When I sat down to read the news yesterday the first story that caught my attention was the subject of my first ever blog post on this site, Geert Wilders. Today Wilders is in the news because he was refused entry into the United Kingdom. Wilders was due to come to London to view a screening of his anti-Islamic film Fitna at the House of Lords. The Home Office Secretary, Jacqui Smith, decided to ban Wilders from the country. He is already facing trial in Holland for inciting hate.
The screening of Wilder’s film was organized by the anti-EU conservative Independence Party. The Independence Party continued with the screening despite Wilders absence and around 30 members of parliament watched the film. The MP’s gave the film a large round of applause and called for its issues to be debated in the Parliament. The anti-Islamic film argues that Islam encourages acts of terrorism, anti-Semitism, violence against women and Islamic universalism. Its opening scenes depict a copy of the Koran followed by scenes from the 9/11 twin tower attacks, the Madrid train bombings and the London 7/7 bombings.
Lord Pearson of the Independence Party has backed Wilders and called showing Fitna “a matter of free speech.” He called Wilders a “very brave man” and firmly believes that Wilders is not a racist. Lord Pearson went on to say “The film isn’t offensive unless you are a violent Islamist. Most of my Muslim friends think it’s a very good film.” Here we see Lord Pearson using the classic line used by many racist and homophobic people to defend themselves. How many times have we heard someone defend themselves by saying “I have lots of gay friends” or “I have lots of black friends.” Wilders was disgusted by his ban and called it “a very sad day for democracy in Britain.” He also called British Prime Minister Gordon Brown the “biggest coward in Europe.” In his home country of Holland, online newspapers followed his every move. “He is at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam” “Wilders has boarded the plane” “the plane has taken off.” One newspaper had the headline “Let him in!”
It is very obvious that his whole fiasco is just one big publicity stunt for Wilders. He is trying to win votes by touting his image not just within his own country but around the world. It is very simple to ignore Wilders and scoff at his views and public remarks, but one must remember that in Holland he has thousands of loyal supporters. Dismissing him for a madman would underestimate him. People like Wilders should be banned from spreading their racist views to others. It is not what he and his followers like to call a “matter of free speech” but rather a matter of inciting anti-Islamic hate.