While anti-Semitic writing may be “repugnant,” that doesn’t mean it incites violence against Jews, the defense argued at the trial of a Montrealer accused of fomenting hatred.
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“He has the right not to like Jews, blacks, and even all of humanity […] it doesn’t matter, ”launched Mand Hélène Poussard defending Gabriel Sohier Chaput, today at the Montreal courthouse.
Sohier Chaput, 36, played his last card in the hope of being acquitted of having fomented hatred, in connection with a text published in 2017 on the Daily Stormera prolific American neo-Nazi publication.
Of humor…
The text, using racist and pejorative stereotypes towards Jews, called for “non-stop Nazism, everywhere, until all the streets are flooded with the tears of our enemies”. He had defended himself by claiming to do “ironic Nazism” pouring into what he considers humor.
“For him to be found guilty, it is not enough that people are shocked, it must lead to hatred of the targeted group, that it goes beyond humiliating or offending,” said Ms.and Poussard by recalling the importance of freedom of expression.
As for the photos of Hitler and a same showing an SS officer opening a gas valve, in reference to the Holocaust, the lawyer recalled that, according to her client, these were images that circulated widely online.
“A photo of Hitler does not lead to the hatred of the Jews,” she pleaded, asking for the acquittal.
The Crown prosecutor, Mr.and Patrick Lafrenière, will certainly plead the opposite, but for lack of time, he will only be able to do so in July, the only date available in the judicial calendar.
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com