– I was very disappointed and surprised that the police try to cancel instead of doing everything they can to protect this important mark of solidarity. That’s what Truls Gulowsen says. He is one of several who have reacted spontaneously in social media to the fact that the Oslo police have recommended canceling tonight’s celebration at Rådhusplassen. Counter-notification from the police On Saturday, all pride events were canceled after the terrorist attack in Oslo, but on Sunday night a new message came. The queer environment announced a marking on Rådhusplassen on Monday night at 7.30 pm. The police had approved this. Oslo Municipality made Rådhusplassen available. They allocated money for the selection. But on Monday afternoon, the counter-message came from the Oslo police. – We have been in contact with the organizer before. Then it was a small selection. Now it has developed into a very large celebration. We recommend that it is not implemented, says Martin Strand, head of joint operational service in the Oslo police district. The police are still there Strand says that the police will still be present, if someone should defy the recommendation and show up: – What is difficult for us is if we have events elsewhere in Oslo that we do not know. It is very difficult to secure those events. Our recommendation is quite clear. We hope the audience takes it inwards. Oslo City Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) originally went out and asked as many people as possible to participate in the celebration. After the police advised people not to go there, Johansen has also changed his mind. – This afternoon, the police have come up with new advice, and asked Oslo Pride to postpone its event at Rådhusplassen tonight. The municipality of Oslo takes note of this, and as city council leader I ask people to follow the police advice, the city council leader writes on Facebook. Reactions on social media When the news became known this afternoon, Truls Gulowsen reacted immediately. He posted this message on Twitter. He thought it was a strange message from the police: – This is a solidarity mark for the hate killings that happened on Saturday night. I think it is very important that as many people as possible show up and show solidarity after the attack that has taken place on Norway’s queer population. – Then we must do everything we can as a society to facilitate that such solidarity celebrations can take place and not drive to cancel them, Gulowsen says. Truls Gulowsen reacted when the police recommended canceling Monday’s pride celebration. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen He himself will take the trip to Rådhusplassen tonight, despite the police’s advice. – I will go there, and I hope as many as possible go there and show solidarity in a strong and safe way. – Wondering why Rødt politician and activist Sofia Rana (R) questions what lies behind the police’s assessment. – The police say they have no indication that anything is going to happen, and then I wonder what the reason is. – They manage to mobilize when racist organizations come to spread hatred in the streets, and then I wonder why they do not manage when Oslo is to gather in love, Rana says. Red politician Sofia Rana intends to defy the police’s recommendation – and plans to attend a pride celebration anyway. Photo: Private She believes it is especially important that people get to meet after the shooting on Saturday. – There are many who are in pain and difficult, so we must show solidarity and stand up for each other. People should not sit at home alone and be affected by this. Our reaction as a city should be to show that we stand together, says Rana. Had a spontaneous parade On Saturday, the pride parade was canceled. Nevertheless, people gathered in the streets and marched from Greenland to Rosenkrantz ‘street where the shooting took place. – People think that the police are sitting on information they do not share, but at the same time say that they do not have it. It will be a double message. I think people will meet anyway, says Rana. Just hours after the mass shooting, a spontaneous pride march was arranged in the streets of Oslo, even though the event was actually canceled. Photo: Mathias Moene Rød / news news experiences that the queer organizations are considering several alternatives, including investing in a digital marking. Nothing has been decided yet.
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Reactions to the police in Oslo recommending canceling the pride mark on Rådhusplassen on Monday – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
