An estimated 200 people took part in a neo-Nazi march in Sweden on Saturday, reviving the controversial ‘Salem march’ on the 25th anniversary of the killing of 17-year-old skinhead Daniel Wredström.
Wredström, a nationalist activist, was stabbed to death in 2000 during a confrontation with other teenagers, allegedly of immigrant background, in Salem, in the outskirt of Stockholm.
The killing became a rallying symbol for far-right movements, including Sweden’s largest neo-Nazi group, the Nordic Resistance Movement.
The Salem march was held annually from 2000 to 2011 before gradually fading out. In 2010, the right-wing nationalist party, the Sweden Democrats, also entered parliament.
The revival of the march sparked strong criticism from politicians, including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
This is “an expression of abominable perceptions and a terrible view of humanity” he said on Saturday.
Kristersson also sought to reassure the public, adding that “no one should have to worry about their own or others’ safety, regardless of religion or ethnicity, whether they were born here or have a background in other parts of the world.”
But other politicians voiced their support for the march.
Gustav Kasselstrand, leader of the far-right party Alternative for Sweden (AFS), which sits outside parliament and has been publicly distanced by the Sweden Democrats, encouraged people to participate ahead of the demonstration.
“I think it is … positive that Swedes remember murdered Swedes. Our politicians and journalists certainly won’t do it for us,” he said on 15 November.
Several critics questioned why the police authorised the rally, including the Salem municipality itself, who appealed the decision on 3 December. Counterprotest also took place on the same day.
Sweden’s Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer defended the decision by invoking the right to free speech.
“We have wide freedom of speech in Sweden, and as far as order and security allow, even those who hold extreme and deeply unpleasant views are permitted to demonstrate,” he told the Swedish media Aftonbladet.
Magnus Lund Nielsen contributed reporting.
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