On 9 November, Oslo Against Racism (Oslo Mot Rasisme, OMR) and other anti-fascists carried out a demonstration and blockade campaign against the racist conference Scandza Forum at Sinsen in Oslo. The aim of this action was to prevent the nazis from peacefully planning their genocidal agenda.
Unfortunately, the police chose to respond to the action by arresting 28 anti-fascists, slapping the arrestees with fines between 10,000 and 14,000 Norwegian Kroner. We in OMR think there is a frightening tendency within the police, who constantly choose to taunt and punish anti-racists whilst allowing fascists to organise undisturbed. The police could have taken action to stop the conference, as the unsuspecting landlord of the venue requested, but instead they chose to attack us. It is totally unacceptable that the police, in the midst of a community for the handicapped and mentally disabled, attack anti-fascists in this way and detain people in custody for a whole night for protesting against nazis. This is a development we as a society cannot accept!
When right-wing organisations and parties hold racist events, the Oslo police usually choose to devote considerable resources to protecting them. On the other hand, we who demonstrate against these dangerous forces are subjected to custody, harsh treatment, and arrests. In the history books, criticism is often directed at how the growing fascism of the interwar period was met by widespread complacency, and mass resolute resistance only at a point where it was already too late. We cannot accept that people today are imprisoned for acting with greater urgency.
We in Oslo Against Racism have therefore started a fundraiser to help pay the fines and any legal costs. We encourage everyone to stand with anti-fascist comrades in the fight against nazism!
NO PASARAN
Account number: 1254 63 08608
IBAN: NO9012546308608
