STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Thousands of Swedes said they intend to be ate an anti-Nazi rally a week after a similar gathering was beset by extremists in the town of Karrtorp.
Protesters had gathered in the town square after swastikas painted as graffiti began appearing around town. While there, a group of neo-Nazi youth assailed the protesters, hurling fireworks and bottles at the crowd. Police said the neo-Nazi response caught them off guard. Twenty-six people were detained, about half younger than 20, for their violent response to the protest.
Now, more than 5,000 people have pledged to attend a second rally planned for Sunday, a Facebook page promoting the anti-Nazi protest claims.
"See you on Sunday at 12! Because Nazism and racism have no place in our society, because the streets and the squares belong to all of us, and because we will never be scared into silence," the Facebook page says.
Hermes Holm, a Stockholm advertising executive, told TheLocal.se he plans to attend Sunday's rally in support of the anti-Nazi movement.
"The worst thing that could happen now is that people put on a muzzle and stop working against Nazi reactions for fear of stirring up violent reactions," Holm said. "We have to have a progressive dialogue about equality, class and race in Sweden."
