At least 1,000 people have taken part in a demonstration in Amsterdam against the planned release of a film expected to be highly critical of Islam.
Protesters objected to the planned internet release of the film by Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders. Mr Wilders says the 15-minute film deals with Islamic ideology which he describes as “the enemy of freedom”.
Some protesters in central Amsterdam carried signs that said “Stop the witch hunt against Muslims”.
“We can no longer remain silent. There is a climate of hate and fear in the Netherlands,” said Rene Danen, a spokesman from anti-racism organisation Nederland Bekent Kleur (The Netherlands Shows its Colours), which organised the protest.
See also Canadian Press, 22 March 2008
And “Web host suspends site planned for anti-Koran film”, Reuters, 22 March 2008
In the UK the fascists rally to the defence of their co-thinker Wilders: BNP news article, 23 March 2008