The Koran burnings continue – but the violence died down

With the violent Easter riots fresh in his mind, Rasmus Paludan is out on a Koran-burning tour again.

But few nowadays seem to care.

At Fittja torg, people get on and off buses. Most pass, but a few look around in wonder.

– What is happening? Why so many police officers? an elderly man asks a policeman.

– A general assembly. It’s Paludan, the policeman replies, while the man shrugs his shoulders and walks in the other direction.

Rasmus Paludan, party leader of the Danish far-right party Stram Kurs, has since Monday organized about ten public gatherings around Stockholm where he burns Korans. In the afternoon, it’s Alby and Hallunda’s turn.

The police confirm that the demonstrations held so far have been carried out without major disturbances. This can be put in relation to Paludan’s Koran burnings in Easter, which were met with violent riots in, among other places, Stockholm, Örebro, Malmö and Linköping.

More cops

There are several reasons why Paludan’s activities no longer receive the same attention, says Sten Widmalm, political scientist at Uppsala University.

– The police did not anticipate the extent of the protests and the enormous violence that the Easter riots brought with them. I don’t know if we have seen anything similar in Sweden in modern times.

But after this, several people have been prosecuted. According to Widmalm, it sends a clear signal that one can actually be punished.

It also matters how you act on the spot, according to Widmalm. He says that the association Flamman, which is in place to be able to intervene, has a calming effect.

In addition, the police have adapted their resources.

– In recent times, there have even been more police than demonstrators on site at Paludan’s demonstrations. It affects the propensity to even get there for those who want to use violence.

Dont care

About fifty people have gathered in the square. They stand or sit at a safe distance from Paludan. The police are standing in clusters.

– I feel sorry for him. You have to respect all religions if you live in a free country, says Alice, who does not want to give her last name.

Everyone that TT speaks to says that they have understood that Paludan wants people to be upset.

– We don’t care anymore, says Alice.

Himmet Kaya doesn’t think it’s worth protesting either.

– He’s a zero, it’s just “bullshit”. I am a Muslim myself and I don’t care. For a true Muslim, all religions are equal, says Himmet Kaya and continues:

– His message is to create conflict and irritation. You shouldn’t give him that.

New strategy

Even Sten Widmalm says that it is best that those who are upset by Paludan ignore him. Paludan wants headlines. He wants people to break the law.

But now the political scientist believes that Paludan will have to change strategy.

– People are beginning to perceive desecrating the Koran as rather sloppy.

He does not think any major political successes will be relevant for Paludan either. According to Widmalm, there is nothing to indicate that Stram’s course will be important in the Swedish election.

– On the other hand, I think that Stram Kurs has influenced Swedish politics very much in such a way that it has exposed large gaps in society. I think awareness of these has increased, due to the Easter riots – although it’s nothing to thank Paludan for.

The fact that interest in Paludan has cooled recently and that he can organize demonstrations without riots is a good sign for democracy, according to Widmalm.

– Freedom of expression must not be negotiated away. Instead, it must be ensured that it becomes clear to everyone which rules apply to freedom of expression and demonstration.