Message of Solidarity

The Democratic Socialists of America wish to express our sorrow and outrage at the recent tragedy in Norway. We extend our sympathy and solidarity to the Norwegian people, the Norwegian Labor Party, and the Labor Party Youth Movement (AUF). Our thoughts are with the injured and their families and friends and we join the global community in mourning the premature deaths of young socialist activists who had already demonstrated their commitment to social justice. The racist and xenophobic perpetrator of these crimes targeted the Norwegian Labor Party government and young Norwegian socialist activists because of their commitment to tolerance, internationalism, and multiculturalism.

A fanatic influenced by intolerant right-wing "Christian" ideology seems to have perpetrated these crimes against humanity and we hope the assassin is brought to justice. A similar form of racial and xenophobic bigotry fused with reactionary nationalism exists in our country, as we saw in the 1995 bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. We need to extend our efforts to fight against the hate-filled politics of the new right, and to further those humanistic ideals that bind those on the democratic left around the globe.