Eritrean Cultural Festival in Stockholm Met with Controversy and Riot
From Thursday to Sunday, an Eritrean cultural festival is taking place at Järvafältet in Stockholm. The festival has come under criticism as counter-demonstrators claim it is organized by individuals with close ties to the Eritrean regime, known for its harsh dictatorship.
On Friday, an estimated 4,000 people are expected to attend the festival. However, protests against the event have been planned for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The counter-demonstrators argue that the festival should not be allowed to take place due to its connection with the Eritrean regime.
Yesterday, a violent riot occurred at the festival, prompting the police to withdraw the permit granted to the counter-demonstrators for their protests. According to Per Fahlström, press spokesperson at the police, the decision was made due to severe disorder and serious danger to those present.
The police have allowed the cultural festival to continue, but have increased their presence at Järvafältet to ensure public safety. The decision to withdraw the permit for the counter-demonstrations on Friday and Saturday was made on Friday morning.
Mebrahtom Selomon, the organizer of the counter-demonstration, expressed disappointment with the police’s decision. He questioned why the festival was being allowed to proceed despite the violence that occurred.
Selomon acknowledged that the recent violence was the result of a long-standing conflict and emphasized that while violence is not supported, there is significant emotion and outrage among the youth.
Concerned about potential unrest, the police will maintain a strong presence at the festival site throughout Friday and Saturday.
As for today’s protests, Selomon admitted uncertainty about the number of protesters who will show up at Järvafältet.
The riot during the Eritrean cultural festival started on Thursday when approximately 1,000 protesters gathered in the area. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with clashes between protesters and the police, as well as the setting of fires to cars and tents.
During the riot, one person was arrested on suspicion of arson and 140 people were detained. Reports indicate that 55 people sustained injuries, with eight of them being classified as serious.
As the festival continues, tensions remain high, and the police are prepared to maintain order to ensure the safety of all those involved.