Monday, July 25, 2011

Mass rallies for Norway victims

Police have reduced the death toll of the massacre at an island youth camp and bombing in Oslo from 93 to 76.Earlier Mr Breivik appeared in court, accepting responsibility for the attacks but denying terrorism charges.Crown Prince Haakon told 100,000 people gathered in Oslo that "tonight the streets are filled with love".Torchlit processions have been held in towns and cities across Norway to remember the victims of Friday's twin attacks by Anders Behring Breivik.Scores of thousands of Norwegians poured on to the streets of the capital in the early evening, many of them raising up flowers in memory of the eight people killed in the Oslo blast and 68 now known to have died on the island of Utoeya.Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg also addressed crowds in Oslo saying: "By taking part, you are saying a resounding 'yes' to democracy."Thousands of candles flickered, many people carried flowers, sang hymns and hugged each other.He said this was a "march for democracy, a march for tolerance, a march for unity", adding: "Evil can kill a person but never conquer a people."The streets of central Oslo had been closed to accommodate the masses.Crown Prince Haakon said: "Those who were in the government district and on Utoeya were targets for terror. But it has affected us all."A short commemorative concert was held, after which the crowd sang the anti-Nazi hymn "For Youth".One of those attending the rally, Jonas Waerstad, told Reuters: "We are a small society and I think that makes everyone feel affected, whether directly involved or not."

No comments:

Post a Comment