Norwegian Sami people have taken their protests against illegal wind turbines to the country’s Royal Family.
It is rare for protests to be held at the Royal Palace in Oslo but the demonstrators took their campaign to its gates as Crown Prince Haakon a regular meeting with the country’s government there.
In the past weeks, the protesters have blocked Norwegian government buildings in Oslo to put the spotlight on the illegal wind turbines that have been set up in reindeer areas in central Norway.
They have demanded the wind turbines are demolished. It has been over 500 days since the Norwegian Supreme Court concluded that the wind turbines violate human rights.
On March 3rd 2023, Norway’s Prime Minister, the Oil and Energy Minister as well as the Agriculture and Food Minister met those who own reindeer at Fosen. Following the meeting with the Prime Minister, the activists lifted the blockade of the government offices. At ten o’clock they moved to the Norwegian Parliament and one hour later they moved up to the Royal Palace.
The Sami people sat down in front of the Palace, but chose not to block the actual road to the palace as first thought. There was a lot of police at the scene when the members of the government arrived for an audience with the Crown Prince. The whole action went smoothly without any kind of drama.
At 11 o’clock they sat down in front of the castle to demonstrate there in connection with the council of state. It was Crown Prince Haakon who lead the council of state on behalf of his father King Harald. The king is abroad and the Crown Prince is therefore acting regent of Norway in his absence.
