The Global Machine Behind the Rise of Far-Right Nationalism

[SummerMadness]

The Global Machine Behind the Rise of Far-Right Nationalism

Johnny Castillo, a Peruvian-born neighborhood watchman in this district of Stockholm, still puzzles over the strange events that two years ago turned the central square of this predominantly immigrant community into a symbol of multiculturalism run amok.

First came a now-infamous comment by President Trump, suggesting that Sweden's history of welcoming refugees was at the root of a violent attack in Rinkeby the previous evening, even though nothing had actually happened.

"You look at what's happening last night in Sweden. Sweden! Who would believe this? Sweden!" Mr. Trump told supporters at a rally on Feb. 18, 2017. "They took in large numbers. They're having problems like they never thought possible."

The president's source: Fox News, which had excerpted a short film promoting a dystopian view of Sweden as a victim of its asylum policies, with immigrant neighborhoods crime-ridden "no-go zones."

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The Global Machine Behind the Rise of Far-Right Nationalism

Nothing happened that night, but meanwhile Sweden was/is embroiled in serious immigrant problems from a collapsing social service network to crime, especially rape, and a political divide over the issue.

Of course that's of little consequence now that Trump's statement has been debunked. Nothing to see here.

 

[Rick Otto]

Conspiracy Theory

 

[wing2000]

...continuing from the article.

But two days later, as Swedish officials were heaping bemused derision on Mr. Trump, something did in fact happen in Rinkeby: Several dozen masked men attacked police officers making a drug arrest, throwing rocks and setting cars ablaze.

And it was right around that time, according to Mr. Castillo and four other witnesses, that Russian television crews showed up, offering to pay immigrant youths “to make trouble” in front of the cameras.

“They wanted to show that President Trump is right about Sweden,” Mr. Castillo said, “that people coming to Europe are terrorists and want to disturb society.”