A person with connections to the Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement has applied for and been granted permission to organize a so-called public gathering. However, the police do not want to describe the demonstration as right-wing extremist, says press spokesperson Ola Österling.
We at the police are neutral in our views. We have been issuing a permit for a march for a week now, which is issued to a private individual. The permit has been granted and sent out.
Counter-protesters are expected
Österling does not want to speculate on how many people are expected to participate in the march, but he says that the police are prepared for counter-demonstrators to be present.
We have noted that there will be counter-protesters. We will ensure that they are also allowed to express their opinion.
The Salem March was organized by far-right organizations between 2000 and 2010 in memory of the murder of a 17-year-old boy with far-right connections, who was stabbed to death in Salem by a teenage boy of foreign background on December 9, 2000.
“A lot of cameras”
On several occasions, violence has arisen in connection with the march.
"We will have a lot of cameras. We will have camera trucks, drones with cameras and video cameras. All police officers in uniform have body-worn cameras. And we will report every form of crime you can imagine," says Österling.
"There is concern in civil society when demonstrations like this take place. We have a great deal of respect for that and will also try to take it into account. But we are working closely with the Salem municipality on that," he continues.
Anja Haglund/TT
Fredrik Shayn Scherman/TT
Background: The Salem March
TT
On Saturday, the Salem March will be held for the first time in 15 years.
Between 2000 and 2010, the march was organized by far-right organizations in memory of the murder of a 17-year-old boy with far-right connections. The boy was stabbed to death in Salem by a teenage boy of foreign origin on December 9, 2000.
On several occasions, violence has erupted in connection with the march, when demonstrators and counter-demonstrators have clashed.
The permit application for Saturday's demonstration was submitted by a person with connections to the Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement.
