I'm just getting word from Nashville that Christian protestors were forcibly removed by security last night at Cornerstone Church, where Dutch parliament member Geert Wilders was giving a lecture on Islam, Sharia law, and free speech. Wilders is currently facing charges of inciting hatred against Muslims in his native Holland.
According to reports from those in attendance, an audience member shouted, "Jesus said love our enemies!" This audience member was removed from the audience.
I hope to have further coverage and video of this by the end of the day today.
For more on Wilders' visit to Nashville, see this story from Nashville's local CBS affiliate, WTVF.
Updated by Benintn at Fri May 13, 2011 at 09:46 AM CDT
I have a brief statement from Ben Grady, the Nashville man who was removed from the building:
Geert Wilders was making an appeal to Christians and Americans to go against the "invasion" of radical Islam. I was much put off by the use of Christianity to support hatred and biggoted ideals. I had a small sign with me that said "Jesus said love our enemies". After about 20 minutes of listening to Wilders talk, I decided to leave. While leaving, I shouted only once that same slogan (which I will note is derived straight from a Bible verse from the gospel of Matthew). After quoting a Bible verse in a church during a talk founded on free speech, I was then forcefully removed from the church for doing so. The officer came over and grabbed my arm with both hands and held it quite tightly even though I noted to him very civilly that force was not required and that I was leaving anyways. He refused to engage me in civil discourse and then said to my two companions and I that if we came back on church property we would be arrested.
Updated by Benintn at Fri May 13, 2011 at 09:46 AM CDT
I should note that "benintn" is not the same person as Ben Grady.