A neo-Nazi march took place in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, on Saturday, marking the first event of its kind in 15 years. The rally drew many far-right white supremacist groups, marking a frightening reemergence of these extremist ideologies within the country. This march commemorated the killing of a 17-year-old individual linked to extremist factions, reigniting discussions about the presence and influence of neo-Nazi groups in Sweden.
The police issued approval for the rally to take place, upholding the freedom of assembly. In the early 2000s, these marches happened annually. They went completely off the public radar for more than 10 years. The reintroduction of this polarizing event just last year has raised the hackles of local neighborhoods and civil rights activists. They fear that it might incite further hate-inspired or violent actions.
They denounced his killing, which was associated with wars driven by right-wing extremism. The convening was a beautiful and powerful tribute. It opened the door for these groups to more ardently articulate their styles of ideology. As many observers have noted, this recent event is illustrative of a much larger trend. Far-right factions in Sweden and throughout Europe are increasingly brazen and coordinated.
Local leaders and lawmakers watched with shock and fear as the demonstration unfolded. Numerous individuals expressed fears about public safety and the threat of counter-protesters. Historically, this sort of rally has brought out counter-demonstrators in support of free speech opposing hate speech and racism. In addition, the heavy police presence at the event helped deter violence and protect communities from those who sought to cause harm.
The return of this neo-Nazi march—and the concerns surrounding it—get to the heart of complicated questions about freedom of expression and public safety in Sweden. The right to assemble is a core function of a democratic society. As so many of us argued, permitting these events only legitimized extremist ideologies that still threaten social cohesion today.
