Attendees at a lecture by US based Anti-Muslim crusader, Robert Spencer and activists who had assembled to protest his speech had a tense face-off in front of Reykjavík hotel yesterday.
The impact of Islam on Iceland
The local newspaper Morgunblaðið reports that Spencer's lecture at Reykjavík Grand Hotel was attended by 500 people. The lecture was organized by a group which champions what it calls European Culture.
A spokesman for the group told Morgunblaðið that the goal was to raise awareness about the impact of Islam on Icelandic society. A total of 948 people belong to the two Muslim congregations in Iceland, 0.28% of the total population.
A controversial figure
Spencer has come under heavy criticism internationally for spreading Islamophobia and for engaging in hate-speech. He has been barred from entering the UK. Activists had demanded that Icelandic authorities would bar Spencer from entering the country.
The Norwegian White Power terrorist and mass murderer, Anders Behring Breivik, cited Spencer extensively in the manifesto he wrote to justify the slaughter of 77 people, including 69 teens at a summer camp on the Norwegian island of Utøya in 2011.
The lecture has generated significant attention in Icelandic media, as well as on Facebook and on other social media. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV which covered the meeting was banned from taking photographs or shooting video which could show the faces of the people attending the lecture.
Protesters and attendees clash
A group of protesters had gathered in front of the hotel to protest Spencer's message, holding signs and chanting at people when they arrived at the scene. The confrontation between the protesters and attendees were very tense. RÚV reports that at several points the two groups were close to clashing physically. Organizers of the event claim protesters tried to block people from attending the meeting.
The local news site Vísir reports that 50+ people attended the protests.
Protesters: Spencer enjoys the freedom of speech, but so do we.
One of the organizers of the protests told RÚV that it was sad that people felt the need to import foreigners to spread messages of hate and intolerance.
We don't want to ban him from coming to Iceland or from speaking, but we want to use the same freedom of speech that he enjoys to gather here.
The chairman of LGBTQ Iceland, Samtökin 78, and the Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association delivered speeches in front of the hotel to protest Spencer's message.
Attendees at a lecture by US based Anti-Muslim crusader, Robert Spencer and activists who had assembled to protest his speech had a tense face-off in front of Reykjavík hotel yesterday.
The impact of Islam on Iceland
The local newspaper Morgunblaðið reports that Spencer's lecture at Reykjavík Grand Hotel was attended by 500 people. The lecture was organized by a group which champions what it calls European Culture.
A spokesman for the group told Morgunblaðið that the goal was to raise awareness about the impact of Islam on Icelandic society. A total of 948 people belong to the two Muslim congregations in Iceland, 0.28% of the total population.
A controversial figure
Spencer has come under heavy criticism internationally for spreading Islamophobia and for engaging in hate-speech. He has been barred from entering the UK. Activists had demanded that Icelandic authorities would bar Spencer from entering the country.
The Norwegian White Power terrorist and mass murderer, Anders Behring Breivik, cited Spencer extensively in the manifesto he wrote to justify the slaughter of 77 people, including 69 teens at a summer camp on the Norwegian island of Utøya in 2011.
The lecture has generated significant attention in Icelandic media, as well as on Facebook and on other social media. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV which covered the meeting was banned from taking photographs or shooting video which could show the faces of the people attending the lecture.
Protesters and attendees clash
A group of protesters had gathered in front of the hotel to protest Spencer's message, holding signs and chanting at people when they arrived at the scene. The confrontation between the protesters and attendees were very tense. RÚV reports that at several points the two groups were close to clashing physically. Organizers of the event claim protesters tried to block people from attending the meeting.
The local news site Vísir reports that 50+ people attended the protests.
Protesters: Spencer enjoys the freedom of speech, but so do we.
One of the organizers of the protests told RÚV that it was sad that people felt the need to import foreigners to spread messages of hate and intolerance.
We don't want to ban him from coming to Iceland or from speaking, but we want to use the same freedom of speech that he enjoys to gather here.
The chairman of LGBTQ Iceland, Samtökin 78, and the Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association delivered speeches in front of the hotel to protest Spencer's message.
