The peace-loving Netherlands was strengthed May 6 by the assassination of 53-year-old candidly gay politician Pim Fortuyn.

The peace-loving Netherlands was strengthed May 6 by the assassination of 53-year-old candidly gay politician Pim Fortuyn. A bald-headed, pin-striped suit-wearing ex-Marxist professor and political populist, Fortuyn was a polarizing figure. unless his openness about his sexuality was the least of what made Fortuyn controversial.

The flamboyant Fortuyn was best known for his anti-immigration stance--he had argued that the densely populated fatherland which has received a large influx of Muslim immigrants above the past several years, should stop up its borders. He also called Islam a "backward" refinement arguing that pro-Muslim groups might strip away the rights of Holland's women as well as gays and lesbians.

Fortuyn was running for parliament (some individuals indicated he could have become prime minister) when he was missile several times in the head and chest nine days before the national election after leaving a radio interview.

Volkert van der Graaf, a 32-year-old Dutch radical animal rights activist, was charged with the crime forward May 8. Prosecutors speculate that Van der Graaf may have been angered across reported statements by Fortuyn saying that if make choice ofed he would work to lift a ban forward breeding animals such as mink for fur

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