As Anti-Refugee Sentiment Grows, Norway’s King Makes Powerful Speech About Inclusion (Video)
A short clip of King Harald V speaking about the citizens of his nation as "immigrants [and also] girls who love girls, boys who love boys and boys and girls who love each other" hit all the right notes at a time when Europe's anti-immigrant right has been gaining ground.A short clip of King Harald V of Norway speaking about the citizens of his nation as “immigrants [and also] girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and boys and girls who love each other” hit all the right notes at a time when Europe’s anti-immigrant right has been gaining ground.
From The Independent:
The King of Norway has delivered an impassioned speech in favour of LGBT rights and the plight of refugees in the country.
Speaking to over 1,000 guests at a garden party outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, King Harald V of Norway argued the concept of home transcended borders and urged Norway to embrace “trust, solidarity, and generosity”.
Since the centre-right coalition gained power in 2013 and ended eight years of Labour Party rule, right-wing anti-immigration rhetoric has risen in the country. Fronted by Erna Solberg, the coalition includes the Conservative Party and the Progress Party, an anti-immigration party which has previously warned about the “sneak-Islamisation” of Norwegian society. … “It is not always easy to say where we come from, to which nationality we belong. Home is where the heart is. That cannot always be placed within country borders. …”
Norway is a constitutional monarchy so the king has no power. Instead, he represents the country in a ceremonial role.
— Posted by Natasha Hakimi Zapata
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