The Belgian Council of State has surprised everyone (especially me) and ruled speedily on the matter of the SIOE demo. Its promptness is probably explained by the fact that it has decided against the demonstration, backing up the mayor of Brussels.The authorities apparently decided that they were able to understand SIOE’s appeal after all, despite the fact that it wasn’t delivered to them in French.
Paul Belien has the latest report:
Today the Belgian Council of State (CoS) ruled to maintain the prohibition of an anti-Islamization demonstration on 11 September. Three weeks ago the demo was banned by Freddy Thielemans, the mayor of Brussels. Thielemans’s party, the Parti Socialiste (PS), caters for the many Muslim inhabitants of Brussels, the “capital of Europe.” Udo Ulfkotte, a German citizen and one of the organizers of the demo, who intended to bring 20,000 demonstrators to Brussels, decided to appeal against the mayor’s verdict before the Council of State, the highest administrative court in Belgium.- - - - - - - - -
Yesterday, the Council of State postponed its ruling because it said it had to decide first whether the appeal could be made in Dutch or should be presented in French. Today, however, the CoS cut the case short and ruled outright to maintain the ban. According to the CoS Udo Ulfkotte cannot prove that his interests have been harmed by the mayor’s ban.
This verdict may sound nonsensical to non-Belgians, but in Belgium it is not considered harmful to have one’s political freedoms restricted. In Belgium it is also considered quite normal that the lawyer representing Mayor Thielemans before the CoS is Marc Uyttendaele. The latter is one of the most expensive lawyers in the country. He is also the husband of Laurette Onkelinx, the Belgian minister of Justice, who is responsible for appointing, promoting and suspending judges.
The forbidden demonstration was an initiative of Danish, British and German organizations that wanted to protest in front of the European Parliament in Brussels against the introduction of Sharia laws in Europe. They chose to do so on the symbolic date of 11 September, which would allow them to end their demonstration with one minute of silence for the victims of the 9/11/2001 terror attacks in America.
Go over to Brussels Journal and read the rest.
As I mentioned earlier today, plenty of disgruntled Europeans are going to show up in Brussels on 9-11, despite Mayor Thielemans and the Council of State.
The two big questions are:
| 1. | How many will be there? | |
| 2. | How will the Belgian authorities respond? |
11 comments:
My view:
There will be some demonstrators.
The Belgian Cops will beat the demonstrators.
Fox News, and hence other US News organizations, will run video of Belgian Cops (and Muslims no doubt) beating pro-American demonstrators commemorating 9/11.
The political impact on the US will be dynamite. It might even end NATO and the US security guarantee. Leaving Europe free to be plundered by neighboring Muslim nations to the South.
Or maybe it could be the European version of "the shot heard 'round the world". Forgive me Dymphna and Baron, but I'm ready for people to wake up and take a stand, peaceful or otherwise.
Tom
Does Mr. DeWinter still plan to be there?
Given his role as leader of the Flemish nationalists, it could make a difference, a big difference -- in turnout.
Also, given that cops are generally on a country's political right, can the Socialists count on the cops to beat pro-European protesters? Might they mutiny?
This only makes me more determined to attend.
Belgium is so nice, especially this time of year.
The waffles, especially.
Whiskey,
I think you're waaaay too optimistic if you think the majority of the people in the US will give a flying flip. The media will spin out the protest as being illegal, that the "victims" of the police were warned in advance, yadda yadda.
Sorry, but I don't see anything more than a few token complaints from people that don't really care. They'll say something, but it will be with a shrug.
Sorry to all-
I'll be watching and surfing on 9/11 and I'll be surprisd if this makes any US news reports.
The only way it will is if Sarcozy shows up in airbrushed shirtless pose.
Jihad in Europe is still a non-event to Americans.
And why not? After all, Jihad in the US is just as misunderstood.
Mostly nothing of consenquence will happen.
Zerosumgame asked: "Also, given that cops are generally on a country's political right, can the Socialists count on the cops to beat pro-European protesters? Might they mutiny?"
An interesting question, indeed. All over Europe the ordinary, flat-foot coppers have to deal with Muslims on the street level. Hence, their attitude is no different from the rest of us: disgust, contempt and frustration. Combined with low salaries this bitterness is directed "upwards" to the courts and higher police echelons who owe their careers to bootlicking and flattering - the "yes"-men.
But this could be the straw that breaks the camels back. If they are ordered to beat up the native Europeans - Tienanmin-style - and let Muslims riot, I doubt they'll comply easily. Mutiny? - Perhaps....
Didn't the Swedish police participate boldly in their (gay) Pride Day? What makes anyone believe that the Belgian cops will be different?
I'll repeat what I've said many times before (at the risk of being a bore) that the 1st host of freedom fighters--those that take an active stance--will be punished and jailed under the laws of their own lands.
This fight, this battle, this war will devolve to the common citizen and not to anyone paid by the 'public'. It's just too sensitive an issue for a public employee to take a position.
More interesting to me will be the public response to September 9th NYC Muslim Day. This 'tradition' has gone on for over 20 years but sleepy America is starting to awake.
All beginning movements have problems, but problems can become blessings. Individuals will have to make the decision that they must act or all individuals will have a more difficult time in the future. There will never be a time when our actions are only a party, but there should be some good times to go with the troubled times.
Cops in Brussels are not like those in the US. They try to do their job without controversy or violence. They are placed in that position by the officials who hate opposition, but the cops will try to be professional.
We need to go and to take away our contacts and organizing experiences. This is just a beginning and should not be viewed as an end. Communication difficulties shouldn't stop cooperation on an important goal. There will be time to resolve any issues and to learn from them.
"Sorry to all-
I'll be watching and surfing on 9/11 and I'll be surprisd if this makes any US news reports."
I agree. Even if thousands of people show up (no doubt, some people will, but I suspect most will have been driven off by the ban), even if it turns to rioting, and even if atrocities are committed against the demonstrators, it'll get a quick mention in the MSM...and then they'll move on to talking about Owen Wilson. The vast majority of the civilized world will remain ignorant of the event - and most of those who don't won't care anyway.
Now, if it was a poor, oppressed minority population, or the 9/11 truthers, we'd be flooded with news of the event for weeks.
Forgive my cynicism. I'd like for some good to come of this, and I think that it won't go on entirely without effect, but I just can't see it making a very large dent. But I'll be hoping for the best anyway.
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