NGOs lauched a petition on Thursday to support the “targets of Schild & Vrienden” in the case by the same name, which will be heard by the Ghent magistrates’ court on 12 September.
“The racist and sexist smear campaigns are part of a political climate of violence and intimidation, in which women, people from migrant backgrounds and LGBTQ+ people are particularly targeted,” say the organisations.
The petition, which has already been signed by some 2,700 people, was launched by nine NGOs: Hand in Hand tegen racisme, Kif Kif, Ella vzw, Rebelle vzw, Een Andere Joodse Stem, Het Groot Verzet, çavaria, Wel Jong and the 8 May Coalition.
Schild & Vrienden founder Dries Van Langenhove and six co-accused will face charges including Holocaust denial and incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence.
In June 2019, the now former far-right MP was formally charged and then conditionally released. He has always denied the charges and was hoping to have the case dismissed by the Council Chamber.
“Members of Schild & Vrienden have mocked the Holocaust, posed with weapons and glorified Nazi ideology,” say the associations. “Their hateful actions were and still are mainly directed against women, people from migrant backgrounds and LGBTQ+ people.
"After Van Langenhove’s resignation as an MP, his ‘activism’ remains dangerous, making support for the legal fight against the far right crucial.”
