The past couple of days, Copenhagen has seen some of its most dramatic events in a long time.
A house for the so-called alternative youth, has been the center of attention, as the actual owners of the place, a christian group, recently said that they were going to get the place demolished. Following this, the weeks went on, with representatives from both sides, more or less, trying to come to somekind of a deal. Naturally the young people wanted the government to buy the house for them, or at least find another place, which could function likewise. But not able to meet these demands, and unable to offer any kind of economically possible offer to the inhabitants, the negociations came to a halt.
A relatively small group of people then gained control of the house, and, amongst other things, barricaded the place, not making it possible for anyone - fx. the owners to enter.
Unable to come to an agreement, the special operations team from the danish police, chose to do an early morning mission this thursday, taking the young people, residing in the house, on their beds, and throw them in jail.
The last couple of days, youth activists have demonstrated their concern about the whole thing, organizing large demonstrations. These consisting of people from the house, the rest of Denmark and the surrounding countries.
The actions, rather being riots, met massive resistance from the police, and it turned into regular battle in the streets. Civil disorder, destruction of property etc. are among the things that has now led to aprox. 600 arrests.
The activists have been critizised for their way of expressing their anger, violating the laws, and not really grasping the issue in a constructive way, leading to anything useful for themselves.
The Politicians have been critizised for not being able to accept(and deal with) the fact that there is a large group of young people, not 'fitting in', that needs somekind of a physical haven.
And finally the police has been critizised for being too aggressive in their way of dealing with the demonstrations.
What are your views?
A house for the so-called alternative youth, has been the center of attention, as the actual owners of the place, a christian group, recently said that they were going to get the place demolished. Following this, the weeks went on, with representatives from both sides, more or less, trying to come to somekind of a deal. Naturally the young people wanted the government to buy the house for them, or at least find another place, which could function likewise. But not able to meet these demands, and unable to offer any kind of economically possible offer to the inhabitants, the negociations came to a halt.
A relatively small group of people then gained control of the house, and, amongst other things, barricaded the place, not making it possible for anyone - fx. the owners to enter.
Unable to come to an agreement, the special operations team from the danish police, chose to do an early morning mission this thursday, taking the young people, residing in the house, on their beds, and throw them in jail.
The last couple of days, youth activists have demonstrated their concern about the whole thing, organizing large demonstrations. These consisting of people from the house, the rest of Denmark and the surrounding countries.
The actions, rather being riots, met massive resistance from the police, and it turned into regular battle in the streets. Civil disorder, destruction of property etc. are among the things that has now led to aprox. 600 arrests.
The activists have been critizised for their way of expressing their anger, violating the laws, and not really grasping the issue in a constructive way, leading to anything useful for themselves.
The Politicians have been critizised for not being able to accept(and deal with) the fact that there is a large group of young people, not 'fitting in', that needs somekind of a physical haven.
And finally the police has been critizised for being too aggressive in their way of dealing with the demonstrations.
What are your views?
