When Behaving Normally Becomes an Act of Rebellion

Easter holds a special place in the Norwegian psyche. It marks the end of winter, and the way it is celebrated is that people move out of the cities in order to self-isolate in the mountains where the snow continues to lay deep. They flock to their cabins from where they go skiing, overdosing on snow and sunlight. As a result, towns become markedly empty of people. Those who live in cities, with no cabin in the mountains, can celebrate in their own way as they have the towns more or less to themselves.

All of this would be ideal in this time of the flu. It would achieve the social distancing required in order to flatten the curve, and it would happen spontaneously as it is a deep seated part of the Norwegian culture. However, politicians have decided to ban this annual ritual on grounds that it is unfair to have people celebrate spring under the grim circumstances of the flu. Everyone have therefore been ordered to stay at home.

This radical measure is unheard of in peace time. The last time Norwegians were faced with a similar restriction to their freedoms was during the early 40s. But the average Norwegian is trusting of their government, so the intrusion into their freedoms has been met with acceptance. Instead of self-isolation, people decided to go out for the short walks, generously allowed to them by their rulers.

The result of this was that the streets of Oslo were suddenly packed with people. A short walk to a Norwegian lasts after all anything from one to six hours. Going out into the fine weather to celebrate the first day of Easter, none of these people were thinking of rebelling. They were merely hungry for the start of spring, and the fine weather lured them out into the streets. But once they found themselves all out at the same time, many must have realized that what they were doing was in fact an act of rebellion. The mayor of Oslo certainly recognized it as such. Furious to see people disobeying his orders to stay home, he called the police department. But no-one there were interested in using manpower to break up what was after all within the law, all be it a liberal interpretation of it.

Impatient with his police force, the mayor called the national guard. But again, he was met with reluctance. It would look too much like the sort of measures that were used during the Nazi occupation of Oslo. Besides, the Nazis were never successful in their efforts to subdue the people. History is clear. Nazi laws do not work well against people who demonstrate defiance in peaceful ways. Without any violence being used by the demonstrators, Nazi methods fail because Nazi methods require violent opposition in order to come across as reasonable.

Having reacted in the irate way of Quisling himself, the mayor of Oslo is unlikely to survive this episode politically. He has shown himself for the person he really is, and will from now on be associated with the Nazi occupation of Oslo. Only a miracle can save his political career going forward.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see if this peaceful rebellion will persist, and eventually force the Norwegian government to backtrack from their draconian measures that prevent people from self-isolating in their cabins in the mountains. While many must have been surprised by the rebellious nature of their walk, it's unclear if they will continue to go for these walks. Many may feel ashamed about their unwitting protest. Others may be quite enthusiastic. Which side wins out will be clear over the next few days.

By Riksarkivet (National Archives of Norway) from Oslo, Norway - Portrett av Vidkun Quisling i sivile klær, ukjent datering., No restrictions, Link