Le Pen Acquitted On Hate Speech Charges

France 24 reports that Marie Le Pen, leader of France's far right National Front Party had hate speech charges against her dropped yesterday.  Le Pen was charged with "inciting discrimination, violence or hatred toward a group of people based on their religious beliefs" for the comments, which she made at a campaign rally in 2010.  The local prosecutor though asked for charges to be dropped because her comments "did not target all of the Muslim community."  At issue were Le Pen's remarks calling street prayers by Muslims in three French cities an "occupation of territory." The presiding judge said that Le Pen's comments, while shocking, were protected as freedom of expression-- a position supported by the French State Prosecutor. (See prior posting.)