In the run-up to the Euro elections now in May and the Swedish general and local elections in September, the Sweden Democrats (Sd), our home-grown fascists (with seats in parliament) have been getting out and about. On Wednesday they came to Gothenburg. These photos show the protesting and protecting of the Sd that went on at Drottningtorget which is a major commuter hub. Like many people I happened upon them on my way home from work – their meeting was no doubt planned to cause the maximum amount of disruption. There were about six party members present (five of them are visible in the above photo if you look carefully) and they had attracted 500+ protesters, many of whom stood with their backs turned – a non-violent way to demonstrate one’s opposition. But there were plenty of people who faced them or only stood half turned (as you can see from the photo below) and most of the protestors were also vocal in their protest. In between, (bottom photo) the police tried keep the two groups apart and ensure that both sides could exercise their democratic rights without coming to blows. Afterwards the Sd speaker complained that the police had not cleared the square of the protestors. The Sd don’t have a very well-developed concept of democratic rights.
… Continue readingProtesting and protecting the Sd