Unrest Aftermath in Copenhagen
MR | 21.02.2008 14:42 | Free Spaces | Migration | Repression | Social Struggles | World
After a week of burning barricades, cars and public buildings across the country the unrest has settled down. Now we're looking back at what actually happened.
Intense pressure from police and specifically one incident of an elderly immigrant man being beaten by police caused more than a week of continuous riots in most parts of the country culminating in several burnt down schools and public institutions. In the end a total of about 45 young immigrants were arrested, most charged with arson and vandalism.
On Monday a group, identifying themselves as "Drengene fra indre Nørrebro" ("the boys from inner Nørrebro") sent a letter to a national newspaper, explaining that the riots had been the result of unbearable discrimination and harassment from the police against the immigrant community. The group described themselves as ordinary young people with jobs and educations, and also said, that they would cease their activity now, hoping to be treated with greater respect in the future.
Mainstream media have made a concerted effort to link the riots to the response from fundamentalist muslims against the reprint of the so-called Muhammed drawings. Very few seem interested in the actual reason or the statements from the communities denying any link.
In the press it has also been casually discussed whether the army should be employed, and one national news paper also asserted "it is evident that muslims lack the culture of debate, and thus fail to appreciate the value of the all encompassing freedom of speech in our democracy."
From the political side condemnations of the riots have abounded from all sides. Prominent politicians have made suggestions for "solutions" to the problem of "unadjusted, bored youngsters burning cars for fun and Muhammed". None of these solutions have mentioned actually listening to the rioters.
On the contrary several members of parliament from center aligned parties have talked about making adult immigrant parents pay damages for the riots (not by law applicable to anyone else in the country), equipping "maladjusted" teenagers down to the age of 12 with electronic surveillance shackles and forcibly relocating large groups of immigrants from Copenhagen to suburbs in Jutland.
All in all a disturbing picture is emerging, and no public voices have been raised against the increasing state racism evident in the society.
From
http://english.indymedia.dk/
On Monday a group, identifying themselves as "Drengene fra indre Nørrebro" ("the boys from inner Nørrebro") sent a letter to a national newspaper, explaining that the riots had been the result of unbearable discrimination and harassment from the police against the immigrant community. The group described themselves as ordinary young people with jobs and educations, and also said, that they would cease their activity now, hoping to be treated with greater respect in the future.
Mainstream media have made a concerted effort to link the riots to the response from fundamentalist muslims against the reprint of the so-called Muhammed drawings. Very few seem interested in the actual reason or the statements from the communities denying any link.
In the press it has also been casually discussed whether the army should be employed, and one national news paper also asserted "it is evident that muslims lack the culture of debate, and thus fail to appreciate the value of the all encompassing freedom of speech in our democracy."
From the political side condemnations of the riots have abounded from all sides. Prominent politicians have made suggestions for "solutions" to the problem of "unadjusted, bored youngsters burning cars for fun and Muhammed". None of these solutions have mentioned actually listening to the rioters.
On the contrary several members of parliament from center aligned parties have talked about making adult immigrant parents pay damages for the riots (not by law applicable to anyone else in the country), equipping "maladjusted" teenagers down to the age of 12 with electronic surveillance shackles and forcibly relocating large groups of immigrants from Copenhagen to suburbs in Jutland.
All in all a disturbing picture is emerging, and no public voices have been raised against the increasing state racism evident in the society.
From
http://english.indymedia.dk/
MR
Homepage:
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