Norway shooting devastates youth camp

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:08:41 GMT

By Bridget Wiffler

Marcus Harris
Photo from http://www.mintmagazine.co.uk/general/world-in-motion-3/attachment/norway-shooting/

Norway shooting On July 23rd, 2011, the peace and serenity of a Norwegian youth camp for teens ages 14 to 19 was disrupted when a man dressed as a police officer began shooting into the crowd, ultimately killing 84 people. Earlier that very same day there was a bombing of a government building in downtown Oslo that killed seven people. This attack is the largest outbreak of violence in Norway since World War II. The assailant is Anders Behring Breivik, labeled as a “32-year-old Norwegian”, according to Deputy Police Chief Roger Andresen. Andresen also added, “He describes himself as Christian, leaning toward right-wing Christianity, on his Facebook page.” Breivik has been charged with terrorism for the massacre and bombing downtown Oslo. Many people may ask themselves, “Why would a right-wing extremist possibly attack innocent teens who were attending, of all things, a summer camp ?” Is this man insane? Is he a sociopath? The camp attacked by Breivik was sponsored by the Norwegian Labour Party, which is known for supporting ideas of progressivism. Progressivism practically goes against everything Breivik states in his manifesto, "2083- A European Declaration of Independence," and is a very left-wing political party. His lawyer, Geir Lippestad, has released a statement saying Breivik was, “high on drugs at the time of the attack,” according to Amy Willis of Telegraph.com. It is also likely that Breivik will use the “insane” plea in his court case, as his lawyer claimed that his client is, “most likely insane” on Tuesday, July 26 th , 2011. One will only know the full story of what happened when this case is fully opened and unearthed. Approximately 90 minutes before setting off the first bomb in Oslo, Anders Behring Breivik, under the pseudonym Andrew Berwick, sent somewhat of an explanation for his actions in the form of a manifesto, containing over 1500 pages, to 1003 people. The main idea set forward in the work has to do with preventing European Islamization from happening. That is, bringing the “spread of Islamic ideas and culture” to a stop. There is no evidence, however, that the curriculum of the political youth camp has anything to do with Breivik’s belief in Islamization. According to Josiane Kremer of Bloomberg.com, the trial concerning the mass murder will not take place until 2012. It will take “several months” before the trial can take place, and the trial will most likely be closed. In the meantime, Norway’s people continue to grieve and mourn their lost ones and continue to hope for the future.

Duke Youth Voice

Norway shooting devastates youth camp