Legal Project
The Legal Project is an off-shoot from Daniel Pipes' organisation Middle East Forum.
History
According to right-wing news site Breitbart, it was reportedly established to 'protect the right in the West to freely discuss Islam, radical Islam, terrorism, and terrorist funding'.[1]
The Legal Project's website claims 'the Islamist movement has two wings, one violent and one lawful' and quotes Steve Emerson as saying: 'Legal action has become a mainstay of radical Islamist organizations seeking to intimidate and silence their critics.'[2]
Activities
According to its own website, The Legal Project works in four ways to 'counter the Islamist threat' as it sees it:
- 1) Fundraising for an Escrow account to supplement the court costs and litigation fees for victims of Islamist lawfare - all funds raised go directly to lawfare victims,
- 2) Arranging for pro bono and reduced rate counsel for victims of Islamist lawfare,
- 3) Maintaining an international network of attorneys dedicated to working pro bono in the defense of free speech and,
- 4) Raising awareness about the issue. Efforts include briefings by legal experts on how to avoid libelous statements, and consultations with libel lawyers before publishing on certain topics.[2]
Support for Geert Wilders and others
The Legal Project supported Dutch Party for Freedom leader Geert Wilders to appeal hate speech charges and French anti-Muslim activist Christine Tasin with legal costs for a similar appeal.[1]
