On the day 13 years after the terrorist attacks on 22 July, Vestre encourages all Norwegians to dare to stand up against attitudes that can lead to hatred, violence and less tolerance.
– All of us who live in Norway are guardians of Norwegian democracy, says Vestre to NTB.
He attended the memorial ceremony in the Government Quarter on Monday, where Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) warned in his speech against radicalised, extreme attitudes.
Everyday democracy
The West does the same.
– It is a strong reminder to all of us that there is a lot at stake, and that each one of us has a responsibility to take care of our everyday democracy, he says.
The Labor deputy leader and the Minister of Health and Welfare was one of the speakers during the memorial service in Oslo Cathedral. There he spoke about the grief over everyone who passed away on 22 July, but also about hope for the future.
– And I have faith in our neighbors. On the generation to come. I have faith in the good forces, in those who get involved. Because it is they, you, who will take society forward. Which will carry both the past and our common promise into tomorrow, said Vestre.
Was on Utøya
Later he will visit Utøya, where he himself was on 22 July 2011. Vestre thinks it is both nice and strong to go back.
– It is forever a reminder of the 69 we lost there, 77 in total with the Government Quarter. But it is also beautiful to see that it has become a place for youthful engagement across political lines.
– Utøya has become everything the terrorist did not want it to be, and that gives a certain hope, I would say.
#Vestre #guardians #democracy
2024-07-24 03:57:17
