koran, and stated their opinions about Islamization. Saying such things is now a crime in virtually the entire Western world.

On Tuesday, January 18 — just four days from now — Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff will go on trial in Vienna for “hate speech”. She has written a brief essay for Gates of Vienna about what she is experiencing now, and what is facing her next week.

ESW Copenhagen Nov. 2010
(photo ©Snaphanen)
Thoughts Before a Trial
by Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff

With just a few days remaining before the next stage of my trial, I had two interesting encounters with two quite different friends. Both kept me thinking very hard even after we parted ways.

Allison is the mother of twin girls who went to kindergarten with my daughter. Allison and her husband are liberals in the sense of “live and let live”; they have no connection with religion, any religion, and they believe that everyone should have the freedom to believe in whatever he wants, to dress in any way he wants, to eat whatever he wants. We have had many a discussion about what I do and what I believe in, and although we are friends, they have always told me that they think that what I do is wrong in the sense that I am unfairly attacking Muslims.

Allison called me the other night. We talked, and when I told her that I was sad that she and her husband had chosen the United Arab Emirates for their next vacation, she answered that I am a radical. I asked, somewhat surprised, why she thought that.

“Well, I see the hatred in your face when you see a woman in a headscarf on the street.”

“What?” I answered. “How can you tell? Can you read my mind?”

In any case, I do not hate people, but I criticize the ideology that forces women to cover up, that takes away a woman’s right to choose her life and her destiny, an ideology that enslaves women. I inform people about the contents of the Quran and am thus a hate preacher. Or, in other words, by teaching the Quran I am preaching hate. And people listening to me will feel hatred.

“But you also hate the woman, I can see that,” she replied.

I then told her the following: “Allison, once again: how do you know that? Can you read my thoughts? Furthermore, your belief in ‘live and let live’ can only work if everyone adheres to it. But Islam does not call for ‘live and let live’. In any case, you are actually saying what the prosecutor is saying, that this woman hates Muslims, hates Islam, incites other people to hate Muslims by feeling hatred towards Muslims. You should be hoping for a guilty verdict, because you believe you know what I feel.”

She was shocked. Apparently I had nailed her. “No, not at all. I want to you to win, with all my heart. You need to win.”

“But you’re saying something very different, Allison.”

“Well, actually I want you to win for your daughter’s sake.”

Note that she didn’t say: I want you to win because you’re right. Or: You have the right to your opinions, even though I may not agree with them. No, she said: For your daughter’s sake.

“I want you to win because your daughter should not have to deal with a mother who was found guilty in court. She won’t understand it.”

We then decided to change the subject, but afterwards the conversation continued to linger in my mind. What had happened here? Was I wrong? And still, I can only repeat myself for the umpteenth time that I do not hate Muslims (as a matter of fact, I do not hate, period), but liberals do not believe people like me. No matter what I say or do, it seems they are projecting their own bigotries upon me. I am merely holding up a mirror. What they see is not my — non-existent — hatred, but their own.

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The next day I met my neighbor and friend Samantha. During our neighborly small talk I told her that I was busy preparing for my case, and this prompted her to say in a near-whisper, “You know, I have been following your case, and though I wasn’t always so sure about what you stood for I can tell you now that I think you’re spot on. I admire you. I do not have the courage to do what you are doing, but you are doing the right thing. I also tell my friends that I think you are right and you need to be supported. They criticized you heavily before, but they are also starting to understand.”

Not only did Samantha’s words move me to tears, but I was amazed at her honesty in admitting that she had actually studied my words and found them to be the truth. And this is what I hope the court will also conclude after careful study of my arguments. One may not agree with my statements, but they are still true. No matter how painful the truth may be, it must remain what it is: the truth.


Visit the Save Free Speech for the latest on Elisabeth’s case and related matters.

Previous GoV posts about the hate speech case against Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff:

2009 Dec 5 Fighting a Hate Speech Charge in Austria
11 Heckling the Counterjihad
14 Whose Law?
17 Defaming the Muslims of Pinkafeld
2010 Mar 11 A Mother and an Activist
20 An Austrian “Hate School”
22 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff at the Freedom Defense Initiative
29 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff and the Wiener Akademikerbund
Sep 9 “Islam is a Political Ideology Disguised as a Religion”
16 “Justice Must Not Be Made the Handmaiden of Sharia”
17 The Truth Does Not Matter
Oct 11 Interview With Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
16 Is the Truth Illegal in Austria?
20 A Court Date for Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
21 BPE Press Release on Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
22 Elisabeth’s Voice: An Appeal
23 Elisabeth’s Voice: A Follow-Up
24 Raising Our Voices
25 Elisabeth’s Voice is Growing
27 Elisabeth’s Voice: More Information
27 A Bit More Media Attention?
28 We Are Elisabeth’s Voice
30 Elisabeth’s Voice in Amsterdam
31 Mark Steyn Joins Elisabeth’s Voice
Nov 2 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff: Target of Western Shariah
6 Anatomy of a Discussion with a Leftist Journalist
8 ESW in the WSJ
10 “The Left is Very Much the New Far Right”
11 Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff Versus the State of Denial
17 Elisabeth’s Voice: An Update
15 The New English Review Interviews Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
20 Live-Blogging the Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
20 The ESW Defense File
23 The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 1
27 The Time That is Given Us
28 ESW at Trykkefrihedsselskabet
Dec 5 An Oasis of Civilization in a Desert of Barbarism
22 An Unusual Hobby
23 In Demand Everywhere