Be Careful What You Say, in Europe

For John, BLUF:  Why we should insist on our Free Speech rights.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Wilders unapologetic as Dutch hate speech trial ends

That would be Dutch Member of Parliament Geert Wilders, who is on trial for "hate speech".

This would not be his first trial.

Remember it is Europe, where there is no First Amendment.  No Lee Bollinger writing books about the importance of Free Speech.

The source is Yahoo News, channeling Agence France-Presse.

Here is the lede plus three:

The Hague (AFP) - Populist Dutch MP Geert Wilders remained unapologetic as his hate speech trial drew to a close on Wednesday, saying "millions of Dutch citizens will be convicted with me" if he is found guilty.

Wilders, 53, who had previously shunned hearings held at a high-security courthouse near Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, addressed a three-judge bench at the end of the three-week trial which will formally be closed on Friday.

"I am not a racist and my voters are neither.  They are people who want their country back and who are sick and tired of not being listened to," said Wilders, dressed in a dark blue suit and with his trademark peroxide hairdo.

"If you convict me, you will convict half of The Netherlands," said Wilders, who added:  "Many Dutch will then lose the last bit of trust in the rule of law."

We should be seeing a verdict from the three judge court on Monday, 9 December.

As a citizen of these United States you should worry about this "hate speech" attitude coming across the Atlantic or flowing down from Canada.  Not that I approve of your "hate speech".  I don't.  You should have better manners.  But, the government should not be hauling you off to the hoosegow for saying out loud what you think.

Now, if you plot the violent overthrow of our Government you do need to be prosecuted.

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff