By Enrique Tessieri
Migrant Tales would like to thank all those people who marched in Oulu and Helsinki on Friday against the violence that gripped Oulu last weekend and give simultaneously the thumbs down to the chicanery of others, like Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP from Oulu Olli Immonen, who has warned us about a “culture war” between white Europe and Islam. Is this the first chapter of that “war” that Immonen suggests?
The march in Oulu was organized by the Islamic Society of Northern Finland, surprisingly YLE in English forgot to mention the organizers. The Helsinki march was organized by William Bol and Kadar Kelle.
Here is a video clip on Ilta-Sanomat about the March in Oulu.
YLE in English writes: “Demonstrators called on Oulu decision makers and police to promote tolerance in the community. They also want officials to step up efforts to make the city more secure for immigrants as well as the native Finnish population. This latest racially-flavoured incident has been a pause for reflection for inhabitants, as it was preceded by two other violent acts involving foreigners.”
Even if too many Finnish politicians still prefer to cringe in the face of racism or deny its existence completely like the PS, immigrants, Finns and visible minorities in Finland have no choice but to demand their right to live without fear and harassment.
Hannu
February 25, 2012
What rights they dont have?
eyeopener
February 25, 2012
Human rights, Dombo!!
Foreigner
February 25, 2012
Was not aware this demonstration was taking place. Would have been there “black and proud” , if only I knew. Anyway, good effort on the part of those who organized it. We need to show these racists that we will not tolerate their abuse sitting down!!!
Foreigner
February 25, 2012
Just watched the clip; nice to see some white Finns partake in this demonstration.It is really nice and comforting knowing that not all Finns condone the racist behaviour of some of their compatriots.
Klay_Immigrant
February 25, 2012
A Moroccan dies and this signifies the plight of immigrants and the growing epidemic of aggression against them so a march is held in his honor. But if roles were reversed and a Finn died at the hands of an immigrant this would be classed as an isolated case. Any subsequent march for the Finn would be branded Far-right, fascist, racist or any other similar term. The majority (Finns) are supposed to remain silent and with the media even cover up any violence by immigrants.
The fact that this march has happened I have no problem with, it’s the fact that there is a lack of consistency and double standards depending on who the victim and culprit are. There lies my issue.
justicedemon
February 25, 2012
Klay
Where is your evidence for this?
Suppose some prominent immigrant such as Neil Hardwick or Zahra Abdulla had blogged that Ibrahim Shkupolli deserved a medal for the Sello shopping centre shooting. Is it really your contention that a comparable march would be branded far-right, fascist, racist or any other similar term?
PS local councillor Tommi Rautio provided the setting for the Friday demonstrations by framing the second Oulu incident in warmongering terms that were already used by Jussi Halla-aho during the last parliamentary elections.
The double standards exist only in your prejudiced mind, Hassan.
Migrant Tales
February 26, 2012
–But if roles were reversed and a Finn died at the hands of an immigrant this would be classed as an isolated case.
So, Klay, you don’t care because you are more concerned about the latter? Don’t steer away from the real issue: Violence, former convict, cold-blooded killing. Those are the FACTS not your speculation that only aims to take attention from a problem in society.
Please explain this sentence. It contradicts itself, like you: “The fact that this march has happened I have no problem with, it’s the fact that there is a lack of consistency and double standards depending on who the victim and culprit are. There lies my issue.”
The issue isn’t the “lack of consistency and double standards” it’s your lack of understanding and empathy for what happened.
Klay_Immigrant
February 26, 2012
-”So, Klay, you don’t care because you are more concerned about the latter?”
No Enrique crime in either direction is bad. That’s one of the first reasons that attracted me to Finland, the relative lack of crime compared to let’s say Britain.
-”Please explain this sentence. It contradicts itself, like you”
My statement is pretty self-explanatory. In other words no matter who the victim or culprit are, people should be allowed freely and without being labelled to march on the street to honour the dead and to highlight concerns. This should include crimes committed by immigrants and the over representation of certain immigrants in crime statistics. Where’s the contradiction in that?
Instant Kaamos
February 26, 2012
I applaud the people who were willing to stand up against hatred and violence. Could you post a link to the group that organised the demonstration as I’m sure I’m not the only one that would like to give them my support?
Migrant Tales
February 26, 2012
Why Kalay amid death and sadness you come up with another totally irrelevant thread? Because you feel as outraged as we do by what happened. You only show it in a different way.
Migrant Tales
February 26, 2012
Hi Instant Kaamos, I got one link for you about the organizers in Helsinki.
The organizer of the March in Oulu was: Pohjois-Suomen islamilaisen yhdyskuta.
It’s odd that their name was not mentioned in the YLE story.
justicedemon
February 26, 2012
Klay
Which country has the higher homicide rate?
You have already admitted some time ago that there is no such overrepresentation when like is compared with like. Short memory or dishonesty now?
Let me remind you: the discussion took place on this blog in September 2010. Your contention was based on unweighted statistics, and so you got hit with the point that this methodology also shows that Finnish citizens make less trustworthy bank managers. You then backed up and began to insist on weighting statistics after all. Any of this ring a bell?
Hannu
February 26, 2012
Enrique it was probably better to leave that name out, do some googling and check how much they are for anything even near to tolerance.
eyeopener
February 26, 2012
Thanks Hannu for warning for your “Schlager-gangs”. That’s how you thugs try to influence the discussion.
Your behavior is a disaster for Finland, a disgrace. But you don’t care!!
Friend of Nano btw??
luckyluce
February 27, 2012
eyeopenor
Why are you discrediting Nano?
Aaron
February 28, 2012
did anybody here take part in the demonstration?
Migrant Tales
February 28, 2012
Hi Aaron and welcome to Migrant Tales. I am certain that some may have, but I didn’t. I read that the organizers in Helsinki are planning to launch a new demonstration three weeks from today that would be nationwide. If you live elsewhere than Oulu or Helsinki you could organize one in your community.
Mary Mekko
February 29, 2012
Ku Kliterodectomy Klan is marching in Finland, quiet Keskisuomi Oulu? Isn’t it cold outside?
Instant Kaamos
February 29, 2012
Thanks for that. But it seems that the Helsinki march was called by individuals, not an organisation. If there was an anti-racist organisation in Finland (similar to Hope not Hate in the UK), I’d definitely join. As an immigrant, it would make me feel more welcome in this country too.