Dutch MP Geert Wilders courts controversy by suggesting women carry pepper spray to fend off Muslim men
Following in the wake of the sexual attacks on women on New Year’s Eve in Cologne, Wilders used a rally in the western Dutch town of Spijkenisse to again push his blunt message against what he calls an “Islamic invasion”.
Tensions over Europe’s migrant crisis bubbled over in a Dutch town on Saturday as far-right politician Geert Wilders handed out fake pepper spray, saying women must defend themselves against Muslim men.
Wilders, whose Freedom Party (PVV) only holds 12 seats currently in the 150-seat Dutch lower house, has seen his popularity soar on the back of the bitter refugee debate fuelling his desire of becoming the next prime minister.
On Saturday, following in the wake of the sexual attacks on women on New Year’s Eve in Cologne, Wilders used a rally in the western Dutch town of Spijkenisse to again push his blunt message against what he calls an “Islamic invasion”.
“We must close the borders,” Wilders said handing out fake pepper spray – which is illegal in the Netherlands – filled instead with red paint.
Women should be allowed to carry pepper spray, he said, to protect themselves against what he termed “Islamic testosterone bombs”.
Let me be clear: the current numbers aren’t sustainable. We are running out of time
But his radical rhetoric drew a counter demonstration from a few dozen women protestors who shouted: “Wilders is racist, no feminist.” About 10 women were arrested at the protest, Dutch media said.