Oslo Pride: Marchers refuse to bow to hate
mambaonline.comLGBTIQ+ Norwegians gathered for a “spontaneous” Oslo Pride march following Saturday’s deadly shooting (Photos: Anna Riksaasen) Despite the official cancellation of Oslo Pride events, LGBTIQ+ Norwegians defiantly took to the streets to march in the wake of Saturday’s deadly gay bar shooting. Oslo Pride was cancelled just hours before it was set to place, on the recommendation of the police.
The organisers called on “anyone who had planned to participate in or watch the parade, not to show up.” The move was in response to the early morning horror attack on revellers in and around the London Pub, a popular gay nightclub and bar in the centre of the Norwegian capital.
Two men, in their 50s and 60s, lost their lives while 21 were injured; ten were said to be in a serious condition. A lone gunman, now identified as 42-year-old Zaniar Matapour, was arrested for the attack.
Despite the cancellation, thousands of LGBTIQ+ people and allies refused to allow hate to triumph and came out for what was called a “spontaneous” Pride march.
