“Fitna” Screened at the House of Lords

Geert Wilders: “Islam and democracy are ‘incompatible’.”

As planned, Geert Wilders arrived at the House of Lords today and screened his film Fitna. The showing took place under official government disapproval while “anti-fascists” protested outside and the EDL marched in support of Mr. Wilders.

According to Al-Beeb:

Dutch MP Geert Wilders shows anti-Islam film in UK

Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders has shown his anti-Islam film in the UK’s House of Lords after overturning a ban on entering the country.

After the screening, the Freedom Party leader told a press conference Islam and democracy are “incompatible”.

Mr Wilders attempted to enter the UK last February, but was ordered to fly back to the Netherlands hours later. The ban was overturned in October.

The Home Office said it is opposed to “extremism in all its forms”.

Mr Wilders said the film and subsequent discussion was attended by around 60 people.

He told the press conference called for an end to immigration to Europe from Islamic countries, but said Muslims who agreed to obey the law of the land would be welcome to stay.

Several hundred members of the English Defence League (EDL) marched past the Houses of Parliament in supported of the Dutch politician.

Flanked by mounted police, they chanted football songs and waved Cross of St George flags.

They were kept apart from dozens of anti-fascist demonstrators, who gathered outside the Houses of Parliament, by police officers.

The Unite Against Fascism, organisation protested against the visit of Mr Wilders and the EDL march.

Yasmin Rassool from the group said: “I think the EDL are a racist, homophobic, Nazi party and they shouldn’t be allowed to march in our streets.”

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The Dutch politician is a guest of cross-bencher Baroness Cox and UK Independence Party leader Lord Pearson.

Lady Cox said the visit had been a victory for free speech, saying: “You don’t have to agree but it is important to debate sensibly in a responsible and very democratic way.”

A Home Office spokesman said the government “regrets the decision by Baroness Cox and Lord Pearson to invite Geert Wilders to the House of Lords for a private showing of his film Fitna”.

“However, we currently have no reason to deny Mr Wilders admission to the UK,” he added.