Protests against Geert Wilders show no tolerance

Protesters against Dutch MP Geert Wilders appearance in Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: Herald Sun

PEOPLE trying to listen to a speech by far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders were pushed to the ground outside a venue in Melbourne yesterday.

A group of about 40 protesters blocked the gate leading into the Somerton function centre and stopped people from entering.

A large number of police, including mounted officers, were on patrol but made no initial attempt to move them.

Mr Wilders was due to give a speech last night in the first part of his Australian tour. He will deliver speeches in Sydney and Perth later this month.

At a press conference Mr Wilders said immigration from Islamic countries should stop but asylum seekers, whose lives were at risk, were OK.

He added most Muslims were not extremists but Islamic ideology would never integrate in democratic societies: "Never, ever, no way."

He added that the Koran incited violence.

"Islam and freedom are incompatible," he said.

Dutch politician Geert Wilders says Australia should not be scared of him. Source: AFP

Mr Wilders was due to visit Australia last October but was forced to postpone the trip because the federal government took its time deciding whether to approve his visa.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said yesterday Mr Wilders was wrong and that there was clear evidence multiculturalism was a positive.