Neo-Nazis in Sweden

 
 
 
 

Vocabulary

belief	profess	make no bones
neo	incident	backwater
fringe	weapon	sympathizer
Zionist	cooperate	movement (2)
pure	violence	revolution (2)
end (2)	achieve	foundation
expo	dominant	quarter (2)
NATO	observe	intimidate
activist	convict	extremism
illegal	influence	possession
link (3)	asylum	present (3)
injure	assault	intelligence (2)
arrest	suspect	Nordic (3)
willing	defense	connection
traitor	militant	distance (2)
ethnic	charge (3)	deportation
elite	so-called	resistance
area (3)	declare	domestic (2)
rally	populist	concentrate
rural	support	express (2)
active	scene (2)	make their presence felt
surge	profit (2)	branch (2)
repel	aim (2)	representative

 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

The people meeting here make no bones about their beliefs: they openly profess to being part of the National Socialist community.

Neo-Nazis from throughout northern Europe have gathered here in the Swedish backwater; the far-right fringe of the far-right.

Almost six-hundred members and sympathizers of the so-called Nordic Resistance Movement are present.

They’re calling for a Nordic Revolution, the creation of a racially pure society. And they are prepared to use violence to achieve those ends.

Jonathan Leman, Anti-Racist Expo Foundation: “This movement is so dangerous, because it’s the most militant organization among the far-right groups; it’s become the dominant power in the scene.”

And Jonathan Leman should know: a social scientist he works for the Expo Foundation, which has been observing right-wing extremism in Sweden for years.

That’s why he’s here today.

Jonathan Leman, Anti-Racist Expo Foundation: “One quarter of its activists were either convicted or at least charged with the illegal possession of weapons in 2015 alone.”

The Neo-Nazis for example have been linked with bombings near asylum seekers’ hotels, which left two people seriously injured.

Sweden’s domestic intelligence agency, the SAPO, has arrested three suspects from the group in connection with the incident.

The Nordic Resistance Movement was unwilling to talk to us. But the group’s political leader shows clearly what he thinks of Sweden’s Defense Minister, calling him a traitor of the people, because he wants to cooperate closely with NATO.

The Neo-Nazis’ website is also no less clear about what they want. They call for the “deportation of people who aren’t ethnic Northern European as soon as possible.”

They also speak of the need to “repel the powerful Zionist elite and its military and economic influence.”

Their declared aim: to introduce a national socialist society.

And they’re not just active in Sweden — there’s also a group in Norway, and a very active one in Finland.

Last September, a man died after being assaulted at a Neo-Nazi rally. He had protested against their views. Police arrested a Finnish branch member.

In Sweden, the Neo-Nazis are concentrating on building up support in rural areas, like here in Falun in central Sweden. And they’re very much making their presence felt.

Angelica Andersson, Anti-Racism Activist: “They try to intimidate people. I’ve experienced that because I’m actively fighting racism, but my friends who aren’t as politically active have also experienced it.”

The Neo-Nazis have profited from the surge in support for the Sweden Democrats, a right-wing populist party, even though the party officially distances itself from the resistance movement.

Jonathan Leman, Anti-Racism Expo Foundation: “There are members of the SD and representatives that express support, sometimes for groups such as the Nordic Resistance Movements. Sweden Democrats is a party that works in the Swedish parliament, whereas this is a revolutionary and Nazi movement.”

Today there are no clashes: the Scandinavians are generally famed for their tolerance and cool headedness. The Neo-Nazis represent a real challenge to those values.

 

 

Questions

1. The members of the movement probably admire Adolf. True or false?

2. Have Nordic Resistance Movement gathered in the center of Stockholm?

3. What is their ultimate goal?

4. The movement is harmless. Is this right or wrong? What have they done or committed?

5. Are their aims entirely racial, ethnic or demographic?

6. The movement is restricted to Sweden. Is this correct or incorrect?

7. Do they only dislike non-White people? Are they only against non-Whites?

8. Is there a close relationship between the Sweden Democrats and the Nordic Resistance Movement? What is the relationship between the SD and the NRM?

 

A. There are Neo-Nazis or extremists in my community or country. Yes or no? Do they have sympathizers?

B. What is their agenda or aim?

C. What is the history of extremism? Has it been increasing, decreasing or remaining the same over the years? What have they been campaigning for or against?

D. What might happen in the future?

E. Should the government of people do anything?