The Husby Riots in Stockholm

The Husby riots in Stockholm By Kristoffer Eriksson Today's riots and frustration in Husby (Stockholm) is a sign that something is not good in the Swedish system. They are those who are trying to gain cheap and populist points from the riots in Husby. But, there is a "Swedish tradition" of those in Sweden who are at the bottom of the Swedish social hierarchy to rebel or show their displeasure. The population of Scania (Skåne), Dalecarlia (Dalarna), Smolandia (Småland), Halland, Finns, peasants, workers, statare1, etc.. they all have rebelled against injustice in the Swedish society. The list is long: the Engelbrecht rebellion in 1434; the Peasant uprisings in Finland in 1438; the Dalarna uprisings in1524-1525, 1527-1528, 1531-1533; the Dacke rising 1542; Lappvesi peasant uprising (at that time, the Swedish South Karelia) 1551-1553; the Cudgel War (Finnish Ostrobothnia) 1596: The Great dalecarlian dance in 1743; the Klågerup riots 1811: the Hunger and military demonstrations in 1917; the Möllevång riots in 1926; the Ådalen shootings in 1931; the Berzelli riots 1951: the Battle of Hötorget Square in 1965; the Hötorget Square riots in 1965; the Gothenburg riots in 2001: the riots in Rosengård in 2008, and now the Husby riots in 2013. These are just a few, the list is even longer. The riots in Rosengård 2008 and now in Husby are no new phenomenon in Swedish history. Since Sweden emerged as a nation sometime in 1000-1200's, those who have found themselves at the bottom of the Swedish social hierarchy, the most socially vulnerable, oppressed and disadvantaged, have rebelled against injustice. What now is happening in Husby (Stockholm) is a "Swedish tradition" against abuses in the Swedish society. It has nothing to do with ethnicity or immigration. Those who have made and revolts are usually the ones who are at the bottom of the Swedish society. There is a logical explanation in that people from affluent localities as Vaxholm, Djursholm, Östermalm, Täby, Bjärred, Skanör with Falsterbo etc.. does not start riots. I myself have been fortunate enough to grow up in one of these, but have a family in Finland who rebelled in 1918 and participated in the general strike of 1956 in order to obtain justice and food on the table. My grandfather explained that people usually do not rebel as long as they can see and reach the food on the table, but when they can no longer do this, they will rebel. We must not forget that the benefits and rights that we have today in the Swedish society, the benefits and rights as many take for granted, did not exist for about 50-100 years ago. We did not receive these benefits and rights due to some politicians' good will. Instead we have been given these rights and benefits through popular pressure that have forced those in power to change the future of the current system and injustice. Since the early 1990s, when a minority coalition of various right-wing parties came to power in Sweden, the Swedish system has changed radically, from a social collective society to become one of the most liberal societies. During the last two terms of office, the right-wing coalition government has made great cuts and rapid changes and deterioration of the Swedish welfare system. These deteriorations have widened the gap between the richest and poorest in Sweden significantly, increased the alienation, and has hit hardest at those who find themselves at the bottom of the Swedish social hierarchy. As previously in Swedish history, the vulnerable and marginalized has started riots and revolts when no one has listened to them. The Husby and Rosengård riots are just two example of this "Swedish tradition". 1 These agricultural laborers were generally viewed as being on the lowest rungs of Swedish society. .

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