A quote from The Wall Street Journal Europe’s leading editorial, 4 September 2007

Belgian justice brings to mind a certain novel by Kafka. Last month the mayor of Brussels banned a demonstration planned for September 11 under the slogan of “Stop the Islamization of Europe.” An administrative court upheld that decision last week. So much for free speech and freedom of assembly in Europe’s capital. […] [T]he administrative court in Brussels refused to overrule the mayor. It said the plaintiffs had failed to show “irreparable damage,” such as those that result from contractual obligations. The court also suggested the demonstration could perhaps be held another day – a rather speculative remedy as the mayor has not said he would allow such a rally on a different date. Besides, the organizers chose September 11 for its historic significance.
 
The judges overlooked that if law-abiding citizens are not allowed to express their opinions on any given day, it causes irreparable damage to the plaintiffs’ rights and Belgium’s democracy. Perhaps the civil court to which the organizers have appealed will give more weight to these arguments at tomorrow’s hearing.