From Iceland — MP Suggests Occupy Protesters Use Parliament Toilet, Get Soup

MP Suggests Occupy Protesters Use Parliament Toilet, Get Soup

Published November 16, 2011

Þór Saari, an MP for The Movement, has sent a letter to the Special Committee on the Standing Orders of Alþingi asking that the Occupy protesters in front of parliament be given access to the toilets in parliament, and be given hot soup.
The Occupy protesters in front of parliament have had to contend with police harassment, legal troubles, and some ferociously high winds earlier this week. The Movement, which was originally formed as an “activist’s party”, has been more sympathetic to these protesters than some of their colleagues in parliament.
In a letter Þór sent to the committee in question, he argues that there are little to no sanitation facilities among the protesters. “I would like to submit that parliament provide some relief to these people, e.g., access to sanitation facilities. One might also consider that the kitchen of parliament have hot soup ready at the end of the working day which could be taken out to the protesters.” He adds that the protesters should have access to the parliamentary toilets “during the time of day when there are no parliamentary meetings”.
In closing, he also encourages members of parliament to “bridge the gap” between themselves and the protesters by greeting them, because “in the end they are the best kind of people”.
The Special Committee on the Standing Orders of Alþingi oversees the functions, rules, and daily workings of parliament, so the object of the letter is not inappropriate. However, it should also be noted that among the people on the committee is Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir, who most recently expressed disgust with the Occupy protesters and the city of Reykjavík for helping them.

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