protests
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Foreign Affairs Minister Bjarni Benediktsson Glitter Bombed — Twice
Protestors threw red glitter at Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson on December 8 during a meeting marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Held at at Veröld – Hús Vigdísar, the schedule of events was to include opening statements…
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Great Moments In Icelandic History: The Bónus Flag at The Parliament
This moment has a pretty unique stand in this writer’s mind, as I witnessed it take place. I was a young journalist when it happened in 2008 and I remember the tension it presented, which I tried to explain in an article…
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Controversial “Article 19” Used Against Activists, Statement Issued
Several Icelandic activists face now face criminal penalties, all of them charged with violating Article 19 of the Law on Police, a controversial law which several Icelandic lawyers the Grapevine has spoken to have pointed out violates both the Icelandic constitution and…
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Planned Russian Protest To Take Place In Reykjavik
Russian citizens have planned to protest outside of the Russian consulate in Reykjavik, a statement from organisers to the press has announced. The planned protest will take place on Saturday 6th February. The Russian citizens will protest against the human rights violations…
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23 People Awarded Damages For Protestor Police Report
23 people were awarded damages for a 2014 police report on some of the people who attended the protests against the government following the financial collapse of autumn 2008, Fréttablaðið reports. Damages awarded by the Icelandic government totaled 7.46 million ISK, with…
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A Stacked Deck: Police, Courts, And The Right To Protest In Iceland
Icelanders have developed a positive reputation for their protests. Praised for having driven a government out of power, for pressuring authorities to prosecute bankers, and for organising the draft for a new constitution, to any outside observers it would appear as though…
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Ten Years Later: The Protests That Brought Down The Government
In October 2008, Iceland became the focus of international attention when its entire financial system collapsed. Part of the cause was undoubtedly connected to Iceland’s tiny currency being especially vulnerable to shockwaves from the devastated real estate market in the US, but…
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Ask A Philosopher: What Led To The 2008 Crash?
As we look back on the 10th anniversary of the post-crash protests that brought down the Icelandic government, the root causes of the collapse were philosophical as much as they were financial. So we contacted doctorate student of philosophy Sævar Finnbogason to…
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VIDEO: Protests Held Against Klausturgate MPs In Front Of Parliament
About 200 people turned out in front of Parliament yesterday to protest the fact that the six MPs involved in the Klausturgate affair are still on the job. With four of the MPs attempting and failing to take legal action against whistleblower…
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Videos And Photos: The Icelandic Protests That Toppled The Government, Ten Years On
Ten years ago this week, protests in Iceland kicked into high gear, and precipitated the downfall of the government and early elections. By now, the financial collapse of the Icelandic economy in October 2008 is a part of the historical record, and…
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The Peacemaker: The Legacy of Haukur Hilmarsson
It may be hard to believe now, but there was a time when Icelanders adamantly believed that protesting was just not something they do. Sure, there were riots when Parliament voted to join NATO in 1949, but apart from that, the running…
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Icelandic Police Forced To Pay Damages To Protesters They Spied On And Libelled Against
Yesterday, in Reykjavík District Court, the Icelandic government admitted fault and paid damages to two protesters targeted by an infamous report on the 2008-2009 protests written by former Chief Superintendant of the Police Geir Jón Þórisson and released to the media in…
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Over 16,500 People in Iceland Sign Petition To Withdraw From Eurovision In Israel
More than 16,500 people in Iceland, and rising, have recently signed an online petition to withdraw from the next Eurovision contest that will be held in Israel in 2019. Further, the Icelander who made Eurovision matter to Icelanders – Páll Óskar –…
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Icelanders To Hold Solidarity Protest With Romanians Today
A snap protest will be held in front of the Icelandic parliament today in solidarity with the thousands of Romanians who have been protesting against government corruption in their own country over the past two weeks now. Gabriela Rădulescu, one of the…
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Last Words: Why Can’t Icelanders Throw?
Making a generalization about an entire population is usually frowned upon. It’s the tactic of demagogues, racists and men over the age of 55. There is no such thing as “positive” racism or “helpful” sexism–even if it helps an individual attain something.…
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600 Silver Lions: How Iceland was Betrayed, Again
The Panama Papers scandal hit us like a tsunami. Iceland, a nation of 330,000, has 600 names on the list! Sweden, with its 9.5 million, has only 200 names. Once again we’re the champions of corruption and swindle, the amoral dimwits of…
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Don’t Ask Nanna: About The Panama Papers
Hey Nanna, I’ve been following the protests online and can’t stop wondering – what’s with all the people holding bananas and putting bananas on picket signs? Best, Bananarama Hey Bananarama, It’s because Iceland is the leading producer and exporter of bananas in…
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We Asked The Protestors: What Do You Want To Happen?
We went down to a rainy protest outside of Alþingi tonight (Wednesday 6th of April 2016) and asked the protestors one question: “What do you want to happen?” Sirra “I want this government to step down and an election immediately. They’re saying…
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Grapevine At The Scene Of The Protests
Grapevine visited the scene of today’s protests, and talked to a couple of Icelanders about why they have turned out today to demand Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson resign. Grapevine will keep you updated on events as they unfold via our Twitter…
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Hundreds Protest Rape Culture And Police Inaction
Following the highly debated case of two suspected rapist-torturers leaving the country after police decided not to take them into custody, hundreds showed up to protest outside the metropolitan police station in downtown Reykjavík today. The event was organised on very short notice…
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Prime Minister Booed By Thousands At Independence Day Celebrations
Thousands attended yesterday’s Independence Day protests, and the Prime Minister was given quite a reception. As can be seen and heard in this video, Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson was met with boos, shouts, drumming and whistles from protestors, many of them…
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In Time With Protests, Petition Calls For President To Dissolve Government
A new petition implores President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson to dissolve the ruling coalition, gaining more signatures in the wake of yesterday’s protests. The petition has received over 2,500 signatures at the time of this writing, less than 48 hours after it was…
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Trust In Iceland’s Parliament Drops Further
According to a new Gallup poll only 18% of Icelanders trust the parliament – a 6% drop since last year, reports Kjarninn. The results are perhaps no surprise in the wake of recent actions by the government to withdraw Iceland’s EU bid…