Do you really want to encourage everyone to demonstrate on highways?
Yes. Peaceful civil disobedience is for everyone, then there are rules such as not masking oneself and taking the consequences of one's actions. But peaceful civil disobedience is an important part of democracy. One has to tolerate it in a democratic society.
A dozen people from the organization had gathered outside the Supreme Court in Gamla Stan to receive the verdict against the eleven activists from the group who in August 2022 blocked the E4 in Solna during rush hour traffic. When the acquittal was read out, jubilation broke out.
The Supreme Court concludes that the disruptions to traffic were not so severe that they can be considered sabotage, which the district court had done.
This is a victory for our children. You don't have to be afraid to demonstrate, says Anita Maria Eng from the organization who read out the verdict outside the court.
Opinion turns against climate demonstrators
Anders Bäcklund, one of those acquitted of sabotage, thinks it's good that the Supreme Court clarifies what applies, since courts around the country have assessed similar events in different ways.
This feels fantastic. If they had decided that we were saboteurs, what would the next step have been then? Terrorists? he says to TT.
After resistance and in some cases hatred from the public, Anders Bäcklund says it feels like the opinion has turned for the group and climate demonstrators in general.
The Swedish people know that this is an important issue, he says.
However, the group still regularly receives death threats, according to Pontus Bergendahl.
It's a hatred that I think politicians incite with their harsh rhetoric. I think they should think about what they're doing.
Already affected by the charges
One of those who risked imprisonment was Viktor Jonsson. He is now breathing a sigh of relief.
We are already marked by all the charges. You can't get jobs and so on, but it's a huge relief that we no longer have to be afraid of being arrested when we go out and demonstrate. The Supreme Court has taken our line and understood that it's important for democracy, he says and continues:
During these three years, several people have been detained for sabotage at demonstrations. It's not good that the police and prosecutors have such broad powers to be able to test themselves in that way.
Återställ våtmarker has no more highway demonstrations in its plans. Next, the group will head to Västra Götaland to fill ditches in protest against peat extraction.
