© AFP
Outside the Malmö Arena, where the Eurovision Song Contest is organized, police arrested demonstrators on Saturday evening who did not want to leave. This would also include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Source: BELGA
Today at 10:38 PM
Swedish police took action on Saturday evening against demonstrators who refused to leave the Malmö Arena. The pro-Palestinian demonstrators tried to block the entrance and shouted “shame on you” at arriving visitors, according to reporters from the Aftonbladet newspaper. When the atmosphere became threatening, the police took action. Tear gas was used, among other things. A spokesperson said about thirty people have been arrested. Among them is said to be environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
The authorities had given permission for two demonstrations against the Eurovision Song Contest and Israel’s participation. The last one was in Mölleplatsen, a park next to the Arena. There, police estimated that around 8,000 people took part in the dabke, a Palestinian folk dance, to the tune of “Ana Dami Falastini” (My blood is Palestinian). If that number is correct, it would be the organization’s intended improvement of the “world record for dabke dancing.”
Until that moment the atmosphere was pleasant. When some of the activists advanced to the festival hall and the streets in the immediate vicinity, things gradually became more unfriendly.
© AP