Appreciation & Endorsements of the Legal Project

Geert Wilders

Dutch Member of Parliament

Last June, I was acquitted of all charges by an Amsterdam court. Though I am the leader of the third largest political party in the Netherlands, I had been dragged to court by leftist and Islamic organizations on charges of group insult and incitement to discrimination and racial hatred.

I was not prosecuted for anything I did, but for what I had said. My view on Islam is that it is not so much a religion as a totalitarian political ideology with religious elements. While there are many moderate Muslims, Islam's political ideology is radical and has global ambitions. I expressed these views in newspaper interviews, op-ed articles and in my 2008 documentary, "Fitna."

The legal procedures lasted over two years. They were time consuming and cost a lot of money. My acquittal was a victory not only for me, but for all the Dutch people and for freedom of speech.

This important victory could not have been achieved without the support and help of many friends in the Netherlands and abroad. The Middle East Forum's Legal Project in particular was always there to help, advice and assist. Whenever needed, I could always count on its support. The importance of the MEF's Legal Project in reclaiming free expression and political discourse in the Netherlands against the encroachment of "hate speech" and incitement laws, cannot be overestimated.

Thank you, MEF's Legal Project, on behalf of myself and all freedom-loving people in the Netherlands.

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Arnie Lemaire

Blogger

AKA Blazingcatfur
http://blazingcatfur.blogspot.com/

Middle East Forum's Legal Project has been a stalwart ally in my current legal battle which is nearing its 4th year. While I owe them a personal and heartfelt debt of thanks let me assure you that so do we all. They have offered unconditional & invaluable assistance to me and many others who face lawfare assaults. Their defense of Free Speech is deserving of our support, gratitude and admiration.

Please join them on the front lines. Their commitment to freedom enables us all to stand and fight.

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Bruce Bawer

Author & Blogger

http://www.brucebawer.com/

For those of us who live every day with the possibility of being prosecuted for things we have said or written, the existence of the Middle East Forum's Legal Project is a constant and cheering reminder that, should we find ourselves in such a position, we need not fear being alone and undefended. In these times when freedom of expression is increasingly imperiled, the Legal Project is an increasingly vital bulwark of liberty.

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