As most readers know, Geert Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid, PVV) is on trial in the Netherlands, charged with “hate speech” for asking his supporters whether they want more or fewer Moroccans in the country.
Yesterday the Public Prosecutor’s office (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) announced its demand for a penalty to be levied against Mr. Wilders: a €5,000 fine. The trial (in my uninformed opinion) is more rigged than a Chicago election, so the verdict and fine are all but assured.
Our Dutch correspondent H. Numan sends his brief appraisal of the situation:
The government want to muffle any opposition. And that is — assuming a guilty verdict — done.
Freedom of speech after this trial is nonexistent. Anyone who dares will be prosecuted. And convicted. Wilders doesn’t have to worry, personally. But anyone who supports him will.
The following video is the English-language version of Geert Wilders’ public response to the prosecutor’s demanded penalty:
Below is the text of Mr. Wilders’ message:
I just heard the penal sentence demanded by the Public Prosecutor: a penalty of €5,000.
Speaking about one of the biggest problems of our country — the problem with Moroccans — is now punishable according to the elite. And hence we are slowly but surely losing our freedom of speech. Even asking a question is no longer allowed. Even though millions of people agree. And Moroccans have suddenly become a race. So if you say something about Moroccans, you are now a racist. Nobody understands that. It is utter madness. Only meant to shut you and me up.
While in other countries the people send the elite home, here they want to silence an opposition leader. The Netherlands is running the risk of becoming a dictatorship. It looks like Turkey. The differences between The Netherlands and Turkey are getting smaller. The opposition is silenced.
I was elected by nearly a million people. That number will be even higher on March 15th next year. And it is my duty to talk about the problems, even when the politically-correct elite led by Prime Minister Rutte prefers not to mention them. Because looking away and remaining silent is not an option.
I have to say it like it is.
What is the use of political cowards who no longer dare to speak the truth? Who are silent about the problems in our country? Who pander to the government? Who cowardly look the other way?
Nothing at all! Putting one’s head in the sand is cowardice.
And if you must keep quiet about problems, because simply asking a question has become punishable, the problems will only grow bigger. Then, The Netherlands will become a dictatorship of fearful and cowardly politicians.I will never accept that. I will continue to fight for a free and safe Netherlands. That is why Islamic terrorists have been trying to kill me for 12 years. Today, these terrorists rejoice. Wilders is going to be punished. The Public Prosecutor has made himself their ally today.
But I will not allow anyone to shut me up!
No terrorist will be able to silence me!
No prosecutor in a black gown or cowardly prime minister will get me on my knees!
I shall therefore not care about their penal demand at all. They can do whatever they want. It will only make me stronger. I will only get more motivated.And you can support me with this.
By continuing to fight with me for the preservation of freedom of expression. For the maintenance of a safe and free Netherlands.
Our country.
This guy is not only right, he is more articulate in English than most of our own snowflake college grads.
Lewin & Druid: Agree, why don’t other men band together and back him and demand these N. Africans and other Muslims be deported? Maybe then more people would join in and stand up. If anyone stands up to protect their country, there are so few with them. The masses are very cowardly, apathetic and self absorbed, even if a crime is committed against a relative or close friend. Perplexing indeed. Mind boggling since W. Europe is being invaded and conquered, soon to be an Islamic state.
Oh So True ! .. But the TRUTH .. IS all too often .. FOR ” THE Satanic DODGY OPPOSERS ” .. A ♡ NATURAL Serious ADVERSARY ♡THAT ALWAYS .. ♡ WINS ♡ IN THE LONG RUN ♡Amen to that ..
Wilders is a treasure the West ought to appreciate much more than it does. Along with Ayan Hersi Ali he is a vital force for civil liberty and against religious and political oppression.
This man is a veritable fire breathing dragon in the pathetic faces of the Dutch elites. More power to him, and I hope his PVV party gets control of their country. He is showing exceptional courage in the face of brutal, scared, P.C. adversity.
As always my hero.
“Sentence first! Verdict later!”
The Red Queen in “Alice in Wonderland”.
When he becomes the Prime Minister I hope he do not forget about what happened to him and while I know that judicial systems are normally separate from other arms of the government I am sure these people did break a bunch of rules already which make them eligible for early retirement…
Given that he’s spent the last ten years hiding and under guard, I don’t think he’ll “forget” any of it.
According tipsters reports from AP, “A Dutch expert says ISIS has 60 to 80 operatives in Europe”. ? From a stupid expert. He must have carried out one of those polls!
He just forget a couple of zeros.
This trial has had to be held in a secret location, goodness only knows what it’s cost, and all for a fine of EUR5000? Try to tell me it’s not a political trial and I’ll tell you to pull the other one.
This man speaks the truth and his sick to death like the English are of foreign invaders simple as that
All power to Wilders. I put him in my prayers. In my opinion he is one of the history makers of this centuary. Deserves our support.
How can u apply human rights to Muslims who don’t believe in rights of women, gay and freedom of minority and freedom of other religions in their Islamic nations Kill people for blasphemy ,apostasy or beat them for sipping alcohol and killing for sex out of marriage How can any country be humane to those who don’t believe in human rights of others Europe lost its freedom to evils