Hanson compelled to view past videos of herself during contentious hate speech lawsuit.

The courtroom was tense as the final stages of a heated lawsuit against Senator Pauline Hanson were about to begin. The One Nation leader was being accused of hate speech by NSW Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, sparking a bitter legal battle. It all started in September 2022 when Faruqi tweeted that she couldn't mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II due to her role in a "racist empire" built on the suffering of colonized peoples. Hanson, in response, lashed out at the Greens senator, telling her to "pack her bags and piss off back to Pakistan."

Over the course of two days, both politicians faced intense questioning in the Federal Court. The focus was on the reason behind Hanson's response and the impact it had on Faruqi. Justice Angus Stewart presided over the proceedings, listening carefully before he would retire to consider his judgment. Hanson maintained that her tweet was a criticism of her political rival's conduct and not an attack on her race, color, or ethnicity. She even claimed that she was not aware of Faruqi's Muslim background when she made the post.

In an effort to prove that Hanson had a history of racism, video clips spanning 30 years were presented in court. In these footage, she made controversial statements comparing Islam to a virus and accusing Muslims of secretly infiltrating governments. She also stated that it was difficult to differentiate between good and bad Muslims. Faruqi, on the other hand, spoke passionately about the hurt she felt because of Hanson's tweet. She vehemently denied any allegations that she had filed the lawsuit for personal gain.

The court was also presented with evidence from three experts on the destructive impact of racism and the history behind the phrase "Go back to where you came from." Additionally, nine individuals from various minority groups shared their personal experiences and how they were affected by Hanson's tweet.

As the closing arguments were about to begin, tensions were high. It was a crucial moment for both parties to make their final case. The outcome of this lawsuit could have serious implications for the future of political discourse in Australia. Only time would tell what Justice Stewart's judgment would be.

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