22 Arrested in Combative Demonstration in Norway
Featured image: Combative protesters at the forefront of the mobilization in Oslo. The banner at the front reads: “NO SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE!”. The banner behind reads: “SUPPORT THE PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE STRUGGLE!”. Source: Kampkomiteen.
Several activists have been arrested in a recent clash with the repressive forces of Norway. Recently, on the 11th of October, as part of qualifier matches for the upcoming football world cup, a match between the national football teams of Norway and Israel was held in the capital of Norway, Oslo. In response to the participation of Israel, a powerful demonstration was organized outside of the venue where the match was being held, which was met with attacks and arrests from the police.
Among the many organizations, groups and individuals participating in the demonstrations were Kampkomiteen and Bergen4Palestine. Anti-Imperialist League (AIL) flags were seen during the demonstration. Kampkomiteen writes: “[unofficial translation] The police attacked the demonstration. They beat, tear-gassed, and trampled people who were protesting. Everyone who was in the area at the time of the attack became a target for the police.” Kampkomiteen goes on to write that the demonstration was not dispersed by this attack, and slogans such as “Struggle against persecution from police and PST! [Intelligence Agency]” and “Shame on you!” was shouted in response.
The police started pushing the demonstration down the road, all the while pushing and hitting the demonstrators. In response the demonstrators formed chains, prepared obstacles for the police, helped each other up from the ground and helped each other remedy the tear-gas attacks.
When the demonstrators eventually pulled back, the police seized the chance to run and arrest anyone they could get their hands on. Kampkomiteen writes: “Several of those arrested were harassed by the police while sitting handcuffed on the ground, and some were also denied necessary medication while in custody. Those arrested were also denied access to a lawyer, and female detainees in particular were subjected to harassment when they defended their own and others’ rights.”
Bergen4Palestine, an activist organization from Bergen, from which at least 2 activists were among the arrested, writes: “This is a serious attack by the police on a legal demonstration, and the most violent attack on a Palestinian demonstration in Norway since October 7, 2023. We condemn this repression and attack on the people’s democratic rights to protest and show resistance. The Norwegian State is carrying out this repression to defend its interests in the genocide of the Palestinians.”
“The police attack was not only an attack on this demonstration and the 22 people arrested, it was an attack on the right to demonstrate and express oneself.”, Kampkomiteen writes in their statement calling for the support and defense of the 22 arrested, and they highlight the importance of all anti-imperialists and friends of Palestine standing together, and “not accepting attacks on any of us”, ending their statement with the following slogans:
Defend the rights of the people!
Our response to repression is mobilization and solidarity!
Stop the police and PST persecution of Palestine activists!
Support and defend the 22 arrested!
Support the Palestinian resistance struggle! Free Palestine!
You can see more pictures and read more about the demonstration in the official report from Kampkomiteen here:
Read their whole statement here:
Tjen Folket Media reports that they have received documentation of several actions made in response to the recent repression by the police in the demonstration:
The slogan “SUPPORT THE PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE’S STRUGGLE!” was reportedly painted on Friday night in the immediate vicinity of where the demonstration took place:
Revolutionary activists painted a mural with the slogan “FIGHT AGAINST PERSECUTION BY THE POLICE AND PST!” in the working class neighborhood of Grorud, Oslo:
