Norwegians raised their voices in unison on Thursday to get under the skin of admitted mass killer Anders Behring Breivik.
An estimated 40,000 people turned out in central Oslo's Youngstorget square to sing "Children of the Rainbow," a Norwegian version of "My Rainbow Race," written by American folk singer Pete Seeger.
During his trial for the killings of 77 people last summer, Breivik cited the song as an example of Marxist influence on Norwegian culture.
The Norwegian version of the song describes a "World where – every sister and every brother – shall live together – like small children of the rainbow," according to a report in the Norway Post.
Breivik, whose trial in Oslo City Court began last week, boasts of being an ultranationalist who killed his victims to fight multiculturalism in Norway.
Thursday's event, which included a march to the courthouse to drop roses outside, was “a beautiful, touching scene,” said Geir Engebretsen, the court chief justice in charge of Breivik's terror trial, according to a report on Views and News from Norway.
"It’s a very moving manifestation of Norwegian culture," Engebretsen said, according to the report, which cited Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
The idea for Thursday's singing statement came from two women, Christine Bar and Lili Hjonnevag, who became upset with Breivik's derision of the song and posted a call on social media for others to join them in singing it on the square, Views and News reported. They expected a few dozen people, the report said.
But by Tuesday, 4,000 people had accepted their Facebook invitation – and then 10 times that many turned up Thursday.
“I think this just shows that people felt a need to show their feelings, to make an expression of how they value the Norwegian democracy. It’s fantastic," Views and News quoted Labour Party Secretary Raymond Johansen as telling NRK.
Culture ministers from Sweden, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Iceland joined in the song, the Norway Post reported.
Lillebjorn Nilsen, who wrote the Norwegian version of the Seeger song, led the crowd in singing both the Norwegian and English versions, according to the Views and News report.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Now, that is what I call a peaceful gathering!
Ha.
Well done.
Norwegians showing how well cultured and civilized they are. Beautiful!
Huge mistake for the Chief Justice to comment on the scene outside. He just gave this murder grounds for appeal!
I agree. I could not believe that the judge showed such an obvious bias in such a public way. In the US it would be grounds for recusal demands and yeah, another avenue of appeal later on.
He is not chief justice..
he is not a judge in the case either...
It was not the chief justice who commented on the event.
So you're an expert on Norwegian law? Didn't think so.
AWESOME!!!! Gave me chill bumps to see how strong the Norwegian people are. God bless each and every one of you. Breivik is not a Christian as he claims, because Christians look beyond the color of ones skin or the accent of one's speech. We are all God's children and I hope Breivik got the message that he is the SICK one and not Norway!
LMFAO!!!
Are there that many blacks in Norway?
@TheGreenMan
Yes, there are...why do you ask?
and how did they get under his skin singing that?
He hates that song.
If I had 40,000 people outside singing a song I detested, it would cetainly get under my skin, too.
Why don't you try reading the article?
Nice. essie Jackson should watch and learn.
beautiful protest! lets fill the world with love and overstanding!!!
Wow!
As someone with Norwegian ancestors, let me just say that singing is not what Norwegians are usually known for.
Funny. True, but very, very funny.
Ditto nonplussed , What a wonderful idea-cannot think of a better statement against everything that horrid man believes.
The Norwegains showing a lot of class.
More reasons why we need to be diligent here in America and stop these ultra right wing psychos from hijacking our government and destroying the dreams of our founding fathers. Stand up for the rights of ALL Americans, not just the privelaged!!! Keep politics out of the bedroom and church out of politics in 2012 America, its your right!!!
I'd suggest that they sing Rebecca Black's "Friday" instead, but that would be too cruel even for him.
It made me cry just reading your post, lol.........