Title: Activists’ Roadblocks Threaten Public Safety, Moderate Politicians Argue for Stricter Penalties
Subtitle: M-politician: Activists expose people to potential life-threatening danger
Published: September 23, 2023, 06:30
Today, Stockholm prepares for another day of chaos as activists plan to block traffic once again. Fredrik Kärrholm and Dennis Wedin from the Moderate party argue that the penalty for such dangerous roadblocks must be significantly increased. The pair claims that imprisoning those convicted of sabotage is necessary to prevent further crimes and to discourage others from engaging in similar activities.
A surge in road blockades has recently caused disruption in traffic across Stockholm, with activists mobilizing on social media platforms to occupy prominent areas such as the Central Bridge. Kärrholm and Wedin argue that these actions cannot continue and demand the incarceration of these “reckless saboteurs.”
Their concerns stem from an incident in August, when several ambulances were unable to reach the Karolinska hospital due to traffic jams caused by road blockades. Such traffic stops, they warn, can have life-threatening consequences by delaying emergency services or hindering firefighters from reaching burning buildings.
One particular organization, Restore Wetlands, has been repeatedly targeting rush hour traffic in the capital, holding hundreds and thousands of commuters hostage in traffic jams. While recognizing the importance of freedom of demonstration in democracy, the authors argue that causing severe disruptions to traffic does not fall within the absolute right to organize public assemblies.
The authors emphasize that the police have the right to intervene and stop such demonstrations, as they constitute crimes of sabotage. However, they point out that the penalties imposed thus far have only resulted in fines for the activists and consider this punishment insufficient.
To address this issue, the Moderates promised in their election campaign to increase the penalty to a minimum of 12 months in prison along with mandatory detention. The government is currently conducting a comprehensive review of criminal law, which would provide the foundation for stronger penalties.
The authors also call on the Police Authority to prioritize the problem, taking decisive and preferably preventive measures. They stress that activists have no excuses and emphasize that they expose people to potential life-threatening danger.
Moreover, the government’s investment in restoring wetlands has been substantial, highlighting the importance of this issue for climate, water, and biological diversity. However, the authors argue that creating traffic congestion and problems do not serve the environment or people’s well-being.
In conclusion, Kärrholm and Wedin advocate for stiffer penalties to deter these criminal saboteurs. They believe that this approach would not only restore order in traffic and eliminate serious risks but also allow the police to allocate their resources to more crucial matters.
Join the debate and comment on the article by visiting Aftonbladet Debatt on Facebook.