I had no idea there was this much censorship outside of Muslim countries. This is very scary. Jeremiah Wright would be locked away for YEARS!
PARIS, France (AP) – A Paris court on Tuesday convicted Brigitte Bardot of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing that Muslims are destroying France.
Brigitte Bardot wrote an angry letter criticizing Muslims in 2006.
The court also handed down a $23,325 fine against the former screen siren and animal rights campaigner.
A leading French anti-racism group known as MRAP filed a lawsuit last year over a letter she sent to then-Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. The remarks were published in her foundation’s quarterly journal.
In the December 2006 letter to Sarkozy, now the president, Bardot said France is “tired of being led by the nose by this population that is destroying us, destroying our country by imposing its acts.”
She was referring to the Muslim feast of Aid el-Kebir, celebrated by slaughtering sheep.
French anti-racism laws prevent inciting hatred and discrimination on racial or religious or racial grounds. **Bardot had been convicted four times previously for inciting racial hatred. **
Germany, UK to name a few also have anti-racism laws.
Freedom of speech is one thing, inciting hatred and discrimination on racial or religious or racial grounds is another thing.
Note: I am not saying what Bardot said is ok or not or if the ruling is ok or not.
In a lot of countries in Europe they are “nationalist” political parties, Front National in France.
In the US you faced, and are still facing similar issues with the Black community and are now facing similar issues with the Hispanic community. Those are sensitive subjects that are difficult to address and based on culture, background, etc… each country addresses them differently.
At least in France, it is probably about “safety”. There is a bigger and bigger divide in France between “the French” and mostly the Muslim community around integration or lack of integration and being an host or lack of being a host. Once in a while you will notice violent riots (and the latest violent riot did not happen that long ago) that are probably only the tip of the Iceberg.
Some folks, like BB, are saying outlooud what other folks are barely whishpering and then others are “putting pressure” to penalize what some folks are saying outloud. & ultimatly folks under pressure are making decisions to keep most likely a minority of folks in the Muslim community “relaxed” so there is no explition.
It is very sensitive very fragile and the majority of folks are trying to keep thinks under countrol for “safety” purposes. That could resulted in a big eruption one day though!
I don’t think so. Inciting violence is another thing from freedom of speech. Inciting hatred, though . . . don’t think so. Not here in America anyhow.
What about ‘‘hate crime’’ legislation? These laws seem to be at a minimum a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment; if not a violation of the 1st Amendment.
Freedom of speech is one thing, inciting hatred and discrimination on racial or religious or racial grounds is another thing.
You mean like this:
"FREDDY’S FASHION MART/”WHITE INTERLOPER”: 1995. A Jewish store owner in Harlem was accused of driving a black record store owner out of business, when the United House of Prayer, one of the largest black landlords on 125th Street, raised the rent on the Fashion Mart owned by a Jew, Freddy Harari, who then raised the rent on his subtenant, Sikhulu Shange, who ran a record store. At one of many rallies meant to scare the Jewish owner away, Sharpton said, “…There is a systematic and methodical strategy to eliminate our people from doing business off 125th Street. I want to make it clear…that we will not stand by and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business.” Following a demonstration three months later, one of the protestors, a black man, stormed Freddy’s Fashion Mart with a pistol, screaming, “It’s on now! All blacks out!” In addition to shooting, he set fire to the building, eventually killing himself and seven others. Initially, Sharpton denied having spoken at any rallies. When tapes surfaced, he said, “What’s wrong with denouncing white interlopers?” Eventually, he apologized—but only for saying “white,” not “interloper.” "
Since when is “Muslim” a racial designation?
The article said “racial or religious grounds.” I don’t know how the law reads, but it sounds pretty fuzzy. Looks like she was making a legitimate complaint by petitioning her government.
I agree with you about the hate crimes legislation- skirting pretty close to thought crimes. My point was only that if we believe in free speech, that includes hate speech, too, unlessin’ it’s inciting someone to violence.
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If this thread belongs in that other zip code, feel free to deport to the appropriate locale.]