Chomsky Signs Petition to Free Prominent Revisionist
September 17th, 2010
Source: Rue 89
A petition to free Vincent Reynouard, a French revisionist who is serving a prison sentence for his research, and to abrogate the Gayssot Act, was initiated by two academics (Paul-Eric Blanrue and Jean Bricmontin) in opposition to the efforts of the Jewish/Zionist Lobby. The petition has so far been signed by 1,000 people. The initiators are proud that it carries Noam Chomsky’s support. His letter of support reads as follows:
“I understand that Vincent Reynouard has been condemned and jailed under the Gayssot law, and that a petition is being circulated in protest against these actions. I know nothing about Mr. Reynouard, but regard the Gayssot law [which restricts free speech and punishes academic inquiry] as entirely illegitimate, inconsistent with the basic principles of a free society as these have been understood since the Enlightenment.
The law in effect grants the state the right to determine historical truth and to punish departure from its edicts […] If the justification of the Gayssot law is to ban “horrendous views”, or to protect the right to “live free from fear of an atmosphere” of prejudice and racism, then it should be obvious that, if such laws were applied impartially, they would criminalize a vast range of public discourse, which, however despicable one may find it, should certainly be permitted in a free society, and indeed is, with no question being raised.
Accordingly, I would like to register my support for the petition protesting the application of this law in this (or any) case.
September, 5th 2010.”
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