My Left Foot

Just fooling around :)

"Me and my shadow"

I have been trying out some different techniques lately. This guy was hurrying into his shelter at sunset. The light at sunset always adds a golden touch to any shot. In addition, I used the flash, hoping it would do something spectacular as there was a wire mesh between us. I like the shot, the voters on dpc did not like it much.

I Learned Something About Myself Today

We learn things about ourselves every so often – today was one of those.

Because of the demonstrations concerning the Youth House earlier this month, I thought something similar was going on this morning when police, ambulances and even military vehicles went by my window. I looked out the back and saw they were gathered there. I needed some milk and of course wanted to find out if something serious was going on, so I went out. They stood by their cars, the policemen and the military, very relaxed and drinking coffee. Just a drill, no one had been hurt. I bought my milk and some bread, went home, fetched both cameras and went to the top floor and took a few shots.

What I learned about myself? That I didn’t want to take the camera with me when I went out. I could not take shots of a burning house, people hurt or anything like that...

My Second Ribbon

I really did not expect it, but I got a new yellow ribbon for this shot on dpchallenge.com
One of my goals is to get an average of 7 and I got so very close this time ... 6.9929. Better luck next time I guess.

Spring

Spring is here, or is it. :) Sitting outside in 13ºC is so wonderful, but I am pretty sure winter has not given up just yet. Probably a cold spell or two coming right up.

Those that were arrested during the demonstrations are being released one after the other. Many of them are pretty confused as they were not violent but were taking part in a peaceful demonstration.
The house on Jagtvej 69 has been torn down and the spokeswoman of the religious gropu is pleased as punch over her "victory" and says that now she will go after the gays. Not only is this historic building gone, but it has been torn down. And a bigot is standing there, happy to get her own way. I could cry.

Fellow Traveller / Medløber

Today, Copenhagen's mayor, Mrs. Ritt Bjerregaard, was interviewed on Danish National Television. Not the first interview concerning the demonstrations that have taken place these past few days, and probably not the last one.
In earlier interviews she has stated that she is of the opinion that any group that uses violence should not expect her or the city council to help find a new house for the youngsters that have used the house on Jagtvej 69 for the past several decades.
Today she criticizes all the youngsters that have stated that they are against violence but have not opposed the violence of the past few days. She uses the Danish word “medløber”. I would translate that as Fellow Traveller. Wikipedia explains the meaning of the phrase.

She is of the opinion that those who oppose the violence should make it clear. Where have you been the last few days Mrs. Mayor? I have only been to town once since the demonstrations started and I met two peaceful demonstrations (see last blog). And I know there have been more.

I also know that the demonstrations out on Christianshavn turned violent as soon as the police turned up in several busses. Their presence changed the scene - violence erupted.

I abhor violence and in no way will I condone the behaviour of those that use violence to state their anger or to protest.

I am against Denmark taking part in the invasion in Iraq. Or military intervention. Be it in the name of democracy or any other excuse military nations might use in their interference in other nation’s affairs.

I certainly do not condone the violence against thousands of women in Denmark every week. The violence you Mrs. Mayor probably call prostitution, buying and selling sex. I and many others with me call it violence, in no way would we call it sex.

Does this mean that you are a Fellow Traveller or “medløber”? Something you criticize others for? Or does this mean that you condone the behaviour of those who pay money to be able to abuse other people’s bodies? Or is there maybe an explanation that can be used in this instance, an explanation that frees you from responsibility? Some phrasing that makes it all ok and so very politically correct?

When are you going to insist that Danish police use the law and arrest all those that are breaking Danish law when they profit by forcing women to go into prostitution. So called prostitution is legal in Denmark, but profitting from others prostituting themselves is not legal. And those that are breaking Danish law by renting houses or apartments out for prostitution?

You have the possibility not to be a Fellow Traveller or “medløber” this coming Thursday – March 8^th. International Women’s Day. You can go out and tell us, the citizens of Copenhagen, that from now on, you will try your utmost to better the lives of these women and make life difficult for those who are engaged in trafficking. Till then, I will consider you a Fellow Traveller, a “medløber” to the hallicks and the top figures in traficking.

When it comes to the problems concerning Jagtvej 69, you have more or less stated that this is something you inherited from the former mayor and now you are dealing with it.

Mrs. Mayor: The other problem is even older, please deal with it any way you can, and you will be my hero. You have in many ways been a role model for many women and even if I do note vote for the Social democrats, I have on many occasion spoken in your favour. I will find that hard in the future as I think the way this has been handled is a disgrace. I repeat that I do not condone the violent behaviour of the violent demonstrators.

- I took the photo above downtown a few days ago. The artist behind is from Iceland, her name is Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir and she calls this wonderful piece of art "Journey". Maybe these are Ritt Bjerregaard's Fellow Travellers, I wouldn't know. (The scarves are mine and the hats too.)

Some people have stated that the youngsters in Ungdomshuset are anarchists and thus it is strange that they want the authorities to see to it that they have a house available, and for free too. Many of the young men and women there are anarchists, but not all. And, anarchism, like the rest of the world, might have changed/evolved. Just like socialdemocrats have changed these past decades, really really changed.

PS. An addition after my friend Erla pointed out to me, that it was in fact in this very house, on Jagtvej 69 that Clara Zetkin put forward the idea that March 8th be International Women's Day. And the house was in fact built by the Unions as they could not hold meetings anywhere without interference from the police.

I didn't know that, I wonder if Ritt Bjerregaard knows that. Thank you Erla.

Violence in the Name of Democracy

I have no idea if news of yesterday's war-like situation here in Copenhagen has reached the world. I do not know the whole story, but it goes back a long way. In 1982 young people in Copenhagen were given the house on Jagtvej 69. They could use it as they liked and that they have done since. A few years ago the trouble began, and it was sold to outsiders. That buyer then sold it to a religious sect/group here in Denmark. The young people that have used the house have not wanted to move out, since they see the house as theirs, the sect does not want to sell the house to them (they actually got a decent offer) and they do not want another house instead of this one, since I believe God (her/himself) told them this house was indeed meant for them.
To cut a long story short, a story with court-cases, police-interference, peaceful and sometimes not so peaceful demonstrations - the police evacuated the house yesterday morning with helicopters and the works. With the antiterrorist-law under their arm they could do pretty much what they wanted and that they did. Democracy on thin ice indeed.
I was on the move yesterday, but chose not to go to that part of town. I met these peaceful demonstrators on the town square. Two of the young women came running from the municipal building, smiling and telling the others that they just received word that they were allowed to demonstrate there.
I did meet a group of young women singing a sorrowful song, mourning the loss of their building. Forgot to take a picture.

This bird of peace was very busy putting her feathers in order, reminds me of the chief of police here who never has a feather out of place. But only in that way. Said chief of police was indeed the one who gave the orders yesterday. The one that gave the orders to arrest anyone who came close, and to use teargas when necessary. All in the name of the Queen (that is actually what the police said in their megaphones) and of course in the name of democracy.
I could see the smoke from livingroom window or maybe it was teargas, or both. I don't know what teargas looks like.
I wonder if this is what the religious group wants, or their god. Why is it that religion in so many countries brings war and/or war-like situations?
This is what the mayor wants, the politicians, the law-makers. But not the people, of that I am sure. And I am pretty sure that the gods do not want this.