Here’s a round-up of the coverage of Geert Wilders’ trial, so far. It’s day one, and already it’s been too long.
By the way, my apologies that this is getting out so late. I’ll do my best to update this feature earlier on in the day. It’s my first day – whattaya expect?
A big h/t to Vlad Tepes for a lot of these videos.
The Times Online – Far-right MP Geert Wilders on trial for discrimination against Muslims
NewsReal – Dutch Inquisitor, Agent Of Islam, To Geert Wilders: What Are You Feeling Right Now?
In twenty years of working as a cop in the Colorado Criminal Justice System, I never heard anything from a judge like what the Amsterdam Chief Judge said yesterday at the opening of Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders’ criminal prosecution. Wilders, who is on trial for producing his movie “Fitna” and for opposing the Islamization of Europe, sat motionless as the litany of charges was read aloud. The Judge addressed Wilders and asked him how he was feeling. I could laugh at this sadistic inanity, but the defendant is on trial for his freedom. All that is missing from this proceeding is the thumbscrew or the rack.
Read the rest here.
Times Of Malta – Press digest
Muslims Against Sharia – Far-right MP Geert Wilders on trial for discrimination against Muslims
Vlad Tepes – Dutch Politician Geert Wilders’ Political Show Trial Starts Today…….
Irish Times – Dutch anti-Islam MP’s trial for hate crime starts today
Five Feet Of Fury – Geert Wilders: support rally in Toronto tonight
I’ll be speaking, along with others, and the movie “Fitna” will be shown.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
7:30 pm – 9:30 pmToronto Zionist Centre,
788 Marlee AvenueAlas, there will be no live webcast after all — so be there in person!
Read it here.
The Brussels Journal – The Wilders Trial: Voices From Europe
Tundra Tabloids – DUTCH POLITICIAN GEERT WILDERS’ POLITICAL SHOW TRIAL STARTS TODAY…….
Yahoo News – Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker faces hate speech trial:
AMSTERDAM – Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders sat in the defendant’s dock Wednesday, nodding his head as prosecutors read aloud a hundred remarks he has made condemning Islam, Muslims and immigrants — notably one comparing the Quran to Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.”
Read the rest here.
NOS Nieuws – Demonstranten steunen Geert Wilders bij proces
Earth Times – Islam critic Geert Wilders goes on trial in Netherlands:
Amsterdam – The trial of Dutch member of parliament and Islam critic Geert Wilders for discrimination and incitement to hatred opened in an Amsterdam court on Wednesday. The court is to decide whether the leader of the liberal-rightist Freedom Party PVV violated Dutch law by calling the Koran a “fascist book” and Islam a “backward culture.” At the start of proceedings, the presiding judge said it had been “suggested” that the court had already convicted Wilders before its first hearings. He would therefore “like to emphasize that only after the last word in these hearings has been said, the court will deliberate about its decision.”
In his opening statement, Wilders’ lawyer Bram Moskowicz questioned why the trial was taking place in Amsterdam rather than in The Hague, where his client works.
Most of the complaints filed against Wilders since 2006 were related to remarks he made as a lawmaker in the Hague-based parliament, he said.
Moskowicz also argued that Wilders’ remarks about Islam were made only in the context of his work as a lawmaker, and that he never spoke “a titre personnel,” or in his personal capacity.
Free Speech Versus Islam
Amsterdam – The trial of Dutch member of parliament and Islam critic Geert Wilders for discrimination and incitement to hatred opened in an Amsterdam court on Wednesday. The court is to decide whether the leader of the liberal-rightist Freedom Party PVV violated Dutch law by calling the Koran a “fascist book” and Islam a “backward culture.”
At the start of proceedings, the presiding judge said it had been “suggested” that the court had already convicted Wilders before its first hearings. He would therefore “like to emphasize that only after the last word in these hearings has been said, the court will deliberate about its decision.”
In his opening statement, Wilders’ lawyer Bram Moskowicz questioned why the trial was taking place in Amsterdam rather than in The Hague, where his client works.
Most of the complaints filed against Wilders since 2006 were related to remarks he made as a lawmaker in the Hague-based parliament, he said.
Moskowicz also argued that Wilders’ remarks about Islam were made only in the context of his work as a lawmaker, and that he never spoke “a titre personnel,” or in his personal capacity.
Read the rest here.
Tundra Tabloids – PICTURES FROM THE GEERT WILDERS’ COURT HEARING…….
These pics are taken during the (still at the time of this posting) the ongoing court hearing in Amsterdam. Geert Wilders’ lawyer, Bram Moszkowicz mentioned Wafa Sultan and quotes from her book, A God Who Hates, mentions then, Andrew Bostom, and quotes from his book the Legacy of Islamic Antisemitism, mentions Robert Spencer, and quotes from his book The Truth About Mohammed.
Read the rest here.
EuropeNews – Free Speech Versus Islam – Flanders: In Solidarity with Geert Wilders – Geert Wilders trial Day 1 – Why I Stand with Geert Wilders – He represents all Westerners who cherish their civilization. – and The Wilders Trial: Voices from Europe
Vlad Tepes – Russian TV covers the Geert trial as critical for Europe and free speech – Wilders quotes Jefferson in opening statement in court – Geert Wilders in court. Dutch TV news clip – Geert Wilders’ personal speech at pre-trial hearing -and Wilders’ trial for inciting hatred starts (update)
Gates of Vienna – Flanders: In Solidarity with Geert Wilders:
Our Flemish correspondent VH has translated some material about expressions of solidarity for Geert Wilders from the Flemish independence party Vlaams Belang.
First, from Filip Dewinter’s website:
Solidarity action Vlaams Belang, January 20, Brussels
The trial against Geert Wilders in many ways presents similarities with the trials against the Vlaams Blok / Vlaams Belang. It is also concerns an attempt to silence a non-politically correct party that criticizes uncontrolled immigration, multiculturalism, and increasing Islamization. Not only in Flanders but also in the Netherlands, freedom of expression is going downhill. The trial against Wilders and a possible conviction in practical terms means an organized assassination attempt on one of the major political forces in the Netherlands.
Vlaams Belang is in solidarity in every respect with Geert Wilders and denounces the witch hunt and the political lynching party. On Wednesday, January 20, at 11 am, Vlaams Belang will organize a solidarity action in front of the Dutch Embassy in Brussels.
There will be a delegation of some 100 representatives and activists to demonstrate there. Filip Dewinter will speak at 11:30. Furthermore, a delegation of parliamentarians will hand a letter addressed to the Dutch Parliament to the Dutch ambassador.
Supplementary notes from VH:
Read the rest here.
Sky News – Free Speech Versus Islam
Diana West – The Wilders Trial: Voices from Europe
Gates of Vienna – “You Are Living in an Islamic Country, My Friend”
Atlas Shrugs – Geert Wilders Goes on Trial Today – and Geert Wilders Trial: Scenes From the Criminal prosecution of Free Speech
CNN – Filmmaker Geert Wilders faces hatred charges
Al Jazeera English – Dutch MP on trial for ‘hate speech’
Gotiska Klubben – Antiislamisten Geert Wilders inför rätta
Jihad Watch – “According to Wilders, the truth about Islam must be made known, even if it is painful and unpleasant for certain people” – Al-Jazeera proves Wilders’ point – Geert Wilders: “If a politician is not allowed to criticize an ideology anymore this means that we are lost, and it will lead to the end of our freedom” – Geert Wilders’s speech at his trial today – and Wilders: “If expressions reflect the truth, how could they be criminal?”
Defend Geert Wilders 
Will Big Brother triumph?
Is the future to be inextricably bound with muslims and their hateful beliefs in the west?
I pray not.
People think that muslims worship the same God as the Jews and Christians, but they do not. They worship an ancient Babylonian moon god.
How can islam possibly be given equal weight with Christianity and Judaesm?
It cannot.
Geert Wilders knows whereof he speaks, and does not use his words lighty. He speaks only the truth. If the truth becomes illegal then George Orwell’s prophecy in 1984 will certainly come true.