Dutch Anti-Islam Politician Becomes Brand (Netherlands)

Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims, has become a ‘brand name’ in the Netherlands.

Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad said Wilders and his anti-immigrant Freedom Party (PVV) have been registered as trademarks to prevent misuse of their names, Reuters reported Wednesday, August 17.

Wilders' trademark application included a category for seeds, plants and flowers following the christening of a tulip in his name in February.

The far-right lawmaker has already been listed in the brand register for the Benelux for services such as lobbying.

When a name is registered, it can be marketed commercially.

“A politician should not be for sale,” Tobias Cohen Jehoram, professor of intellectual property, told the Financieele Dagblad.

Wilders is notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims.

He has called for banning the Noble Qur’an, describing the Muslim holy book as “fascist”.

In 2008, the far-right politician released a 15-minute documentary accusing the Qur'an of inciting violence.

Ahead of last year’s general elections, Wilders’ anti-immigrant party campaigned to "stop the Islamization of the Netherlands", and the building of new mosques.

His party’s anti-Islam campaigns, however, have helped it make its biggest gains since Wilders has founded it in 2006.

Wilders’ party, the third-largest in parliament, is the minority coalition government's key ally, providing crucial support when the government needs a majority to pass legislation.
Wilders stands out among Dutch politicians because of his mane of bleached-blond hair and was nicknamed "the golden pompadour" in US diplomatic cables disclosed by WikiLeaks.

OnIslam

Two plead guilty to hate-crime charges in swastika branding (USA)

Two men have pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes for a racially motivated assault in New Mexico that included branding a developmentally disabled man of Navajo descent with a swastika, the Justice Department has announced.

Paul Beebe and Jesse Sanford of Farmington, N.M., entered their guilty pleas Thursday. A third defendant, William Hatch of Fruitland, N.M., pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit a federal hate crime stemming from the same incident.

The three men were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2010 on one count of conspiracy and one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. They were the first to be charged under the October 2009 law that expanded the reach of federal anti-hate measures.

Read more at L.A. Times

.

Tory councillor apologises over racist remarks (UK)

A Dover district councillor suspended from the Conservative Party after posting a racist remark on Facebook has apologised.

Maths teacher Bob Frost used the derogatory term for ethnic minorities “jungle bunnies” during an online conversation about the recent riots.

He has apologised “unreservedly” and deleted the posts.

“What I said was wrong and I apologise unreservedly. I am mortified by the offence that I have caused and have deleted these comments. I am very sorry.”

Deputy council leader Sue Chandler said: “There is no place in our society for this kind of language.

“We have therefore suspended Cllr Frost from the Conservative group pending investigation.”

Kent News

Council tells May: Ban EDL march or face judicial review (UK)

Tower Hamlets council is threatening to take the Government to court if it refuses to ban a march by far-Right group the English Defence League.

Leaders are warning of violence if the event goes ahead on September 3 and will seek a judicial review if Home Secretary Theresa May does not ban it.

A council source said: "Something must be done to prevent this demonstration. If a judicial review is the only way then that is what we will do."
The EDL told members in an online message to take "our message into the heart of militant Islam within our own country". The message added: "We will go where we want, when we want."

Last week the Home Secretary banned an EDL march in Telford, Shropshire, saying she was acting to protect communities and property.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Home Secretary can only ban a march in London following a formal application from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police. No such application has been received. The Home Secretary will carefully consider any formal application, subject to the relevant legal tests."

Tower Hamlets Labour group leader Josh Peck said: "The EDL march should be banned. The police are more than capable of keeping them under control, but that won't stop the tension and anger that could exist long after they have left."

London Evening Standard

MP’s call for police probe into far right (UK)

A South Yorkshire MP has written to Home Secretary Teresa May to call for police investigation into extreme right-wing incitements during the riots posted on social media like Twitter and Facebook.

Denis MacShane, who represents Rotherham, said BNP MEP Nick Griffin told his supporters the riots were a ‘black/Jewish affair’ and provided details of areas where riots were taking place.

A member of the English Defence League also used Facebook to say ‘these riots look brilliant’.

Mr MacShane added that another EDL supporter used Facebook to ask where he could obtain Semtex.

He said: “At a time when major prison sentences are being imposed on Facebook users who did not generate any response the police should also take action against the extreme right which used the riots to stoke up race hate and create an atmosphere of violence which contributed to the feeling that anything was permitted.

“Other elected people used their tweets to urge calm and restraint but Griffin tweeted with an orgasmic excitement as he watched the break-down in law and order.”

Mr MacShane added: “I do not think that social media should be used to encourage hate and incitement.”

The Star