Swedes dance to protest dance license law

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STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Organizers of a Swedish demonstration said people danced in Stockholm's streets to protest a law requiring bars to obtain licenses to host dancing.

Anders Varveus of the group Dance, Nonsense & Acceptance said more than 1,000 people gathered Saturday in Humlegarden park and listened to speeches from activists before dancing through the city toward the Tanto park, The Local.se reported Monday.

The demonstrators, bearing signs with messages including "live, love, dance" and "dance or die," were protesting a law requiring owners of restaurants, bars and night clubs to obtain licenses before allowing patrons to dance. The businesses could face fines if customers are seek moving to music.

Varveus described the law as "absurd, obsolete and deeply offensive."

He said the licensing policy "infringes on our right to move freely."

Varveus said his group is prepared if legislators refuse to abolish the law.

"Then we will organize another, bigger dance demonstration," he said.