Reykjavík (Nine) Inch Nails
Seven of the Reykjavik Nine
Will Iceland see Egyptian-style rioting in the streets when a controversial verdict is revealed on Wednesday? Will the repression of freedom of speech cause more conflict in the country's capital? Let's revisit the situation:
On December 8, 2008, reacting to Iceland's economic meltdown, a crowd of protesters gathered outside the Parliament building in Reykjavik. Approximately thirty protesters entered the building, and some went into the visitor’s section of Parliament’s chamber to read a petition calling for the Parliament's resignation. No guns, no violence. More of a poetry slam flash mob. Soon after, they were escorted out of the building.
A year later, nine of them were charged with “threatening the government,” only the second time in Iceland's history this law has been enforced. If convicted, they could face anywhere from a year to life in prison. (And if you're wondering why only nine out the thirty were arrested, it's because they were the only ones authorities could identified from surveillance tapes. Hmmm...)
After a polarizing trial that began on January 18th, the Reykjavík Nine will hear the court's decision this Wednesday, February 16th.
And whether you consider them folk heroes, or enemies of the state, you can be sure that this outcome will influence freedom of speech, not only in Iceland, but around the world.
On December 8, 2008, reacting to Iceland's economic meltdown, a crowd of protesters gathered outside the Parliament building in Reykjavik. Approximately thirty protesters entered the building, and some went into the visitor’s section of Parliament’s chamber to read a petition calling for the Parliament's resignation. No guns, no violence. More of a poetry slam flash mob. Soon after, they were escorted out of the building.
A year later, nine of them were charged with “threatening the government,” only the second time in Iceland's history this law has been enforced. If convicted, they could face anywhere from a year to life in prison. (And if you're wondering why only nine out the thirty were arrested, it's because they were the only ones authorities could identified from surveillance tapes. Hmmm...)
After a polarizing trial that began on January 18th, the Reykjavík Nine will hear the court's decision this Wednesday, February 16th.
And whether you consider them folk heroes, or enemies of the state, you can be sure that this outcome will influence freedom of speech, not only in Iceland, but around the world.