– I was shocked and angry. But not surprised. It was just like I had a feeling that something like this would happen. I lost the illusion that nothing can happen on Utøya. That’s what Eivind Rindal says. He is the leader of Trondheim pride, but went to Oslo to mark the weekend. On Saturday night, two people were killed and several others injured after the shooting at Per on the corner and the London Pub. The latter is known for being a gathering place for gays. The nightclub was to be a safe haven for queers. The place they could be themselves suddenly became a nightmare. – A bad feeling – I got the first calls when I got home, says former AUF leader, Eskil Pedersen. Like many others, he was at the London Pub in Oslo to celebrate pride. He left the nightclub about ten minutes before the shooting started. In 2011, the then AUF leader survived the terrorist attack on Utøya, now he was only minutes from ending up in a new attack. – It is clear that to experience that arena suddenly becomes very insecure, it is an extra bad feeling. Pedersen spent the rest of the night calling friends who had been to the nightclub to check that they were well. Back in the same mode as on Utøya Many of those who were at the London Pub had also been to Utøya on 22 July 2011, Pedersen says. Rindal was at the bar Cesar nearby. – We were a small group who enjoyed ourselves with beer when we heard the first shot. I did not think it was shooting that happened until I heard the second shot. UTØYA: Jonas Gahr Støre and Utøya survivor Eivind Rindal on Utøya during a memorial service in 2012 – the year after the terrorist attack. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Suddenly Rindal spotted a person holding a weapon at the outdoor cafe. – Then I realized that it was serious. I was straight back in the same mode I was in on Utøya in 2011, he says. He describes it as being calm and very focused on what he has to do to save his life. – One of the things that struck me was how long it took before people started reacting. Rindal ran into the bar and took a friend with him, before they climbed over some fences and got away. – Crucial with spontaneous pride parade On Saturday morning, Oslo pride was canceled on the advice of the police. Nevertheless, several thousand people chose to fill the streets of Oslo with color and love, to join the canceled pride parade. Pedersen also went there. – It felt very good to be part of. Rindal thinks it was good to see the strength and community in the queer environment. – The spontaneous march shows that the commitment is there. I think the marking that was instead, was absolutely decisive for how we will later refer to what has happened. PRIDE: Thousands of people gathered despite pride being canceled. Photo: Brynjar Mangor Myrtveit Osgjerd / news Pedersen believes it is an important signal that so many people defied the fear they may have, and showed up in a spontaneous pride parade in solidarity with those who were affected, and others queer. – When we are hit by this horrific action, it tells me that this fight is far from over, Pedersen says. Rindal has also had time to reflect on the night’s horrific event. – It has been a tough and tiring day. One of the things that has struck me is how the experience from July 22 has been there throughout the day, and made me more equipped, he states. – Must stand up against all extremism The accused 42-year-old must have a long history of violence and threats. – PST has had knowledge of the perpetrator back to 2015, with concern that he is being radicalized and part of an extreme, Islamist contact network in Norway, PST chief Roger Berg said during a press conference. The perpetrator’s motive for the shooting is currently unknown, but the police do not rule out that the action can be linked to his health. It is also being investigated whether political violence or hate crime may be a motive. FLOWERS: People flocked with flowers and flags outside the London pub in Oslo. Photo: Håvve Fjell / Privat Pedersen says that for him it is not a very important point what ideology or religion a person behind these cruel acts makes himself known by. – For me, this is about standing up to all extremism no matter what name you claim it comes from. He believes it is important that the police and PST follow these environments, both right-wing extremism and militant Islamism. – I think everyone in the queer environment feels insecure now, Pedersen says to news. Rindal believes the action shows that we still have a long way to go. – It shows how important it is with pride markings. In fact, there are people who literally want to cross over corpses to prevent the queer open and free life in society.
ttn-69
Utøya survivors Eskil Pedersen and Eivind Rindal were right at the shooting in Oslo – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
