“My family and I no longer feel safe in the Netherlands because Mr. Wilders is continually making hateful remarks about Islamic Dutch people.” Have they been attacked? Why, no. Have marauding bands of Dutch “youth” chanting Wilders’ name attacked innocent Muslims, torched mosques, burned (gasp!) the Qur’an? Why, no. Pim Fortuyn and Theo van Gogh are still dead, however.
When a court can take seriously a complaint that Muslims no longer “feel safe” in the Netherlands because of Wilders, the rule of law is on the ropes. Law based on feelings is no law at all; it is just a club to beat the opponents of the elites and the protected classes.
Also, one wonders what resistance to jihad activity would be deemed acceptable by the Dutch elites. Islamic groups in Europe and America have never seen an anti-jihad initiative that they liked; once one starts doing their bidding, one ends up at a state of utter defenselessness fairly quickly.
“Court hears Muslims’ complaints against lawmaker,” by Toby Sterling for AP, October 6:
AMSTERDAM — Muslims in the Netherlands say that remarks by politician Geert Wilders have poisoned attitudes toward them, making them feel unwelcome and at risk, according to complaints disclosed at his hate speech trial Wednesday.
“My family and I no longer feel safe in the Netherlands because Mr. Wilders is continually making hateful remarks about Islamic Dutch people,” said one complaint read out by the judge. “It’s getting scary. … Soon the kids won’t be able to say that they’re Muslim or half-Moroccan,” wrote the citizen, whose name was not released.
Dozens of similar complaints filed with public prosecutors eventually led them to file charges against Wilders, citing frequent statements he has made comparing Islam to Fascism, calling for a ban on Muslim immigration and for banning the Quran.
Wilders is charged with inciting discrimination and hatred and with insulting a people on religious grounds, punishable with up to a year in jail and a fine.
Wilders, who polls suggest is the Netherlands’ most popular politician, denies any wrongdoing. He says that his opinions are protected by freedom of speech and endorsed by more than a million people who voted for him in national elections last June….