The far-right politician addressed the Q Society of Australia
on Friday night at a function centre in Liverpool on the third leg of his
controversial tour of Australia. Protesters gathered outside the venue to voice
their anger at the MP's controversial tour.
Many members of the media were blocked from entering the
event, despite having being told by the ultra-conservative Q Society group that
they would be allowed to attend.
A well-hidden illegal mosque in Surry Hills of Sydney? (Funded by Saudi Arabia and named King Faisal mosque) |
In the speech he made disparaging remarks about the Koran, the
holy book of Islam. He said when some journalists charged him with being
intolerant he replies: "I prefer the so-called intolerance of Churchill
over the so-called peace of Islam."
Mr Wilders called participants in last year's riots in Sydney
"al-Qaeda sympathisers", and noted that there were now more than 60
mosques across the city.
About 100 protesters, many carrying anti-Wilders placards,
rallied outside the function centre before the start of the speech and chanted:
"Muslims are welcome, racists are not." Police officers, including
some on horseback, ensured guests invited to the event could make it through
the crowd.
Outside the event an anti-Wilders protester addressed the
crowd over a loudspeaker. "We have to make sure that these people are
hounded if they try to do these things," he said. "Thanks for helping
brand Geert Wilders what he really is."
Muslim riots in Sydney (2012). |
Mr Wilders is the founder and leader of the Dutch Freedom
Party, which holds 15 seats in the Dutch parliament. He cancelled a media
conference and speaking engagement in Perth on Wednesday after a four-star
hotel scrubbed his booking.