From Europe News, we get the full transcript of Gert Wilders Speech in his trial.

Geert Wilders, was the little-known (outside of the Netherlands) leader of a very small party, PVV, the Party for Freedom. As Diana West of Europe News reminds us:

"Only a year and a half later, Wilders is the most famous Dutchman in the world, and his party rivals the current ruling party in popularity. Wilders is also now on trial for his political life and liberty -- hardly a coincidence."

Notable highlights are:

I would like to begin by saying that of all our attainments, freedom is the most precious and most vulnerable.

I have nothing against Muslims. I have a problem with the Islam and the Islamization of our country because Islam is at right angles to freedom. Future generations will wonder how we, in 2010, at this location, in this room, served our most precious asset. Whether the freedom is for both sides in this debate and thus also for Islam-critics. Or whether in the Netherlands only one side of the debate may be heard. Whether freedom of speech in the Netherlands applies to everyone, or only to some.

I hope she, Lady Justice, will hear the following phrases sound, loud and clear:

"It is not only the right, but also the duty of free people to speak out against any ideology that threatens freedom."

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was right:
"The price for freedom is eternal vigilance."

 

Read the full transcript at Europe News