Dutch politician Geert Wilders of the Party for Freedom was acquitted today of hate speech violations by an Amsterdam district court, ending a three-year prosecution.

Presiding Judge Marcel van Oosten said that Wilders' remarks were "hurtful" "shocking" and "offensive" but not criminal because they were made in the context of public debate about multiculturalism and integration.

Wilders' case tested the limits of free speech in a country with a history of tolerance for free expression, but dominated in recent years by leftist ideology and political correctness.

"This means that his political views are condoned by law, his political rhetoric has been legalized"—Andre Krouwel, political scientist at Amsterdam's Free University

Wilders, an outspoken critic of Islam, Muslim immigration, and multiculturalism in the Netherlands, has been gaining popularity among Dutch citizens who blame their government's immigration aid policies for rising unemployment, increasing ethnic crime, and keeping Muslim immigrants from assimilating into Dutch society.

"This is not so much a win for myself, but a victory for freedom of speech. The Dutch are still allowed to speak criticallyabout Islam and not be gagged in public debate, and resistance against Islamization is not a crime."—Geert Wilders

Like Martin Luther before the Imperial Diet at Worms, Geert Wilders was blessed with the courage of his convictions to stand before an unsympathetic tribunal and confront his totalitarian accusers who would deny him his God-given right to speak his mind and follow his conscience.

May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob continue to strengthen and embolden Geert Wilders in the fight against the evil of totalitarianism.

Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town

Nobody OD'd  nobody burned a single building down

Nobody fired a shot in anger nobody had to die in vain

We sure could use a little good news today

I.M. Kane

For more on the story, see Dutch populist Geert Wilders acquitted of hate speech and Dutch Court Acquits Freedom Party Leader Geert Wilders of Defaming Muslims.