National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP Wille Rydman, whose xenophobic views have earned him the dubious label of being Kokoomus’ Jussi Halla-aho, is suspected by the police of harassing underaged girls. He is the same MP pushing hardline policies against asylum seekers because he is worried about sexual harassment. Former Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho was
Search Results for: Jussi Halla-aho
Reija Härkönen: Jussi Halla-aho viihtyy salarakkaansa helmoissa – onko se Suomen etu?
Vuonna 2019 ihmeteltiin, miksi perussuomalaiset ovat europarlamentissa liittoutumassa Venäjä-mielisten äärioikeistopuolueiden kanssa. Isänmaallisuus, joka persuilla on arkihokema, on Suomessa tavannut tarkoittaa melko nihkeää suhtautumista itäiseen naapuriin. Jopa perussuomalaisten veljespuolue Ruotsissa, Sverige Demokrater, piti persuvalintoja kummallisina. Aihetta käsittelevässä artikkelissaan Ilta-Sanomissa 16.5.2019 toimittaja Arja Paananen kuvasi perussuomalaisten ”joustavaa valmiutta hyväksyä Venäjän tapa selittää omaa toimintaansa – olivatpa nämä toimet länsimaisen
Jussi Halla-aho, who wanted the Greek army to crush protestors ten years ago, is expected to replace Mika Niikko
According to Helsingin Sanomat, former Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-ago is expected to replace Mika Nikko, the chairperson of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, according to Helsingin Sanomat. Niikko resigned Tuesday evening after he suggested in a tweet that the West should assure Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine will not join Nato. While Niikko is
Let’s continue to expose Jussi Halla-aho’s and the PS’ big lie
Just like former US President Donald Trump continues to spread the big lie about election fraud, so do Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho and his party about the threat of immigration and cultural diversity. Last month’s municipal elections were a disappointment for the party after it had invested resources generously in its copied “Take Finland
Riikka Purra is a poor copy of Jussi Halla-aho
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Jussi Halla-aho’s heir-apparent appears to be the party’s first vice-president, Riikka Purra. While Halla-aho has swung the party to the far-right and encouraging xenophobia, Purra has parroted the PS leader’s racist soundbites but with questionable results. Like Halla-aho, Purra loathes Muslims and people of color. So much so, in fact, that she warned
Jussi Halla-aho announces he will step down as PS chair in August
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Chairperson Jussi Halla-aho announced Monday that he will not seek reelection as the party’s head at the annual meeting in August, according to Yle News. While some party members expressed sadness about the news, Halla-aho will not be missed by many. No reason was given for his departure. There is, however, some speculation
Is Jussi Halla-aho’s deep voice fake?
Elizabeth Holmes built a 9-billion-dollar company called Theranos from scratch that promised to test blood with a single drop. One of the many deceptions she used to trick investors was her deep voice. As a woman, it gave her more authority. Those who have watched Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho for a few years will
Jussi Halla-aho is a racist, and so is the far-right party he leads
Uusi Suomi, an online publication that played a key role before the 2011 parliamentary elections in giving the racist rhetoric of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party a platform, published today an interview with a cultural researcher, Tuija Saresma, who concluded that Jussi Halla-aho and the PS are racist. While these types of statements are a foregone
Mikael Kallavuo: Mihin kohtiin demokratia–fasismi -akselilla Jussi Halla-ahon näkökulmat sijoittuvat?
Toimittaja Lauri Nurmen tekemä Jussi Halla-ahon epävirallinen elämäkerta -teos auttaa syvemmin ymmärtämään perussuomalaisten puheenjohtajan poliittisia päämääriä. Tuskinpa kovin moni edes tietää, kuinka tiiviit kytkökset Jussi Halla-aholla on äärioikeistolaisena ja jopa fasistisena pidettyyn Suomen Sisuun. Aluksi keskustelu- ja kirjallisuuspiirinä toimineessa Suomen Sisun perustajien Thule-ryhmässä luettiin monia Natsi-Saksan ja äärioikeistolaisten kuuluvia teoksia. Lukemistoon kuuluu muun muassa ”Ku Klux Klanin entisen suurvisiirin, antisemitistin ja valkoisen
Jussi Halla-aho and the PS are the wolves in sheep’s clothing
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED One interesting matter about how Perussuomalaiset (PS)* politicians spread racism is how they try to hide it in sheep’s clothing. The trick, from the PS perspective, is to spread in code as much as possible your racist views. An interview on Saturday in Yle’s Ykkösaamu with PS chairperson Jussi Halla-aho showed
Jussi Halla-aho’s anti-Semitism has come to haunt him, more blow to credibility
Attacking Finland’s Muslim community is not hard for the likes of Jussi Halla-aho and the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party. It is, however, a different story when anti-Semitic rhetoric comes to play. Halla-aho’s racism and, in particular, his anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Afrophobia are well known. Of these three, anti-Semitism is the biggest threat to his political future.
Jussi Halla-aho is a fake and his party’s disingenuous and misleading claims
Anyone who has followed Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho’s political career will easily conclude that it was done on the fuel of racism and bigotry, and generous chunks of it. Racism had become such a normal matter for the PS that on the same day when Halla-aho claimed on Marja Sannikka’s talk show that he
Thanks to France, Riikka Purra, like Jussi Halla-aho, is foaming at the mouth and eager to showcase her racism
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED I, for one, am happy that Perussuomalaiset (PS)* politicians like MP Riikka Purra constantly expose their racist and bigoted self. Purra is not only a Finnish white supremacist but a person who would have felt at home in the pseudo race “theories” of the Third Reich. Imagine any person stating with
Ranska on tehnyt Jussi Halla-ahosta onnelinen
Oletko huomaneet kuinka rasisti puhuu ja mietti asiat? Rasisti yleistä, leimaa ja potki vyön alle. Katso Perussuomalainen puhenjohtaja Jussi Halla-ahon tyytyväisiä kirjoituksia kun hän pääsee todistamaan kuinka rasisti hän on ja kuinka oikeassa hän oli Ranskasta. Kysymys Halla-aholle: Edustako yksi ihminen 1,8 miljardia muslimeja? Puolustavatko kaikki muslimit mitä tapahtui Ranskassa? Tuskin. Edustiko Anders Breivik kaikki
Exposing white Finnish privilege #74: The anti-Semitic beast inside Jussi Halla-aho
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED In a recent debate with Center Party chairperson Annika Saariko, the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party head, Jussi Halla-aho, was put on the hot seat after asked about his anti-Semitic blog writings. He denied being an anti-Semite and said that the claim was a popularity stunt by Lauri Nurmi, who recently published an
The Norwegian mass murderer, 22/7, and Jussi Halla-aho
Hateful and racist words can turn into bullets. THE STORY WAS UPDATED Two days and nine years had gone by when Norway and Europe witnessed the horrific events of 22/7 that left 77 people dead and many others with physical and psychological injuries for the rest of their lives. One of the matters that we
WTF: Jussi Halla-aho on Pekka Kataja and his blind spot and alternate reality
Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairperson Jussi Halla-aho is the Finnish version of Hungarian strongman Viktor Orbán. If he had his way, Finland would deport Muslims, deny asylum to people dependent on race, encourage dog-eat-dog economics, and scale down the welfare state. Halla-aho’s alternate reality and that of his party sometimes cause a knee-jerk reaction: WTF. We have
Puheenjohtaja Jussi Halla-ahon kauheimmat sitaatit: “Mestari” ei runkkaa eikä syö hatullisen paskaa
Perussuomalaisten puheenjohtaja Jussi Halla-aho on luonut poliittinen ura solvamalla helppoja maaleja kuten Muslimeja ja muita vähemmistöjä. Hän ei ole vielä sanoutunut irti vanhoista ja loukkaavista kirjoituksista, vaikka myönsi viime vuonna, että osa (emme tiedä mitkä) ovat “tyhmiä ja harkitsemattomia.” Vaikka Halla-aho käyttää eri ilmaisuja tänään kun puhuu maahanmuutosta ja islamista, hänen kannanotot ja maailmankuva on
Keep on sticking your foot in your mouth Jussi Halla-aho
Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairperson Jussi Halla-aho is on a roll: Heading south in opinion polls, he now wants Finland to ditch the euro “immediately.” That follows another demand: exit international refugee agreements so that no Muslims can seek asylum in Finland. If Halla-aho, who is considered Finland’s number one racist politician, has his way, it will
Jussi Halla-aho is President Donald Trump’s Finnish cheerleader
The Islamophobic and populist Perussuomalaiset (PS) is a party that attempts to revindicate far-right racists on the rampage and its leader, Jussi Halla-aho, is US President Donald Trump’s enthusiastic cheerleader. Halla-aho, who has a conviction for ethnic agitation, breaching the sanctity of religion and being a racist smartass, stated his undying admiration for a president
Jussi Halla-aho and PS press kit is now available
Check out our constantly updated page about Jussi Halla-aho and the Perussuomalaiset. The aim of the page is to keep in the spotlight the racist and far-right matters that Halla-aho and the PS say on a weekly basis. We will also publish anti-immigration quotes from parties like the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), and Christian Democrats.
The PS’ and Jussi Halla-aho’s “circus” tour continues after fascist Toni Jalonen resigns as PS Youth vice president
THIS POST WAS UPDATED Some may believe that the big news from the weekend is that the former second vice president of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Youth, Toni Jalonen, admitted publicly to being “an ethnonationalist, traditionalist, and a fascist.” Reaction to what Jalonen affirmed came fast and hard after it hit social media. National Coalition Party
Disingenuous Jussi Halla-aho, disingenuous fascist-spirited Perussuomalaiset
It is justified to consider the Nürnberg trials a farce. Guilt was decided in advance, and the justifications for the sentences were absurd.[1] Perussuomalaiset* (PS) chairperson Jussi Halla-aho (2010) Isn’t it incredible how PS Youth second vice president Toni Jalonen put himself in the eye of a political storm when he admitted over the weekend
What would Jussi Halla-aho and the PS say if Harvey Weinstein lived in Finland? Would anti-Semitism spiral out of control?
If there is one party that racializes sexual assaults, especially committed by Muslims, that party is without a doubt the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*. Its chairperson Jussi Halla-aho, first vice-president Riikka Purra, MP Sebastian Tynkkynen, and the rest of the 36 MPs of their party in parliament. All of them, the 39 PS MPs, used Islamophobia and
Jussi Halla-aho, tavisten maalittaja
Nyt kun Silakka-liikkeessä kovasti pohditaan, saako politiikkaa vastustaa siten, että mainitaan, kuka sitä vastustettavaa politiikkaa tekee, jäin jälleen miettimään sitä, kuinka helpolla meillä media ja poliitikkokollegat päästävät rasistiset tyhjänpuhujat. Suomen media puhuu kyllä suorin sanoin ruotsalaispuolueista ja niiden johtajista rasistisina, mutta Jussi Halla-aho saa lähinnä vain kunnioittavia kyselyitä siitä, kuinka sitä maasta heittämistä sitten oikein
Jussi Halla-aho and his ilk have made it clear: the only “real Finns” are white and Christian
White Finnish supremacy is not only limited to the Perussuomalaiset (PS).* It is found in other mainstream Finnish parties as well. THIS STORY WAS UPDATED This is how a far-right white supremacist like Jussi Halla-aho attempt, like in a Yle interview in February, argue why people of color and other minorities can never be Finns:
The media does Jussi Halla-aho’s campaigning for free. The alternative media can stop it.
Ever wonder why there is an obsessive interest by the Finnish media of Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho? Most of his views are centered on anti-immigration rhetoric and white supremacy (fear of becoming a minority) as well as conservative views on topics like economic policy and the environment. The media’s interest in Halla-aho is one
The Finnish media’s ongoing fascination with Islamophobes and racists like Jussi Halla-aho
What has surprised me about Finland is how the media and others appear fascinated by Islamophobes making racist statements. It gets media attention and is the fuel to parliament. Is it because these types of people speak directly to their hearts?
Jussi Halla-aho reinforced in today’s Yle interview why the Perussuomalaiset is a xenophobic populist far right party
Thursday evening Yle interviewed Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Hallo-aho, a candidate for MP in next month’s elections and who built his political career on racism and Islamophobia. His performance was poor but it proved once again why the PS is a far-right party.
PS’ Jussi Halla-aho on TV offerng simplistic views on migration and Finnish identity
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho was a guest on Yle’s Ykkösaamu. Convicted for ethnic agitation and breaching the sanctity of religion in 2012, the PS chairperson gave his usual simplistic views on immigration and Finnish identity.
Islamophobia and xenophobia on steroids: Jussi Halla-aho’s latest column in MTV
The Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson, Jussi Halla-aho, who was convicted of ethnic agitation and breaching the sanctity of religion in 2012, is a columnist for television station MTV. Two matters emerge when skimming through his latest column: The media is part of Finland’s racism problem; and the PS is the first modern Finnish party to capitalize exclusively on immigration, especially Islamophobia.
MTV: Normalizing racism and bigotry in Finland with Jussi Halla-aho’s help
After attending a European Network Against Racism in Brussels that ended Saturday, I discovered on my arrival to Finland that Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Chairman Jussi Halla-aho, who was convicted for ethnic agitation in 2012 and who built his political career on Islamophobia, is now a columnist in MTV, Finland’s largest privately owned television station.
The PS splits into two factions – chairperson Jussi Halla-aho faces unprecedented mutiny
The former chairperson of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, Timo Soini, has struck back at the newly elected head of the PS, Jussi Halla-aho, by joining 20-MPs to dith the PS and form a new parliamentary bloc called Uusi vaihtoehto, or New Alternative, according to Helsingin Sanomat. The new bloc stated that it wants to remain
Jussi Halla-aho elected PS chairman. What happens next and will the party remain in government?
While it’s no surprise that Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Jussi Halla-aho was the clear winter against Sampo Terho 949 votes against 629, the big question is how the PS’ government coalition partners Center Party and National Coalition Party (NCP) will digest Halla-aho’s victory.
Behind Timo Soini of the populist Perussuomalaiset party is a hefty and mini #socialmediafrankenstein called Jussi Halla-aho and Sampo Terho
One of the biggest questions some observers have asked in Finland is what house of horrors will appear after the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* return to the minor political leagues. We got the answer today when PS MEP Jussi Halla-aho announced that he too is vying to chair the xenophobic party.
The would-be mini Trumps: Geert Wilders, Marine Le Pen, Frauke Petry, Jussi Halla-aho and other autocrats
We have commented that President Donald Trump’s erratic and autocratic style may be a curse on the US but a blessing for Europe since his style may scare away potential voters who don’t want far-right politicians like Geert Wilders, Marine Le Pen, Frauke Petry and others.
Johan Bäckman and Jussi Halla-aho: Two public figures that are hated differently by the Finnish media
Below are two public figures that are treated differently by the Finnish media. On the left is Johan Bäckman, who gets a rough ride from the national media for his pro-Russian stances, while Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MEP Jussi Halla-aho gets a more benign reception even if he has the dubious honor being Finland’s number one racist.
What would you see if you looked in Jussi Halla-aho’s eyes?
Plans to give the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* a facelift and turn it into a mainstream party took another step in that direction when the new chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformist (ECR) group of the European parliament, MEP Syed Kamall, was satisfied with PS MEP Jussi Halla-aho’s explanation for his conviction for ethnic agitation. What else
Jussi Halla-aho: “Do not tolerate the intolerant one”
Migrant Tales insight: We get a lot of email and tip-offs from our readers. The latest one we got is of three blog entry translations in English of Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MEP Jussi Halla-aho, who was convicted for ethnic agitation. This last one, Do not tolerate the intolerant one, was published in Scripta on December 20, 2007. Apart
Jussi Halla-aho: France the football giant
Migrant Tales insight: We get a lot of email and tip-offs from our readers. The latest one we got is of three blog entry translations in English of Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MEP Jussi Halla-aho, who was convicted for ethnic agitation. This second one, France the football giant, was published in Scripta on July 2, 2006. Apart from understanding
Jussi Halla-aho: Of human value
Migrant Tales insight: We get a lot of email and tip-offs from our readers. The latest one we got is of three blog entry translations in English of Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MEP Jussi Halla-aho, who was convicted for ethnic agitation. This first one, Of human value, was published in Scripta on April 13, 2005. Apart from
Financial Times: MEP Jussi Halla-aho racist track record leaves PS out in the cold
Success comes with a high political price especially if you base that success on spreading racism and prejudice. That is exactly the case of the Perussuomalaiset (PS),* who are hoping to join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) in Brussels but have been rejected by them because they see PS MEP Jussi Halla-aho as too racist,
Disingenuous Finnish PS MEP-elect Jussi Halla-aho fears image would suffer with parties like far-right National Front
In an interview on YLE, Perussuomalaiset (PS) newly elected MEP Jussi Halla-aho said that it was doubtful that the anti-immigration party would form part of a parliamentary group with far-right parties like the National Front of France “because the party’s image would suffer.” What a disingenuous statement by a politician who has based his career
Are politicians like Jussi Halla-aho and parties like the PS racist?
Jay Smooth offered in early March some good points on how to spot a racist by sticking to the that-sounded-racist conversation as opposed to they-are-racist conversation. The former conversation allows you to focus on what the person said and why what they said is unacceptable. The other one will take your focus away from the issue. Keeping
Jussi Halla-aho’s broken record: destroy cultural and ethnic diversity
We hear over and over again the same anti-immigration diatribe by politicians like Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho, who complain constantly about too liberal immigration policy and multiculturalism. PS MP Jussi Halla-aho would like to restrict free movement of people in Europe and tighten migration policy if elected Euro MP, according to Swedish-language daily HBL.
An opportunist called PS MP Jussi Halla-aho of Finland
If there’s one politician who has successfully made a career by spreading racism and victimizing a group like Somalis in Finland, that politician is Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho, who is running for MEP. Apart from playing on people’s fears about migration and cultural diversity, the PS MP is a very unthankful person. Read full
PS MP Jussi Halla-aho doesn’t like cultural diversity, never mind Africans and Muslims
I’m not going to expend a lot of energy on analyzing what Perussuomaliset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho wrote in a recent blog entry. All of what he writes about migrants, especially refugees, is demeaning and negative. One sentence in particular, however, caught my attention and which exposes the anti-immigration politician to a tee. Read full story
Reija Härkönen: Jussi Halla-aho’s actions in parliament
Reija Härkönen When Jussi Halla-aho was getting prepared for the parliamentary elections, on the last day before the election day on April 16, 2011, he once again urged the anti-immigrant voters to act, thanked his own people (meaning the anti-immigrant circle) for their good work and the True Finns (Perussuomalaiset) of Helsinki and the neighborhood
Reija Härkönen: Jussi Halla-ahon toiminta valtiopäivillä
Reija Härkönen Kun Jussi Halla-aho eduskuntavaaleja edeltävänä päivänä 16.4.2011 vielä kerran kehotti maahanmuuttajavastaisia äänestäjiä lähtemään liikkeelle, hän kiitteli omaa porukkaa ja vapaaehtoisia ja lisäksi perussuomalaisten Helsingin piiriä ja Kontulan perussuomalaisia järjestelyistä. Hän myös muistutti: ”Haluan muistuttaa vielä kerran, että tuleva painoarvoni riippuu yksinomaan äänimäärästäni. Siksi on tähdellisen tärkeää, että kaikki kannattajani käyvät äänestämässä minua, vaikka
Jussi Halla-aho gets cold feet – another lie exposed
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho announced that he will not take part in a live A2 televised debate on Islam, reports YLE. The MP, who has been convicted for ethnic agitation, said that the debate doesn’t serve the issue. He would, however, be ready to take part in a debate with fewer people. Read full
Jussi Halla-aho appointed as vice member of Finland’s delegation to the Council of Europe
The anti-immigration and anti-EU Perussuomalaiset party nominated MP Jussi Halla-aho as vice member of Finland’s delegation to the Council of Europe, reports YLE in English. The controversial nomination of Halla-aho, who was sentenced for ethnic agitation and breaching the sanctity of religion, prompted the parliamentary leaders of seven parties to express regret in a joint
PS MP Jussi Halla-aho put on the hot chair after his ridiculous arguments against Syrian refugees are exposed
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho was put on the hot chair on A-Studio, when he was asked about his and PS MP Vesa-Matti Saarakkala’s written question to parliament opposing government plans to give asylum to 500 refugees from Syria. A good question to ask is why accepting 500 refugees from Syria is in the national spotlight? Sweden
A letter to Jussi Halla-aho from Bashir Roble
Perussuomalaiset MP Jussi Halla-aho, Have you ever visited Somalia? Do you have any Somali friends? I know that both answers are negative because of the way you speak about my people and my country. MPs like you and others who think the same way, like Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen, belong to the same group. You
Jussi Halla-aho resigns as chairman of the administration committee
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho announced that he will resign as chairman of the administration committee, according to Helsingin Sanomat in English. The decision comes after the Supreme Court charged Halla-aho on Friday for defaming a religion and inciting ethnic hatred. A new chairman will be chosen by the committee on Tuesday. Halla-aho published a
Reija Härkönen: Onko Suomi nyt lännessä ja Halla-aho tehnyt parannuksen?
Kun Suomi jätti Nato-hakemuksen, monet riemuitsivat, että Suomi kuuluu vihdoin länteen. Tuollainen riemu oli mielenkiintoista senkin vuoksi, kun edelleen kovasti odotellaan, että Turkin sulho vastaisi myöntävästi kosintaan. Tekeekö liittolaissuhde Turkkiin meistä entistä länsimaalaisempia. Olemmeko nyt lännessä? Perussuomalaisten Jussi Halla-ahoa haastateltiin elokuussa 2019 hänen suhtautumisestaan siihen, että Unkaria on vaadittu palaamaan ruotuun ja tunnustamaan EU:n yhteiset arvot ja
Ykkösaamu interview highlighted Halla-aho’s contempt for Human Rights
Yle’s Ykkösamu talk show exposed to a tee what the parliament’s new foreign affairs committee chairperson thinks of Human Rights. The first question by the host forced Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Jussi Halla-aho, who was convicted in 2012 for ethnic agitation and breaching the sanctity of religion, to reinforce his contempt of Human Rights. The interview was
Halla-aho, Purra, Tavio, Niikko and all of you PS politicians: Trump’s stench will linger
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED TOPLINE It is quite extraordinary that the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* continues to play down and deflect criticism for their admiration and support for outgoing US President Donald Trump whose most recent crimes included actively inciting a mob to violently assault the legislative branch of government to overturn the election he lost by
Trump’s and Pence’s soul mates in Finland are Halla-aho and Purra
It is surprising how much political mileage one gets from bullshit. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic that has exposed the leadership vacuum left by US President Donald Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence. If we go back to 2015, when, Finland saw a record number of asylum seekers entering the government, the
Mikä Jussia Husussa niin kovin ärsyttää?
Olen usein miettinyt, mikä siinä Abdirahim Husseinissa oikein on niin ärsyttävää, että Jussi Halla-aho on herkiämättä hänen kimpussaan. Tuskin luuska rakkaudesta tässäkään tapauksessa potkii, mutta mistä syystä? Jussi on noussut nopeasti politiikan huipulle. Kyseenalaisin keinoin, mutta kuitenkin. Miksi hänelle on niin kammottava ajatus, että myös Abdirahim nousisi? Abdirahim on tullut Suomeen yksin 15-vuotiaana pakolaisena ja
Halla-aho’s anti-immigration soundbites and why we should not relax hate speech laws
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho gave us on Yle Ykkösaamu his usual anti-immigration blah blah and why Finland should relax its hate speech laws. In the interview, Halla-aho, who was convicted of ethnic agitation and breaching the sanctity of religion in 2012, defended the Nazi-spirited Suomen Sisu association and played down PS MP Juha Mäenpää’s
Like Trump, like Halla-aho
The closing of US borders to Latin American asylum seekers, detaining minors, vilifying Latin Americans and Muslims, emboldening white supremacy and relegating and maintaining migrants and minorities as second-class members of society are some of the things that we have seen and read about President Donald Trump’s presidency. One will find many similarities if we
Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö’s far-right past is a fact
Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö calls into question professor Martin Scheinin’s motives for criticising the proposed security legislation which will allow the Security Police and military intelligence to troll emails and calls of citizens without informing people they have been spied on.
WARNING: RACIST CONTENT – Halla-aho announces that anti-immigration will be the PS’ main campaign theme
With parliamentary elections a heartbeat away on April 14, the populist far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party announced that anti-immigration will be their main campaign theme. Are we surprised? Not in the bit. PS Chairperson Jussi Halla-aho was quoted as saying in Yle that at the present rate, Finland’s immigration policy will destroy present levels of social welfare, undermine
The Finnish media gives a lot of space to Halla-aho and the PS but none to us
It’s clear that the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is a different party after this weekend, when Jussi Halla-aho, Laura Huhtasaari, Teuvo Hakkarainen and Juho Eerola were elected to lead the anti-immigrant and anti-EU party. Halla-aho spoke of in his policy speech of “nationalistic forces,” which is code for anti-immigration, anti-cultural diversity and anti-EU policies.
Sampo Terho’s and Jussi Hallo’s political calling to keep Finland white
Watching the A-studio debate between Sampo Terho and Jussi Halla-aho, the two candidates vying for the leadership of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, was a good example of how low Finland has stooped as a nation.
Toimittajat, kuka pelkää Halla-ahoa?
Perussuomalaisissa puuhaillaan innolla puheenjohtajan vaihdosta. Kun ehdolle ollaan asettamassa Jussi Halla-ahoa, joka ei omien sanojensa mukaan ollenkaan ole sovelias johtotehtäviin, mutta on nyt todennäköisesti asettumassa ehdokkaaksi, on tarpeen hiukan ihmetellä, millä eväillä. Rasistien ”Mestarilla” on kova maine. Jotenkin ihmeellisellä tavalla hän on saanut mediankin pelkäämään itseään niin, että hänelle ei koskaan aseteta oikeastaan muita
Will Halla-aho be the PS’ savior or the party’s political grave?
A while back I asked a friend what would happen if the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* implode as we’ve seen in the polls. What will emerge from the ruin of that xenophobic party will be another one that is more sinister and more dangerous. With PS MEP Jussi Halla-aho’s decision to challenge Timo Soini and run for chairman of the party is the birth of a radical anti-immigration party in the same league as the Islamophobic Danish People’s Party.
Defining white Finnish privilege #15: Case Halla-aho and the PS
It’s clear that the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* are trying to regain their balance as their popularity in the polls continues to plummet. This week MEP Jussi Halla-aho, who was sentenced for ethnic agitation, tells his party that a tougher stand on immigration is needed to regain voter confidence. “It would be good that the party leadership understands
MEP Halla-aho wants a tougher PS stance on immigration
The popularity of the anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS)* plummeted to a record low of 13.3% in December and this has caused visible cracks in the party’s leadership. MEP Jussi Halla-aho, who was sentenced for ethnic agitation, blames PS chairman Timo Soini’s too soft stand on immigration for the drop in popularity, according to Oulu-based daily Kaleva.
We can do it and send Halla-aho and the PS to where they came from
I still remember April 2011, when the anti-EU, anti-immigration and especially anti-Islam Perussuomalaiset (PS) party opened a gloomy chapter in Finland’s history by getting 39 MPs elected to parliament. The election was impressive to say the least considering that only 5 PS MPs got elected in 2007. Source: www.youthventure.org While some were surprised by the election
PS MP Halla-aho to attend first Council of Europe meeting Monday
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho, who was sentenced for ethnic agitation, will represent Finland at a Council of Europe meeting Monday in Strasbourg, according to Tampere-based Aamulehti, which cites STT. Read full story (in FInnish) here. The appointment of Halla-aho to the Finnish delegation to the Council of Europe last year prompted a joint statement by the leaders
Columnist Eric Erfors of Sweden’s Expressen: What do Halla-aho and Räsänen say about the state of Finland today?
Finland needs every now and then a wake-up call from the outside world. Columnist Eric Erfors of the Swedish tabloid Expressen, asks how is it possible that a person like Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho, which he calls a ”pure racist,” was eligible to become a deputy member of Finland’s delegation to the Council of
BBC’s HARDtalk: Soini defends decision to not sack Halla-aho
Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairman, Timo Soini, said on BBC’s HARDTalk that the five-year ordeal that lead to a Supreme Court ruling against PS MP Jussi Halla-aho for inciting ethnic hatred was enough punishment, according to YLE. Soini had promised previously to sack any member of the party if they were sentenced by a court for hate speech.
Halla-aho wants to ease deportation law
Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP Jussi Halla-aho and his far-right Suomen Sisu and anti-immigration cronies would like to tighten immigration laws further by making it easier to deport convicted foreigners, reports YLE in English. Presently, foreigners “may” be deported from Finland if they are convicted of a crime. Halla-aho wants the word “may” to be changed
PS’ Halla-aho eyes party leadership
Perussuomalaiset (PS) party far-right anti-immigration wing leader, MP Jussi Halla-aho, confirmed that he’s not ruling out vying for chairman of the radical populist party, according to MTV3, citing the Subin Enbuske & Linnanahde Crew TV show. ”I’m in parliament and city council because enough people want me in these places,” he said, ”if they want
Halla-aho takes another swipe at Finland’s Somali community
It’s pretty easy to note that one of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party’s dynamic duo, Jussi Halla-aho and James Hirvisaari, are raising the stakes as the municipal elections near on October 28. We recently heard Hirvisaari throwing low punches at homosexuals and today Halla-aho would be ready to stop giving protection to Somalis, who come from a
James and Jussi out of control
As the municipal elections of October near, Perussuomalaiset (PS) MPs, James Hirvisaari and Jussi Halla-aho, are doing everything possible to bolster the sagging popularity of the right-wing populist party. It’s unclear, however, if they are attempting to stir up support for the Suomen Sisu wing of the party or for the PS. In their usual style,
Halla-aho scandal in Finland: Leadership is now needed more than ever
Finland’s political parties, including the Perussuomalaiset (PS), have a golden opportunity to show leadership and make a clear break from Jussi Halla-aho and his Suomen Sisu association followers. We’ll be back, however, to square one if Halla-aho’s heir-apparent, Juho Eerola, becomes the new chairman of the administration committee of parliament. Suomen Sisu is an extremist
Halla-aho wants Juho Eerola to be his successor
The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party never ceases to surprise us. Former administration committee chairman MP Jussi Halla-aho said he wants Juho Eerola to be his successor. The MP, who is second vice president of the PS, is Halla-aho’s close ideological ally and a member of the far-right Suomen Sisu association. Appointing Eerola as the new chairman
The Halla-aho scandal raises disturbing questions
Disquieting questions emerge in light of the Jussi Halla-aho scandal: Is pressure on the Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP to resign as chairman of the administration committee due to his dismissive reaction to the Supreme Court sentence or because of what he wrote about Muslims and Somalis, which got him in trouble in the first place? When
PS MP Halla-aho says he will not resign as chairman of the administration committee
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho announced Monday that he had no reason to bow out as chairman of the administration committee of parliament after he was fined by the Supreme Court on Friday for defaming a religion and inciting ethnic hatred. The PS MP said he would not resign because he considered the Supreme Court
Halla-aho should resign as chairman of the administration committee of parliament
In light of the Finnish Supreme Court (KKO) sentence on Friday fining Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho for defaming a religion and incitement against an ethnic group, the next step that the PS MP should take is to resign as chairman of the administration committee of parliament. PS head Timo Soini was quoted as saying on YLE
Halla-aho gets convicted for defamation and inciting ethnic hatred
Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP Jussi Halla-aho was convicted today by the Finnish Supreme Court (KKO) for defaming a religion and inciting ethnic hatred. Halla-aho, who was fined in 2009 for defaming religion, was now criminally charged as well for inciting ethnic hatred. The sentence dates back to Halla-aho’s blog writings of 2008, when he claimed
Halla-aho says ghettoization spreading in Finland’s major cities
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho said on a popular talk show that he stands by everything he said and doesn’t regret anything. He does, however, admit that sometimes the timing of what he said was wrong. He then tells us that ghettoization is taking place ” full steam ahead” in Finland’s biggest cities.
Finland and the far-right threat posed by Halla-aho and Niinistö
Social Democrat Party presidential hopeful, Paavo Lipponen, has been the most outspoken candidate about the threat of the far right in Finland. On a television debate Thursday, he accused Perussuomalaiset (PS) party far-right MPs like Jussi Halla-aho and Jussi Niinistö of hiding behind Timo Soini and swelling him and the party’s popularity.
YLE: Halla-aho suspended for two weeks
The Finns party MP Jussi Halla-aho was suspended for two weeks by his parliamentary group on Thursday afternoon following Facebook comments deemed inappropriate by the party.
Uusi Suomi: Halla-ahon ryöpytys jatkuu: ”Rasisti”
Suomalaista maahanmuuttokeskustelua riivaa eliitin kummallinen hyssyttelykulttuuri. Maahanmuuttokriittisten, niin kutsuttujen hommalaisten, vastapainoksi ei ole syntynyt kunnollista poliittista oppositiota, joka tarjoaisi vaihtoehdon keskustelun pohjalla kytevälle rasismille.
YLE: Soini demands temporary explusion of Halla-aho from Finns party parliamentary group
The leader of the Finns party, Timo Soini, has demanded the temporary expulsion of controversial MP Jussi Halla-aho from the party’s parliamentary group. The move follows a writing on Facebook made on Wednesday by Halla-aho in which he said a military junta could best solve Greek crisis by using tanks to crush protestors.
AFP & YLE: Halla-aho claims being victim of “witch-hunt”
True Finns Party MP Jussi Halla-aho says that he feels that a witch-hunt has started against him and free speech after the Norway tragedy. In an interview with AFP, he said that things are completely out of control.
YLE: Parties consider Halla-aho’s position
Jussi Halla-aho, a critic of immigration and multiculturalism, is facing pressure to stand down as chair of parliament’s Administration committee in the wake of the Norwegian terror attacks. The Administration Committee deals with matters that include immigration policy and gun legislation.
Ilta-Sanomat: SDP tahtoo Halla-ahon eroa
Sdp aikoo kyseenalaistaa perussuomalaisten kansanedustaja Jussi Halla-Ahon aseman eduskunnan hallintovaliokunnan puheenjohtajana. Asiasta kertoo Ilta-Sanomat.
Halla-aho and Suomen Sisu get caught in their own game
If the Nazi-spirited Suomen Sisu and Perusuomalaiset (PS) MPs were an onion, what would we find at its center? A twenty-first century version of the solution without the scary adjective “final?” Racism in its most hostile form? A huge factory turning out urban myths about immigrants and minorities?
YLE: Halla-aho to Chair Committee in Charge of Immigration
True Finns have nominated candidates for chairing the parliamentary committees they have received leadership over. Jussi Halla-aho, who has sternly criticised immigration in his blog, is to become chairman of the Administration Committee, the responsibilities of which include immigration policies.
HS: Halla-aho refuses to comment on controversial blog entries
Blog article from 2005 questions notion of human equality
Jussi Halla-aho, a nationalist politician from Helsinki, got 14,884 votes in Sunday’s Parliamentary elections, winning him a seat in Parliament on the True Finns party ticket. Halla-aho had established a reputation with his writings on the Internet.
Should Finland thank Halla-aho?
The chairman of the True Finns, Timo Soini, said on Thrusday’s election debate that we should be thankful to Jussi Halla-aho for bringing tigthtening our immigration policy and, strangely enough, for the ongoing debate on refugees, immigrants and immigration to Finland.
Savon Sanomat: Rasismin tutkija: Maahanmuutto on Halla-ahon ainoa vaaliteema
Tutkija Vesa Puuronen uskoo maahanmuuttopolitiikan nousevan teemaksi kevään eduskuntavaaleissa.
Case Perussuomalaiset Youth: Crocodile tears from the PS and holding one’s breath
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* leader Jussi Halla-aho is shedding crocodile tears concerning the scandal with the PS Youth’s racist tweet over the weekend.
Far-right politician Huhtasaari and the PS pull one of the oldest tricks on the media
Anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS)* vice president, Laura Huhtasaari, hit the jackpot when she attacked a Finnish school project in Tampere for “encouraging hatred.” The poster made by teenage students pitted herself and the PS’ chairperson, Jussi Halla-aho, against President Sauli Niinistö and Green Alliance MP Pekka Haavisto with the following question: towards Finland, or towards death.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: How anti-diversity and Islamophobic is Finland?
“One of the big denials that one still hears a lot in Finland is its denial of the rise of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, an Islamophobic party that won 39 seats in the parliamentary elections of 2011 from just 5 MPs in previously. There was an ongoing debate after 2011 within the PS on what caused its historic election victory. Then party leader Timo Soini claimed it was anti-EU sentiment while its present leader, Jussi Halla-aho, claimed it was the PS’ Islamophobic stance.
A letter from a jailed Iraqi asylum seeker in Finland
Instead of making Iraqi Muslims feel at home in Finland, the government of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä is doing everything possible – in the Timo Soini and Jussi Halla-aho spirit – to give such vulnerable groups the cold shoulder. Sipilä and his government are the enthusiastic planters of the seeds of discrimination and inequality of Finland’s Muslim and visible migrant community.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: You first have to break society to remold it into your vision
Migrant Tales insight: This quote by Christopher Wylie, a former employee of Cambridge Analytica, gives us a glimpse of how the alt-right uses social media platforms like Facebook to manipulate voters. If I had to choose a part that is in the same league as Steve Banon and the hard right, without question it would be the Perussuomalaiset* and its leader Jussi Halla-aho. They have aimed to polarize and break Finnish society to remold it into their deranged vision.
Finland’s lost decade flirting with racism, fascism and the Perussuomalaiset party
Sampo Terho, minister culture, sport and European affairs, was elected on Saturday to chair Blue Reform, a Lilliputian party that split from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* after their plush ministerial jobs were on the line after Jussi Halla-aho was elected PS chairperson in June.
PS’ Third Vice President Juho Eerola is suspected of ethnic agitation in Finland
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* third vice president Juho Eerola is suspected of ethnic agitation, according to YLE News. If convicted, only PS First Vice President Laura Huhtasaari would be the only board member of the party that doesn’t have a conviction for ethnic agitation. Chairman Jussi Halla-aho was convicted in 2012 and MP Teuvo Hakkarainen, the second vice president, convicted in January.
The words and silence of politicians have dire consequences in Finland for us
After the stabbing of ten people in Turku on Friday, politicians like President Sauli Niinistö, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, Interior Minister Paula Risikko, the national media, which echoes far-right opinions of Jussi Halla-aho, the chairman of the Perussuomalaiset* who was convicted for hate speech, appear to be carried away by their own prejudices and hostility towards asylum seekers, which does impact our culturally diverse community.
The PS steers further right exposing its shameless Islamophobia, racism, bigotry and ultranationalism
Like rubbing salt on Finland’s wound, Perussuomalaiset (PS)* newly elected chairman Jussi Halla-aho’s far-right anti-immigration policy got reinforcement after three Islamophobes were elected to lead the PS: Laura Huuhtasaari, Teuvo Hakkarainen and Juho Eerola were elected first, second and third vice-president, respectively.
Teivo Teivainen: How Finns Party’s Racist Turn Might Shake Government of Finland?
Now it’s real. Finland’s government includes a party that just elected a person convicted for a racist crime (ethnic agitation) as its new leader. The question is obviously not simply about Jussi Halla-aho’s criminal record, but that the party has decided to take a turn away from its agrarian populist roots and toward racism.
The creation and death of the Perussuomalaiset and its #socialmediafrankensteins in Finland
We once wrote about #socialmediafrankensteins and how Timo Soini and the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party had created such demons to victimize, attack and label migrants and minorities in Finland. Soini, a “good-cop” PS party chairman, is in reality no different from people like Jussi Halla-aho and his band of bigoted followers.
Finnish government party Perussuomalaiset MEP claims ethnic profiling needed to fight terrorism
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MEP Jussi Halla-aho, who hungers for public attention, tries to surprise us with the following suggestion: The police should be allowed to ethnically profile Middle Easterners, North African and Central Asian people irrespective if it is in infringement of these people’s fundamental rights and human rights.
Open racism in the PS and Finland for ever?
The Green League’s Vihreä Lanka writes that the hardline anti-immigration wing of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* comprises of eight MPs in MEP Jussi Halla-aho’s camp with four more sympathizing with the latter, according to Vihreä Lanka, which cites journalist Marianne Lydén.
Why is the Perussuomalaiset party riling mad at the Finnish media?
You know that there is something terribly wrong whenever a group never mind a major political party like the Perussuomalaiset (PS) start blaming the media for their problems. This is exactly what Matti Putkonen and MP Jussi Halla-aho did Wednesday on YLE, blaming that the media treats the PS unfairly when compared with other parties.
PS anti-immigration wing: “a new [Cadillac] model every year”
Helena Eronen, the parliamentary aide that suggested armbands for foreigners, is what Malcolm X said about racism and Cadillacs: They make a new model every year. The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party’s far-right anti-immigration wing led by MP Jussi Halla-aho have a new model: Helena Eronen.
Hommaforum stoops to new depths by "defaming" adolescent
Hommaforum is a forum closely linked to Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP Jussi Halla-aho’s blog, Scripta, and to Suomen Sisu, a far-right extremist association. Even if Hommaforum and Scripta are only smears of hatred that splash on Finland’s good name, they don’t care whom they tar and feather as long as they have a good time. But to attack and defame publicly a brave adolescent, Rebecca Holm, who spoke out against racism, shows how low they will go to make their point.
Hommaforum stoops to new depths by “defaming” adolescent
Hommaforum is a forum closely linked to Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP Jussi Halla-aho’s blog, Scripta, and to Suomen Sisu, a far-right extremist association. Even if Hommaforum and Scripta are only smears of hatred that splash on Finland’s good name, they don’t care whom they tar and feather as long as they have a good time. But to attack and defame publicly a brave adolescent, Rebecca Holm, who spoke out against racism, shows how low they will go to make their point.
Three anti-immigration PS MPs will pay Hirvisaari's fine for hate speech
Three far-right anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS) MPs, Juho Eerola, Jussi Halla-aho and Olli Immonen, announced today in a statement that they will pay PS MP James Hirvisaari’s 1,424-euro fine slapped for hate speech by a Kouvola court in December. The statement, which was signed the three PS MPs, states that the fine was politically motivated.
Three anti-immigration PS MPs will pay Hirvisaari’s fine for hate speech
Three far-right anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS) MPs, Juho Eerola, Jussi Halla-aho and Olli Immonen, announced today in a statement that they will pay PS MP James Hirvisaari’s 1,424-euro fine slapped for hate speech by a Kouvola court in December. The statement, which was signed the three PS MPs, states that the fine was politically motivated.
Green Party hopeful Pekka Haavisto and the Perussuomalaiset
After the Green Party declared war on the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party before the April 17 election, its presidential hopeful Pekka Haavisto has made an about-turn: He has become a “friend” of PS MP Teuvo Hakkarainen, who became a household name thanks to his racist gaffes, and now displays a show of support for his candidacy by PS MP Jussi Halla-aho.
Timo Soini: “The PS do not hate anybody – not anybody”
Do you agree and can Perussuomalaiset (PS) party head Timo Soini claim that his party does not “hate” anyone? I wonder if Soini, who made such a claim on Saturday when he was chosen to be the PS’ presidential candidate, ever heard of Freddy van Wonterghem, James Hirvisaari, Olli Immonen, Teuvo Harkkarainen, Juho Eerola, Reijo Tossavainen never mind Jussi Halla-aho and others.
Finnish far-right thinking for dummies: The Wave
This true movie below took place in 1967 Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California. The experiment shows how easy it was to convert the class of high school students to become far-right followers that supported the Nazi régime in Germany during 1933-45. What would happen to our country if we embraced the ideology of associations like Suomen Sisu, Suomalaisuuden Liitto or allowed the worldview of far-right politicians like Jussi Halla-aho, James Hirvisaari to be taught at our schools?
Savon Sanomat: Persujen linja – onko sitä?
Savon SanomienTaloustutkimuksella teettämän kyselyn mukaan ylivoimainen enemmistö suomalaisista ei hyväksy perussuomalaistenJussi Halla-ahon Kreikka-puheita. Täystyrmäys tuli sukupuoleen, ikään, varallisuuteen tai puoluekantaan katsomatta.
What the far right in Finland really means when it says “multiculturalism sucks ass”
If one reads the anti-immigration rhetoric of the far-right wing of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party led by MP Jussi Halla-aho, you will eventually find the racism and the meaning behind their discourse. Almost everything they claim and object to boils down to one matter: Stop Muslims and non-Europeans from coming to Finland and Europe.
Ilta-Sanomat: Tässä ovat perussuomalaisilta kielletyt sanat
Professori Erkki Havansi on ohjeistanut puoluetovereitaan vihapuhelainsäädännön suhteen. Nettiin laitettua muistiota voidaan pitää selvänä ohjeena varsinkin Jussi Halla-aholle, joka viime viikolla erotettiin kahdeksi viikoksi ryhmän toiminnasta.
PS’ far right threatens our society and values
The sooner we comprehend as a society that the far-right wing of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party led by MP Jussi Halla-aho and his cronies are a threat to our Nordic way of life the better. There are already clear signs that this group of MPs in the PS has not only become a thorn in Timo Soini’s side but is being shunned by other political parties and the public.
PS’ recipe for failure: nationalism, xenophobia and isolationism
It is pretty incredible how a minority like the Perussuomalaiset (PS) that got 19.1% of the votes are blackmailing the rest of the country with their anti-EU policies. It not only wants the majority to join its anti-EU bandwagon, but has among its ranks MPs like Jussi Halla-aho, who are trying to give bigotry a respectable name in Finland.
Finland’s Hommaforum fuels much of the anti-immigration sentiment on the net
On Friday’s Pressiklubi hosted by Ruben Stiller there was an interesting debate on the rise of racism in Finland. Columnist Kaarina Hazard and Saska Saarikoski, the head of Helsingin Sanomat’s culture section, threw some hard questions at Matias Turkkila, head of Homma ry and PS MP Jussi Halla-aho’s campaign manager.
The PS’ dangerous advice to the Finnish media
It was pretty surprising to read about Perussuomalaiset MPs like Jussi Halla-aho and James Hirvisaari offering the Finnish media lessons on how they should do their job. Whenever governments and politicians start to blame the media for their shortcomings we know there is something wrong.
Perussuomalaiset: The end of imaginary Finland
The Perussuomalaiset have a long way to go before the majority of Finns, never mind immigrants and minorities, begin to accept them as a “normal” Finnish party. The racist outbursts of PS MP Teuvo Hakkarainen and PS MP Jussi Halla-aho’s pledge to tighten even more the screws on immigration policy, have got people concerned about what kind of a Finland we will be living in a few years down the road.
Soini’s probable hello-goodbye-thank-you-ma’m kiss to xenophobia
Will we see in the comming weeks a gentle hello-goodype-thank-you-ma’m kiss from True Finns chairman Timo Soini to the xenophobic wing of the party? A total of five people who signed the xenophobic Nuiva manifest last year got elected to parliament. The best-known of these are Jussi Halla-aho and former Finnish State Railways (VR) employee James Hirvisaari.
HS: Perussuomalaisten ehdokkaina useita Suomen sisun jäseniä
Perussuomalaisten eduskuntavaaliehdokkaina on useita kansallismielisen Suomen sisu -yhdistyksen jäseniä. Heitä ovat muun muassa Olli Immonen Oulusta, James Hirvisaari Asikkalasta, Teemu Lahtinen Espoosta, Johannes Nieminen Vantaalta ja Jussi Halla-aho Helsingistä.
Suomen Kuvalehti: Totuuspuntari: Onko turvapaikanhakijoiden määrä nelinkertaistunut nykyisen hallituksen aikana?
Väite:
Turvapaikanhakijoiden määrä on nelinkertaistunut nykyisen hallituksen aikana.
Perussuomalaisten helsinkiläinen kansanedustajaehdokas Jussi Halla-aho on väittänyt blogissaan otsikolla Tiedote eduskuntavaaleihin 2011 liittyen, että turvapaikanhakijoiden määrä on nelinkertaistunut vuodesta 2007, jolloin nykyinen hallitus aloitti toimintansa.
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All quiet on the Finnish anti-immigration front?
There are some encouraging signs in the Finnish immigration debate recently. So-called “critics” such as Jussi Halla-aho, Eero Heinäluoma and others have been strangely quiet on this front. Even ultra-critical immigration bloggers such as Tiwaz have vanished. One of the best pieces of news was that hate website patriootti.com ceased to exist from Monday.
Joutsen puolue in Finland – old suspicions die hard
It is always a healthy matter when new parties emerge and take part in the debate on immigrants in Finland. One of these is the so-called Joutsen puolue being spearheaded by Jussi Halla-aho, who is presently standing trial for incitement of hatred against an ethnic group and defamation of a religion.
Kokoomus proves it again: racism coupled with nationalism is a good fix before a parliamentary election
Perussouomalaiset (PS)* head Riikka Purra wasn’t the only one overjoyed by the latest Helsingin Sanomat opinion poll, which showed the radical-right party overtaking the Social Democrats to second place after the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus). Behind Purra was Kokoomus chief Petteri Orpo, gleeing. Finns will go to the polls on April 4 to elect 200 MPs. While observers
Exposing white Finnish privilege #91: The right to generalize and victimize minorities
THE STORY WAS UPDATED Those who are worried about the blow to the credibility of the security guards due to several scandals that even led to the death of a woman in Espoo are quick to point out one should not jump to conclusions and label all security guards and the sector. True, we should
Exposing white Finnish privilege #90: A crime by “people of foreign background” offers more political mileage than one committed by white Finns
We read about the tragic death of a woman at Espoo’s Iso Omena shopping center on Saturday. The woman died while being escorted by four Securitas security guards out of the shopping center. The altercation ended with the woman on the floor, handcuffed, and eventually lifeless. The police announced Sunday that the security guards in
Surprised that former Kokoomus MP Wille Rydman found his new home in the PS? Not.
Disgraced former National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP Wille Rydman announced that he’d join the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*. After announcing Monday that he’d leave Kokoomus, the latest announcement did not come as a surprise considering Rydman’s anti-immigration stance. But some questions remain. In Kokoomus, he had built a reputation for being the Jussi Halla-aho of the party.
Exposing white Finnish privilege #89: Those white saviors are the worst racists
White saviors come in many sizes and shapes. Whatever shape and size, they stunt equality for one simple reason: The white savior is on top handing out his harmful empathy to minorities. How can I claim that white saviors aren’t well-intentioned people? From personal experience. While racism and discrimination are constant variables that rob people
STATEMENT: Yle should stop picking on minority youths and stick to facts
It was in 2020 when Helsingin Sanomat published a big story about the dangers of youth gang violence in Helsinki. The story received a lot of criticism because it spread the misinformation that youth crime is rising in Helsinki and Greater Helsinki. It isn’t surprising that the state-owned broadcaster, Yle, has spread the issue, especially
Migrant Tales Media Monitoring: An Helsingin Sanomat editorial that boosts xenophobia
There is a lot of talk and unfortunate examples of how the media helps to spread populist parties’ hateful messages about migrants and minorities. An editorial published by Helsingin Sanomat Thursday is a good example of how the media does this. The good showing of the Sweden Democrats in September’s parliamentary election is due to
Trump, Putin and the Perussuomalaiset
Former President Donald Trump is a threat to USAmerican democracy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin a threat to world peace. While these leaders spread their toxicity and hatred on other people and nations for political gain, our Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party has nothing more than praise for them. Well, that was before Trump and Putin became
How the PS and other European far-right leaders celebrate Brothers of Italy victory
Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy election victory received applause from several far-right European leaders and the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. While the PS chairperson Riikka Purra and the former leader of the party, Jussi Halla-aho, allowed MEP Laura Huhtasaari and Olli Immonen to do the talking. As we saw in Sweden on September 11, Sunday’s election
European far-right parties are part of a conspiracy to replace our democracies
A paradox: “Liberal” Nordic countries like Finland have large far-right parties that feed off racism. If I were to use the racist rhetoric of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party to solve social problems, I’d be lost. Solutions, like tougher laws, more restrictions, enforcing marginalization, and strengthening institutional racism, would leave me in a bind. Fearmongering and
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Francis Fukuyama on Putin and Europe’s far right
In an interview with the Washington Post, political scientist Francis Fukuyama, who authored The End of History and the Last Man (1992), gives his views on the Ukraine War and what it may imply for Russia and Vladimir Putin. He argues that the rise of far-right parties in Europe and Donald Trump in the United States
If Biden calls MAGA Republicans semi-fascists, why can’t we call the Perussuomalaiset the same?
Like many analysts, US President Joe Biden’s “semi-fascism” remark did not go far enough. He should have just dropped the word semi and called them fascists. Taking into account how much the US democracy is in peril, shouldn’t it be time to call out the enemies by their real names? The MAGA Republicans, who have
MT Media Monitoring: HS interview with Riikka Purra and the PS’ pet topic, migration
Helsingin Sanomat published (paywall) Sunday an interview with Riikka Purra, the chairperson of the anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. Helsingin Sanomat‘s veteran reporter, Marko Junkkari, did the interview. In general, Junkkari did a good job in handling Purra’s comments with facts and in no place in the interview did the PS chairperson dominate the interview with
Helsingin Sanomat editorial and the real reason why the Perussuomalaiset do well in parliamentary elections
A short editorial by Helsingin Sanomat Thursday warns that the 1.3 percentage point rise in the recent opinion poll of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party may force other parties to latch on to Islamophobic rhetoric. The PS’ pet themes today are high electricity and gas prices at the pumps and others, which it did not specify. Even if
How the Finnish media looks the other way
Hungary’s strongman denounced in a speech Saturday “mixed race” nations. While there was outrage in Europe about his racist comment, there was silence from some political circles like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, which are Orbán’s admirers. He said in Romania over the weekend that migration had split Europe and that Europeans who mix with non-Europeans “are
Exposing white Finnish privilege #88: A Facebook page that asks white people if they look like a Finn?
Thanks to a Facebook page and a story in Helsingin Sanomat, I became on Monday, a member of a group called “Do I look Finnish?” Nothing wrong with that, but if the page attempts to reinforce stereotypes about Finns, then something is rotten in Denmark. Understanding how far-right groups like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, Suomen Sisu,
Police open new investigation of National Coalition Party MP Wille Rydman
After an initial police investigation into alleged sexual harassment by National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP Wille Rydman, the National Bureau of Investigation (Keskusrikospoliisi) announced that it had opened a preliminary investigation into the MP’s activities. Rydman is a staunch anti-Muslim who is unofficially Kokoomus’ Jussi Halla-aho. Halla-aho is the former chairperson of the far-right Perussuomalaiset
Avoid turning Finland into a United States
In a thousand years, if there’s History, America will be remembered as a nasty little Country. Full of Pricks… Allen Ginsberg, Epilogue from “The Fall of America poems of these states 1965-1971” Following the dysfunctionality and cultural war raging in US politics, any sensible person can conclude that the present situation is due to several
What does Finland’s far-right Perussuomalaiset think of the overturning of Roe and Wade and attack of a gay bar in Oslo?
Setting aside the US Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe and Wade, which effectively took away women’s rights to have an abortion, we saw the cold-blooded attack at a gay bar by a man in Oslo that left two dead and 21 wounded. Meanwhile, in Finland, Yle reported some MPs’ reaction to the Supreme Court
Wille Rydman exposes Kokoomus’ hypocrisy and its racist politicians
I wonder if National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP Wille Rydman has ever heard of Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, who is under investigation for sexually abusing minors, among other crimes? Helsingin Sanomat exposed in a story Rydman of inappropriate behavior and abusing sexually minors Sunday. Like Gaetz, Rydman is in hot water and denies all
Exposing white privilege in Finland #87: Social segregation is not white Finland’s fault
The recent article and editorial in Helsingin Sanomat about social segregation in Finland is a good example of how white privilege deals with growing social segregation. Finland’s largest daily, Helsingin Sanomat, published an editorial Thursday about how social segregation is growing in Finland. That follows a story about how some schools in Espoo have more
The PS’ crystal ball racism based on selective scenarios
With the parliamentary election about 10 months away in April 2023 and a disastrous county election showing and equally depressing opinion poll results, it’s clear that the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party is desperately trying to connect with voters. One example of these underhanded tactics is a proposal by the PS to close the border with
Homogeeninen kansallisvaltio? Ei kiitos!
Olimme yllättyneet Perussuomalaisten (Ps) nuorison kolmannen varapuheenjohtajan Lauri Laitisen kirjoituksesta,* joilla hän puolusti kansallisvaltiota ja sen etnistä ja kielelistä homogeenisuutta. Myös yllätyimme miksi Helsingin Sanomat julkaisi kirjoituksen jossa on niin paljon epäasiallisuus. Voisinko minä julkaista esim. kirjoituksen jossa vaadin naisten paluuta hellan ääreen? Tällaiset ajatukset eivät ole mitään uutta. Natsi-Saksan sotarikollinen Alfred Rosenberg, joka tuomittiin
Exposing white privilege in Finland #86: Maryan Abdulkarim and Finland’s amnesia
I can’t remember. It’s not important anyway. Finland’s political amnesia shrowded in denial and hostility comes in the form of knee-jerk reactions. Those knee-jerk reactions may appear by acting dumb to difficult questions or by destroying your credibility in public. I met Maryan Abdulkarim many years ago and commended her bravery in the face of
Exposing white privilege in Finland #85: We need solutions, not racist provocations
The riots in Sweden sparked by the burning of the Koran by the Danish far-right Stram Kurs (Hard Line) party led by Rasmus Palaudan remind us how urgently we need solutions, not provocations, to heal the wounds gashed by racism and double standards. Provocations do nothing more than expose our hypocrisy and privilege. They never
Helsingin Sanomat treats Rikka Purra with kid gloves – by and large, stenography journalism
If former Perussuomalaiset (PS)* head Jussi Halla-aho were a women, her name would be Riikka Purra. Helsingin Sanomat published Saturday an interview with PS Chairperson Riikka Purra, where she puts Ukrainian refugees on a pedestal and dehumanizes Muslim and African refugees. Instead of just publishing Purra’s comments like a stenographer, why not fact-check? Here are
Exposing white privilege in Finland #84: Suomineidot offers refuge to privilege, white power, whitewashing, the far right and racism
Comments about the Yle television series on far-right young women, Suomineidot (Finnish Maidens), went viral, and for a good reason. Apart from revealing how much in the dark Yle is about racism and the far right, it also exposes white privilege in Finland. In a nutshell, the series is about three young women: Meri Kartta
A racist explanation by the chair of parliament’s foreign affairs committee of Finland why Ukrainian refugees are better than other ones
Despite all the objections to racism and Islamophobia in Finland, the silence and sub-rosa nods why such social ills continue to take root in the country. The chair of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, Jussi Halla-aho of the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, explained why Europe should open its arms to Ukrainians and shut the door on refugees
Exposing white Finnish privilege #83: War doesn’t give a hoot if you are white or black
The war in Ukraine is like a sinister brew boiling over death, destruction, tragedy, hatred, and xenophobia. Apart from the shock and horror, our double standards and jingoism stand out as a stark reminder that we have done little to challenge the very social ills that caused the deaths of tens of millions of people
Other casualties of Ukraine are European far-right parties like the Perussuomalaiset of Finland
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s Russia, we are seeing the restructuring of Europe’s security structure and political landscape. The new landscape is bad news for Europe’s far-right and populist parties like Finland’s Perussuomalaiset (PS)*. The new situation may explain why PS chairperson, Riikka Purra, offered a new image with new glasses that
Exposing white Finnish privilege #82: Good “refugees” are white and Christian, “bad” ones are Muslims
In light of the Russian invasion and bloodshed in Ukraine, Finland has expressed its readiness to take in “tens of thousands” of “refugees” from that country, according to Yle. Remember last year, when Poland closed its border with Belarus over mostly Iraqis seeking asylum in the EU? Remember the calls to keep out such asylum
Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin’s invasion “genius and savvy.” Why are the Perussuomalaiset hiding their faces in shame?
While the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* are scrambling to prop up their dismal poll numbers, they are also changing their tune on Vladimir Putin and Russia. One of the best ways to understand the PS’ admiration of Putin and the tragedy in Ukraine is through former President Donald Trump. We can cite Jussi Halla-aho’s praise of
The far-right PS 1984 logic: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”
Riikka Purra, the chairperson of the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, defended Jussi Halla-aho’s blog writings that are full of racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and anti-democratic worldviews. In one of Halla-aho’s writings, he hopes foreigners rape MPs like Eva Biaudet and Tarja Filatov. The former PS chairperson’s blog writings were under scrutiny again after he was named
Keep it up, Riikka Purra, don’t stop now. Kick out all the migrants and “let God sort ’em out.”
There are a lot of baffled faces at the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. “Did you see our regional election result?!” one asks while the other states: “A Yle poll saw us nosedive by 3.3 percentage points to 15%. and now Helsingin Sanomat reinforces the latter.” In our opinion, the PS is a far-right party that
Convicted PS MP of ethnic agitation voted to chair parliament’s foreign affairs committee
THE STORY WAS UPDATED The new chairperson of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, Jussi Halla-aho, did not get such a warm reception. In a highly unprecedented move by the committee members, 11 voted in a secret ballot in favor of Halla-aho while six abstained. Halla-aho took over the committee’s chair Mika Niikko, its former chairperson,
PS chair of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee resigns after “careless” Ukraine tweet
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP and head of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, Mika Nikko, resigned today after he tweeted that come Western leader should assure Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine must not join Nato. The tweet, which was in conflict with Finland’s foreign policy, was deleted. Even so, it had created quite a stir and
Onko porvariston hillitty rasismi hyväksyttävää?
Reija Härkönen Timo Soini kirjoitti blogissaan 20.9.2015 otsikon ”Maahanmuuttolinja kiristyy huomattavasti” alle seuraavasti: ”Perussuomalaiset ovat jo vuosia varoittaneet sekä moraalittomasta europolitiikasta ja löperöstä maahanmuuttopolitiikasta Euroopassa, myös Suomessa. Minua, EU-politiikasta ja Jussi Halla-ahoa maahanmuuttopolitiikasta, on arvosteltu rajusti. Vääriksi väitteitämme ei ole todistettu”. Tuohon päivään mennessä perussuomalaisten rasistinen ja uusfasistinen henki oli jo moneen kertaan pulpahtanut pintaan,
The PS and its enablers are the wrecking balls of Finland’s social welfare democracy
I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do. James Baldwin If some scholars sound the alarm bells that democracy in the United States could turn into a right-wing dictatorship that has the potential of sparking a civil war. How should Finland prepare for such an eventuality? Writes Thomas Homer-Dixon, a Canadian
Far-right terrorism in Finland has many direct and indirect supporters
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED The main agents of ideological violence are not isolated “lone wolves” but are usually interconnected with communities, non-violent agents and legal entities, at times even including connections to law enforcement personnel. Mihai Varga Five white Finns were detained Tuesday and remanded by a Satakunta District Court Friday, at the request of the
Shameless Europe does not care if you live or die
We cannot just snuggle here and see who comes to the border. We must promote the values of the EU with greater determination because without these values we are worthless. Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen We just read about the tragic death of 27 people when attempting to cross the English Channel. One of
Riikka Purra’s promise of “significantly” tightening immigration policy is nothing more than a snow job
The Perussuomalaiset (PS) are known to make a lot of promises to their voters and many of these are snow jobs. Tightening Finnish immigration policy will be challenging because it is already quite strict. Purra has said that for her to form a government with another party, the main requirement would be tightening “significantly” immigration
Exposing white Finnish privilege #81: Racializing crime, perpetuating stereotypes and racism
Treat with tweezers whenever percentage figures are used to depict sexual assault cases by migrants. A government-commissioned study published Thursday concluded that migrants are over-represented in suspected sexual assault crimes, perpetuating a toxic narrative. Such generalizations give ammunition to Islamophobes like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party to maintain and reinforce racist stereotypes. To look at how the Finnish
Exposing white Finnish privilege #80: Violence against you counts but mine doesn’t
Radical-right Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party MP, Sebastian Tynkkynen, who has two ethnic agitation convictions and a third pending, is trying to get the most political mileage from an incident at an #elokapina demonstration. Some unknown persons at the demonstration allegedly attempted to attack Tynkkynen and shoved him. The police asked if the MP wanted to
The worst racists of Finland
Wrong. I am not talking about people who post a lot of racist trash like from the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. I am specifically talking about those who claim to be against racism but are unwilling to challenge institutionalized racism and suffering, in many cases, from white fragility. Our system of institutional racism has so
Unpublished Finland Bridge column: Hold the Fort (Until Sanity Returns)
Migrant Tales insight: After publishing a regular column for Finland Bridge of Finland Society (Suomi-Seura), the column below written in 2015 was the last one. Apparently, the content of the column was too much for the editor of the magazine, who scolded me for being too critical of the Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party). I had to
The new PS board is a tinderbox and a liability to their political goals
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED While some reporters are hoping for the downfall of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government, they are also rooting for the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, whom they see as a shoo-in to lead or be a member of Finland’s next government after the 2023 parliamentary elections. If you look at the reporting of the
Whoever is elected as the chair of the PS will perpetuate Finland’s lie
The annual of the xenophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* in Seinäjoki will elect Saturday the party’s next chairperson after Jussi Halla-aho announced in June that he would not seek a new term. While it is a foregone conclusion that the PS’ first vice president Riikka Purra will be the party’s new chairperson, it is also clear that
A-Studio: Riikka Purra wants to tighten Finnish citizenship law, do away with pull factors
Riikka Purra, the favorite to win the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* leadership at the party’s annual meeting over the weekend, said Wednesday at Yle’s A-Studio was one of the many steps she took wants to tighten citizenship laws. This summer, the first vice president of the PS said that the party would not join any government that would not tighten “significantly” immigration
Exposing white Finnish privilege #79: Spreading lies at our economic peril
What if most of the anti-immigration talking points spread by politicians like Jussi Halla-aho, Riikka Purra, and most of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party are just outright lies and urban legends? What if those false arguments put Finland in economic and social peril because they are untrue? An interesting paper titled, The 14 Most Common Arguments against
The blood that the PS forced to boil has turned into acid eating away its support
I am certain that I am not the only one whose blood boils every time a Perussuomalaiset (PS)* politician makes a racist statement about migration, cultural diversity, minorities, and the EU. In light of the June municipal election, the PS’ result was a disappointment for the party even if they improved their result by 5.6
10 years after the 22/7 mass killings in Norway and what it reveals about us
Ten years have passed since 22/7, and some Norwegians are still asking, “why?” I remember that day as if it were yesterday. First, a bomb exploded in downtown Oslo, and what followed then were the cold-blooded murders of young people on Utøya island. A total of 77 people lost their lives on that day. Countless
Education without empathy and moral compass can turn you into a monster
The process to turn Finland’s far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party wants to become “a normal mainstream” party continues. You see, they claim, we’re “normal” because we have physicists and party members, like Riikka Purra, working on their PhDs. Sakari Puisto, who is also vying to be elected chairperson of the PS and Purra, has a Ph.D.
(Migrant Tales, July 9, 2021): A quote for Riikka Purra – “If you can only be tall because someone is on their knees, then you have a serious problem”
Who is Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party heir-apparent Riikka Purra’s mentor? Is it far-right leader Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally or UK home secretary hardliner Priti Patel? Purra got her anti-immigration inspiration from Jussi Halla-aho’s racist blog postings. “If it’s up to me, the Perussuomalaiset will never form part of a government that won’t tighten significantly Finnish
Riikka Purra seeks to lead the Perussuomalaiset party on Islamophobic and anti-EU soundbites. Populism and economic ruin?
Should we be surprised that Perussuomalaiset (PS)* first vice president Riikka Purra announced her candidacy for chairperson of the Islamophobic party? Since she is the favorite to win the title, what will change, if anything, after its present chairperson Jussi Halla-aho steps down at next month’s annual meeting? Purra, does not hide her Islamophobic views,
Kiitos, Mestari!
Halla-aho, tuo kaukaa viisas ja kaikkivoipa jättää puheenjohtajuuden. Näinä vaikeina aikoina Jussi on Ylen mukaan valottanut tulevaisuuttaan sanomalla, että hän jatkaa kansanedustajana ja Helsingin kaupunginvaltuutettuna. Tämä on huojentava tieto. Onhan Halla-aho jo nyt, kymmenen vuotta pyyteettömästi Helsingin valtuustossa istuttuaan, omia aloitteita tekemättä ja toisten hyviä aloitteita turhan voimakkaasti estelemättä jättänyt ison jäljen Helsingin upeaan monikulttuuriseen
The media must fact-check what xenophobic politicians spread and claim
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED It is a good sign that some Finnish media like Yle are fact-checking what politicians say. However, it is a bit too late because the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* have built their popularity on making false claims about migrants. I’m pretty certain that if we were to do a fact-check on all the
The PS exposed its far-right credentials. After they get rid of the Muslims, are unions the next in line?
Jussi Halla-aho, the chairperson of the Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, exposed another spoonful of its ever-visible far-right credentials on Saturday by demanding a 3,000-euro a month salary minimum for migrants to get a residence permit and weakening workers’ rights. The PS leader, who was convicted in 2012 for ethnic agitation and breaching the sanctity of religion,
Kokoomus and the PS are ready to go to bed after the municipal election
The Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is a far-right and racist party that will fail in the end because its core values are based on malarkey. Parties like the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) that want to form bedroom alliances with the PS will fail as well. The chairperson of the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), Petter Orpo, is well-known
Is Helsingin Sanomat disingenuous when it calls basketball star Awak Kuier a Finn?
Some Finns will go an exceptionally long way to protect their white nationality and exceptionalism. They even voted in 2011 39 MPs from 5 MPs previously for a party, the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, to ensure that Finland remains white. Everyone knows that such an aim by the PS, to keep Finland white, is a political pipedream.
Miksi persut eivät tee mitään?
”Yksissäkään aiemmissa vaaleissa ei äänestäjällä ole ollut samanlaista mahdollisuutta ottaa kantaa, kuin nyt. Vuosia kestänyt maahanmuuttokriittinen projekti kulminoituu näihin vaaleihin ja se kulminoituu perussuomalaisten maahanmuuttokriittisiin ehdokkaisiin.” Sama kaiku on ollut puheilla myös kunnallisvaalien alla 2012, eduskuntavaaleissa 2015, kunnallisvaaleissa 2017, eduskuntavaaleissa 2019 ja sama maahanmuuttajavastainen loilotus kaikuu myös tämän vuoden kunnallisvaaleissa. Miksi vuodet kuluvat, mutta persut
STATEMENT: The great replacement theory and playing with fire
It was only in March when the Finnish Security Service (Supo) 2020 annual report warned that the great replacement theory is nothing more than a conspiracy theory used by far-right terrorist groups. Should we be surprised that Finns Party (PS) politicians like its leader Jussi Halla-aho, vice president Riikka Purra, and party secretary Simo Grönroos have spread
The Perussuomalaiset: Take back Finland and hurrah for Viktor Orbán’s Hungary
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Mari Rantanen, a nurse, and policewoman, is known for her Islamophobic and white nationalist views. In the tweet below, she states that let’s take Finland back in the municipal elections of June 13. Apart from the deception that in city councils we are going to exercise power like in parliament (sic), Rantanen,
A guide against the ethnic replacement conspiracy theory promoted by the PS
The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) 2020 report laid bear how ethnic replacement claims are the usual mix of far-right conspiracy theories and the smoking gun of terrorism from this fringe group. Should we be surprised that the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, which leads in opinion polls, is spreading this malarkey? If we look at
Confirmed again: the PS is a far-right party that is a threat to our security
Remember Charlottesville, when the far-right, which Donald Trump called in 2017 “very fine people,” marched yelling, “they will not replace us?” While in the US, this message was an anti-Semitic rant, in Finland, politicians like Jussi Halla-aho, Riikka Purra, and Simo Grönroos of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party are playing the same vile tune. The Finnish
Finland’s PM Sanna Marin is the target of fierce misogynistic attack by online users
A story published Wednesday in Politico exposed the misogyny against Finland’s woman prime minister, Sanna Marin, and the women members of her cabinet. Considering that Finland’s biggest opposition party, the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* which is also leading in opinion polls, hate speech has raised its head for many years. Hate speech and the PS are like
Exposing white Finnish privilege #78: the spread and acceptance of white nationalism
THE STORY WAS UPDATED Events after the storming of the Capitol building in Washington on January 6 exposed white nationalist terrorism as the biggest threat facing the United States. Since the events that took place at the Capitol did not happen spontaneously, are we going to see something similar in Finland’s ever-hostile far-right groups like
Bring in the labor immigrants and climbing out of the xenophobic pit
Center Party chairperson and minister for culture, Annika Saarikko, is the type of leadership Finland needs today unless it wants to climb out of its deep xenophobic pit spearheaded by the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. Considering that her party is being targeted by the PS, which bases its support on spreading suspicion and anti-immigration sentiment, Saarikko’s
Populism and lack of leadership under Petteri Orpo fuel Kokoomus’ tailspin
The National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) received a political bomb that exposed the party’s internal strife between its liberal and populist-conservative wing. Kokoomus’ candidate for Helsinki mayor, Kirsi Piha, and Helsinki city councilor Hanna Gullichsen, both party’s liberal wing, announced they would step aside. Piha stated in a blog posting her decision to pull out from
Don’t give racist charlatans a megaphone
Which Finnish politicians are the country’s biggest charlatans? We all know them by name. Finland’s media has learned to pushback more than before and not give a megaphone to political con artists. It is called media responsibility. Who are these charlatans? They are the ones who always pick on the disadvantaged threatening them with a
The PS will not succeed at turning Finland into a Hungary or Trumpland
TOPLINE The greatest deterrent in foiling the attempts of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party’s political aims is our fervent opposition to such plans. SOLUTIONS What does the latter imply? It means: voting, getting active in politics, writing, talking, debating, reciting poetry, demonstrating, going on hunger strike, getting constantly informed, busting fake news – living as if
The wet political dream of the Perussuomalaiset party*
With municipal elections nearing on April 18, it’s interesting to note how the Perussuoalaiset (PS) are sowing division. Like in previous elections, they have always received a boost by some sexual assault crimes caused by asylum seekers and people of color. Their campaign is full of bravado mixed with impossible campaign promises. Their pet topic
Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen on zero asylum seekers and other wishes like our head up our…
When I read the news story that Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that she wants the country to accept zero asylum seekers, I sarcastically thought that one of the EU’s most Islamophobic countries had found a solution to end global inequality and strife. The Perussuomalaiset (PS), Finland’s close ideological ally of the Danish People’s
Why are the PS so silent about the US President Joe Biden’s administration?
TOPLINE The silence emerging from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* politicians are highly revealing. Their populist autocratic mentor, former President Donald Trump, is history and no longer in power. KEY FACTS While only PS MEP Laura Huhtasaari and PS MP Veikko Vallin were some of the very few politicians of the party to comment on the transfer
Exposing white Finnish privilege #77: The PS are Finnish white supremacists
TOPLINE One of the interesting facts about white nationalism is that it is copied from somewhere else. Thus, white supremacist conspiracy views in Finland are nothing more than copy-and-paste jobs from somewhere else. Some may play down the PS as a “light” version of white supremacy. We disagree. The PS under the leadership of Jussi
A new low for the Perussuomaliset: Snitching on your teacher and neighbor
TOPLINE In autocratic countries like the former Nazi Germany, North Korea, and elsewhere, snitching was one way to deal with enemies of the state. The Perussuomalaiset (PS)* are now asking students and people who speak against the party. BACKGROUND PS MP Jani Mäkelä, who sees no wrong with Trump and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, tweets: “Important
Why radical-right populism will fail in Finland
TOPLINE After the historic election of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party in 2011, when it won 39 seats in parliament from 5 previously, two international events have kept in check the PS’ rise: the bloody 22/7 events that left seventy-seven dead in Norway, and Wednesday’s storming of the Capitol building in Washington. After the historical rise
A warning to Finland from Washington
TOPLINE One of the big questions to arise from the Capitol storming on Wednesday by hordes of President Donald Trump followers is if the same could happen in Finland and other European capitals. The dust from the Capitol building’s storming by Trump hordes is still settling on a political landscape that appears threatening. Whatever your
Migrant Tales (24.12.2020): Ask the Perussuomalaiset if they still “love” US President Donald Trump
THE STORY WAS UPDATED TOPLINE Considering the Trump-fueled terrorism in Washington Wednesday, I ask once again the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party the following question: Do you still “love” President Donald Trump? KEY BACKGROUND With the Trump presidency making its rambunctious exit after four years of chaos and moral decay, our attention should shift to Finland. Do
Hall of Shame: Finland’s 2020 Islamophobic and Afrophobic network
Choosing the key figures in the Islamophobic and Afrophobic Hall of Shame wasn’t difficult even during a year ravaged by Covid-19. The task was to choose the most obvious culprits and other ones in the media that fuel and maintain such a toxic environment. In putting together this year’s Hall of Shame, I was quickly
Exposing white Finnish privilege #76: Two news stories that expose entitlement
If the story about youth crime committed by so-called people of migrant backgrounds had been published in the United States, many would be considered misleading and racist. One in November about youth crime ended up labeling all youths of migrant origin as dangerous or potential criminals. The other one, published this month, was about the
Reija Härkönen: Rasisteista puhutaan liian ylevin termein
Valtakunnan politiikassa on joukkio, joka esiintyy räyhäkkään rasistisesti, hyökkäävästi ja syrjivästi. Media kohtelee tätä sakkia pehmeästi, jopa hyväksyvästi. Vain harvoin käytetään heitä selkeästi kuvailevia termejä: rasistit, rasistipuolue, uusfasistit, uusnatsit, eduskunnan häiriköt, kansanryhmää vastaan kiihottajat. Termi, jota media usein käyttää, on ”populisti”. Sana on niin mukavan pyöreä ja pumpulinen ja kuulostaa ihan popmusiikilta. Moni persu julistaakin ylpeästi
Facebook (Anders Adlecreutz): Perussuomalaiset ja valikoitua tietoa
Onko kuka laskenut montako kerta ovat Perussuomalaiset, erityisesti Jussi Halla-aho, on käyttänyt sanaa “maahanmuuttajia?” Entä kuinka monta kertaa hän on levittänyt palturia maahanmuuttajista ja maahanmuutosta? On se hieno asia, että osa politiikoista ja lehdistöstä reagoivat näihin valeuutisiin. Kiitoksia kansanedustaja Anders Adlecreutz.
A danger to democracy
If there is one matter that US President Donald Trump’s self-coup has evidenced, it is the fragility of our democracy. This is also the case in Finland with the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, a pro-Trump radical right party that openly supports Trump. Some factors unite Finland with the United States. Finns have – incorrectly – said in
The way to stand up to racist bullying by politicians is to challenge them head-on
You would think that Finland, which claims to have one of the world’s best education systems, knows how to deal with racism and bullying. If we look at the last decade and the rise of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, it appears that Finland has failed miserably in the task. The PS is today the second
Reija Härkönen: Mikä kumman maahanmuuttokysymys?
Suomen politiikassa on viime vuosina vakiintunut käsitys, että meillä olisi joku erillinen maahanmuuttokysymys, joka olisi ratkaistava. Termi on rasististen oikeistopuolueiden lanseeraama ja media on tarttunut siihen hanakasti. Meillä on tahoja, jotka pelkäävät suomalaisten ”sekoittuvan” muihin ”rotuihin” ja menettävän kansalliset erikoispiirteet. Tämän nojalla halutaan estää maahanmuutto sellaisista maista, joiden väestö eroaa ulkonäöltään ”perinteisistä suomalaisista”. Erottelua perustellaan
Finland’s Islamophobic party, the PS, is a huge fan of Donald Trump and authoritarianism
THE STORY WAS UPDATED There is one clear message from the tweets and picture below with Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MPs Jussi Halla-aho, Mike Niikko, Vilhelm Junnila and Veikko Vallin: THEY LOVE TRUMP. How could the PS fall for a man like outgoing US President Donald Trump who has no respect for the rule of law (unless
Exposing white Finnish privilege #75: Obsession with race, ethnicity, and us versus them
THE STORY WAS UPDATED If we want to give a massive blow to racism in Finland and parties that promote this social ill, we need to change the language we use when speaking of all those that live here. One label that I have always disliked is “person with migrant or foreign background.” What does
November 7, 2020: A day that ended an infamous administration
The US presidential election’s long-anticipated result bore fruit on Saturday with Joe Biden projected as Pennsylvania’s winner and getting him over the 270 electoral threshold defeating incumbent Donald Trump. Four years of political capriciousness and reckless buffoonery by Trump came to an end. It has been a terrible and exhausting four years following a man
The tragic deaths in France expose the disenfranchisement of Muslims
I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain. James Baldwin (1924-87) Ir, there is one matter that the killings in France have reinforced, it is the disenfranchisement of the Muslim community of France. How
The media has power but it prefers driving a moped when confronting racism and the Perussuomalaiset
If there is somebody to blame for Finland’s Perussuomalaiset (PS)* problem, a big part of the blame falls on the media. In that group, you will find politicians and about 17% of Finns who vote for an openly hostile party to Muslims, people of color, and minorities. A good example of the media’s power was
Mitä ajattelevat Perussuomalaiset ja mitä he peittelevät?
Keitä ovat Perussuomalaiset? Elävätkö he rinnakaistodellisuudessa tai peittelevätkö keitä he ovat todellisuudessa, eli vihaamielisia islamofoobisia, etnonastionalistisia ja maahanmuuttovastaisia? Tässä muutamia väitteitä. Totta tai tarua? Keltainen ei ole pelkurein* väri. Se ei ole myöskään lumenväri. Jussi Halla-aho ei ole stand up koomikko. Emme kannusta aparthedia.
What happened in France was horrendous, the reaction of Islamophobes is just as bad
It is dreadful what happened in France when a man beheaded a teacher for showing students caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. Any sensible person, irrespective of his or her background, would condemn what happened. Even so, Islamophobes from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party were already spreading racism and trying to score political points. Having lived in
Reija Härkönen: Kansanedustajat, olette suurelta osin vastuussa siitä, saako rasismi edetä Suomessa
Rasismin vastustaminen ja maahanmuuttajavähemmistöjen puolustaminen tuntuu käytännön tasolla jäävän kansalaisten ja järjestöjen tehtäväksi. Perussuomalaisten noustua suurella rasistijoukkiolla eduskuntaan vuonna 2011 kansalaisyhteiskunta heräsi. Lukemattomat netti- ja reaalimaailman yhteisöt nostavat esiin yhteiskuntamme ikävää lieveilmiötä ja yrittävät keksiä, kuinka rasismia vähennetään ja kuinka saadaan ihmiset luopumaan syrjivistä asenteistaan. On vaikea sanoa, olemmeko loppujen lopuksi saaneet paljonkaan aikaisiksi, mutta
The PS of Finland is harmful
“Immigration from Africa and the Middle East is harmful and becomes more harmful as their numbers grow.” The quote by Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairperson Jussi Halla-aho in today’s session of parliament is an example of his disdain and hatred of people of color. The reason why he and his party victimize people in such a racist
Perussuomalaiset on vaarallinen äärioikeistopuolue
Perussuomalaisten jytkyn jälkeen v. 2011 kerroin blogissani kylmistä väreistä, jotka sain lukiessani Helsingin Sanomien julkaiseman artikkelin Hitlerin varhaisesta kirjeestä. Kolmekymppinen tuleva hirmuhallitsija ilmaisi suhtautumisensa juutalaisiin näin: “Vastenmielisyyden aiheuttajana on enimmäkseen henkilökohtainen kontakti ja vaikutelma, jonka yksittäinen juutalainen aiheuttaa – ja joka on lähes aina epäsuotuisa” Juuri samalla tavalla argumentoi tuolloin vasta valittu kansanedustaja, Jussi Halla-aho,
Case Pekka Kataja of the PS: I’m surprised that you are surprised
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED It is revealing to read comments from the Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party about Friday’s bombshell news: the police detained a former PS politician and a far-right Nazi-spirited activist on suspected attempted murder charges against Pakka Kataja. Starting from PS chairperson Jussi Halla-aho, who was convicted in 2012 for ethnic agitation and
Pekka Kataja’s attackers are two far-right activists. Have the Finnish authorities awoken to the threat of such groups?
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED In April, I had the opportunity to interview Yaron Nadbornik, the president of the Jewish Community of Helsinki. One of the matters that struck me of the interview was that in 2018-2019 the authorities started to recognize anti-Semitism as a problem. Today the police took into custody two far-right activists charged
Another study that sheds light in Finland on disadvantaged migrants and their children
A study by Ognjen Obućina and Ilari Ilmakunnas and cited by Sunday’s Helsingin Sanomat concluded the following: poverty and housing overcrowding was more prevalent among immigrant children compared with white Finnish children. The study showed that 60% of migrant children had experienced poverty for at least a year during the first five years of their lives.
The Perussuomalaiset picks on vulnerable single mothers and migrant men
“Since leaving the White House in 1981, Rosalynn and I have strived to advance human rights in countries around the world. In this quest, we have seen that silence can be as deadly as violence.” Jimmy Carter Some sectors of the media and other people like teachers believe that silence is the best response to
An incomplete study on the rise of the PS of Finland shrowded in white denial
Yle published Saturday, a study that tells us something we have known: The fear of losing one’s economic status is fuel for the rise of populist parties like the Perussuomnalaiset (PS). Hanna Wss, the researcher, states that the rise of populism in countries like Sweden, the United Kingdom (Brexit), and the election of President Donald
Reija Härkönen: Pölhöpopulistien puheet
Donald Trumpin vaalipuheesta v. 2020: At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies, or two agendas. This election will decide if we save the American dream or whether we allow a socialist agenda to demolish our cherished destiny. It will decide whether we rapidly create millions
Two ways of weighing crime: one is a white Finn and another a Pakistani migrant
We read about the brutal assault against a Perussuomalaiset (PS)* campaign manager Pekka Kataja. There was great interest in what happened when he mentioned that the suspect(s) were probably “Arab-looking.” Silence befell the PS after Kataja changed his story by claiming that the attackers were probably from the far-right. One question that arises here is
The self-destruction of Trump and the future of global populism and racism
As the gap between Joe Biden and US President Donald Trump widens in the opinion polls, populist-far right parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* are feeling the pressure. Much of the hate fuel that PS and other like-minded politicians feed on from Trump is starting to run out if the US president loses on November 3.
Some social media reaction to today’s vote that failed to lift Juha Mäenpää’s parliamentary immunity
Social media reaction to Friday’s vote in parliament that saved Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Juha Mäenpää from facing ethnic agitation charges has been lively. Parliament (Eduskunta) voted on Friday not to lift Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Juha Mäenpää’s parliamentary immunity, which needed a five-sixths majority to pass. The final vote tally was 121 in favor of lifting
Finnish parliament does not lift Juha Mäenpää’s immunity from prosecution
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED The racist in a culture with racism is therefore normal. Frantz Fanon (1925-61) Parliament (Eduskunta) voted on Friday not to lift Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Juha Mäenpää’s parliamentary immunity, which needed a five-sixths majority to pass. The final vote tally was 121 in favor of lifting parliamentary immunity, and 54 against; 24
Pitäisikö rasistien rangaistuksia koventaa?
Suomessa keskustellaan, onko kansanedustajalla eduskunnassa oikeus ilman laissa säädettyä rangaistusta halujensa ja kykyjensä mukaan solvata maahanmuuttajia ja kiihottaa kannattajiaan kansanryhmää vastaan. Yllätys tällainen keskustelu ei ole, onhan rasismille näkyvästi tasoiteltu tietä Suomen eduskuntaan jo yli kymmenen vuoden ajan. Ei yllätys, mutta suuri kauhistus. Ei tämä ole Suomi, pohjoismainen, sivistynyt oikeusvaltio. Enää ei voi ajatella, että
Case PS MP Juha Mäenpää: Racism, bigotry, and fascism give another blow to the Finnish parliament’s credibility
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED The Finnish parliament voted Friday not to lift Juha Mäenpää’s parliamentary immunity, which needed a five-sixths majority; 121 voted in favor and 54 against. A total of 24 MPs were absent. Those who voted against were 37 Perussuomalaiset Party MPs, 6 Center Party MPs, 5 Christian Democrat MPs, 4 National Coalition
The most “notable” members of Finland’s Islamophobic network in 2019
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED Who are the most “notable” figures of Finland’s Islamophobic network in 2019? In the list below, 13 are members of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, 3 are National Coalition Party (NCP) members, 2 are Christian Democrats (KD), and three others are political “freelancers:” Marco de Wit, Junnes Lokka, and Tiina Wiik. The
The Mäenpää “invasive species” case is an example of how disenfranchised are Muslims and migrants in Finland
There is one matter that is clear about Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Juha Mäenpää: he hates Muslims so much that last year he compared them to an “an invasive species.” He is also close ideologically with Ano Turtiainen, who mocked George Floyd’s death. According to the National Geographic, “An invasive species is an organism that is
The PS jump from one scandal to the next
As the dust settles over this tumultuous week for the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS) party, the question to ask if business will be back to “normal” in the PS? The first scandal was MP Ano Turtiainen’s tweet that mocked George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police. Apart from ending Turtianen’s short-lived career as
How does the Perussuomalaiset party resemble the coronavirus or vice versa?
Here are some symptoms of the coronavirus: fever, dry cough, sore throat, tiredness, headaches, loss of taste, and smell. Here are some symptoms of the PS virus: racism, Islamophobia, bigotry, climate denial, conspiracy theories, mediocracy, pro-Putin, and incompetence. Like Covid-19, which fools and infects healthy cells, the PS virus also enters and infects institutions like
Our incapacity to feel for others, our indifference to their suffering is what is causing our moral downfall in the EU
Some studies claim that vote share for Eurosceptic parties has more than doubled in two decades, according to the Guardian. This problem has many answers. One of these is that Europeans have not done enough to root out all forms of racism. Our colonial legacy still hangs as an onerous shadow that encourages us to
Wake up Finland! Is the PS far-right political agenda who we are?
The Toni Jalonen story of the former Perussuomalaiset (PS)* second vice president who resigned because he said he was a fascist, is an opportunity for Finland to take a long and deep look in the mirror. Above all, it is an opportunity to look at the hypocrisy within the PS and political culture. It also
PS Youth’s candid racism and fascism forces it to split from the party even if both adhere to the same far-right agenda
Not obtaining the two-thirds majority needed to change the bylaws, the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Youth turned down a motion from the party to change its bylaws 56 votes in favor to 45 against. The vote was a definite setback to PS chairperson Jussi Halla-aho. Even if the party will make a decision in early March on
The PS playbook of how to spread racism, disinformation and fake news
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* first vice president and MP, Riikka Purra, is at it again. During the postal strike, she misled people by stating that 98% of early morning mail carriers were migrants. Early morning mail carriers are a small part of the postal company’s services. According to Posti, 80% of postal workers in Finland and 70%
PS Youth vice president: “I am an ethnonationalist, traditionalist, and a fascist”
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED Toni Jalonen, who is the second vice president of the Perussuomalaiset* (PS) Youth and member of the Nazi-spirited Suomen Sisu, states openly in a speech below that “I am an ethnonationalist, traditionalist, and a fascist [clapping].” Yes, you heard, right. Politically matters appear spinning rapidly out of control in the PS
Exposing white Finnish privilege #69: Spreading racism and hatred the Iltalehti and PS way
Any sensible person, irrespective of his cultural and religious background, does not condone sexual harassment. Even so, the police and Iltalehti continue full steam ahead to blame Muslims for these types of crimes. The blame game is so potent that we forget that most of the sexual harassment cases are committed by Finns. It is
Is Matias Turkkila a part of Finland’s Islamophobic network? You bet!
One matter is for certain: You don’t need to prove somebody is a racist because that person does it for you. Racists also think people are stupid and can’t see through them. While I am not suggesting that Turkkila is a racist, he’s had a big role in helping the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and its politicians
Spiral of hatred is a tightening noose around the neck of the Perussuomalaiset party
Racism is like a rabid dog on a short leash. The racist shows of his dog and other racists are amazed. But a warning: The dog can bite back and hard because the sick dog knows no master. The Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is a party that is spinning out of control, and it is self-inflicted: Ethnonationalism,
PS MP hides behind his party to absolve him of ethnic agitation charges. Chicken!
“Part of the problem seems to lie with Finnish politicians who truly believe that having a dialogue – any dialogue, regardless of who is on the opposite side of the table – is better than having no dialogue at all. So you can easily end up with the equivalent of a businessman trying to reach
The only person who is oblivious to Timo Soini the politician is Timo Soini
Former Perussuomnalaiset chairperson Timo Soini reappeared from obscurity on Tuesday with the launching of his book on populism called “Populismi.” My initial reaction was that I had not missed at all and his round-about and apologist soundbites and arguments. He states with his usual poker face: “My opinion about humanity is that every person is
Lauri Finér: Millaista on perussuomalaisten maahanmuuttopolitiikka?
Perussuomalaisten esittämillä toimilla maahanmuuton kustannukset kasvaisivat. Toimet ovat myös ristiriidassa puolueen kovien maahanmuuttotavoitteiden kanssa eikä niillä ratkaistaisi kansainvälisen siirtolaisuuden ongelmia. Kirjoitin viikko sitten blogissani perussuomalaisten talouspolitiikasta. Totesin puolueen ohjelmiin ja vaihtoehtobudjettiin nojaten, että perussuomalaisten ehdotukset ovat täynnä virheitä ja ristiriidassa puolueen julkilausumien tavoitteiden kanssa. Lisäksi esitin, että perussuomalaisten talouspoliittinen linja suosii hyväosaisia ja on suomalaisessa poliittisessa kentässä
QUOTE OF THE DAY (Toni Morrison): “What are you without racism?”
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED Dedicated to the racist politicians, political parties and groups in Finland. And let’s be clear. I am talking about the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), Christian Democrats, neo-Nazi groups and websites like Hommaforum. Some politicians that come to mind are Jussi Halla-aho, Riikka Purra, Ville Tavio, Matias Turkkila, Ano Turtiainen,
How Finland’s National Coalition Party spreads wholesale racism of Muslims
The National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) claims to champion liberal Western values and entrepreneurship, right? Is this true if the party succumbs to cheap anti-immigration populism? Kokoomus MP Wille Rydman likes spewing copy-and-paste soundbites of the Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. Apart from his staunch Islamophobic views, he also takes up pseudo-scientific eugenicist views as in this
The PS’ hateful rhetoric is a copy-and-paste job from Trumps’ and Fox’s USAmerica
The rhetoric of the radical-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)*party looks like a direct copy-and-paste job from Donald Trump’s Republicans and Fox news. The PS’ leader Jussi Halla-aho labels maliciously Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government as “socialist” and even PS MP Ville Tavio claims it is “communist,” you know that this is all a copy-and-paste job from the
Persu valehtelee eduskunnan edessä – vaatii muilta puolueilta rehellisyyttä
Perussuomalaiset kertovat tänään vastauksessaan hallitustunnustelijalle, että osallistuvat vain hallitukseen, jossa kaikki puolueet sitoutuvat rehellisyyteen ja vaativat ministereiltä totuudessa pysymistä. Vaatimus on sinänsä hyveellinen ja oikea, mutta muuttuu naurettavaksi kun se tulee puolueelta, jonka politiikka kokonaisuudessaan perustuu valehteluun, huijaukseen ja vääristelyyn. Otetaanpa esimerkiksi yksi viimeisistä näytöksistä. Perussuomalaiset keksivät kuukausi sitten alkaa tehtailla rikosilmoituksia vanhoista TV-huumorin pätkistä
What is better: Scoring high on the World Press Freedom Index or uncritical reporting?
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED Finland will wake up too late when incompetent populist parties, their politicians and policies lead us to the doorsteps of hell just like what happened in Germany after 1933. Even if Finland ranks second in the World Press Freedom Index after Norway, how high does it score when it writes about
Perussuomalaiset: Onko suurin osa postinjakajista, etenkin pääkaupunkiseudulla, ulkomaalaisia?
TÄMÄ JUTTU ON PÄIVITETTY Viime aikoina on puhuttu siitä kuinka paljon poliitikot valehtelevat. Suomen lehdistö hyvin laiskasti seuraa näitä valheita ja kuka valheita kertoo. Puolue joka esittää vääristeltyä ja liioiteltua tietoa ja asioita, erityisesti silloin jos asia koskee maahanmuuttajia, niin perussuomalainen puolue kunnostautuu tässä. Yhdysvaltain presidentti Donald Trump valehtele paljon. Washington Post lehdessä fakta-tarkastaa presidentin
Exposing Finnish white privilege #66: Abdirahim Husu Hussein and dealing with racist passengers in a racist environment
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED Helsinki City Councilperson Abdirahim Husu Hussein has been in the eye of a storm over a passenger who harassed him in a racist manner and who he was planning to leave the car at a bus stop but took the person to his final destination. Hussein posted on Facebook on Sunday
Case Abdirahim Husu Hussein (again) and the racism of the Perussuomalaiset party
Helsinki City Councilperson Abdirahim Husu Hussein has a lot of grit against racist parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and its band of followers. The latest incident proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the PS is a racist party. Hussein is a courageous politician who gets stronger with every racist death threat and harassment
MP Wille Rydman’s racist malarkey is a copy-and-paste job of the Perussuomalaiset
Wille Rydman is a National Coalition Party (NCP) MP who has built his career on xenophobia and racist soundbites. For some in the NCP, he is known as the Halla-aho of the party. Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairperson Jussi Halla-aho is largely responsible for steering the party further to the far-right. He was convicted of ethnic agitation
Hate speech study and story by Yle: Interviewing the wolf guarding the sheep
Ovem lupo commitere. The saying in Latin, To set a wolf to guard sheep, raises the right question about a YLE news story on a hate speech study and how it intimidates politicians from expressing their opinions. The study reveals that 75% of the messages come from anti-immigration groups, with the rest coming from left-liberal
The Kuopio tragedy and the shameful silence of the Perussuomalaiset party
The Finnish city of Kuopio tragically witnessed the death of a person and 10 others injured at the Savo Vocational College, The Guardian reported, citing the local media and police. Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go to the victims of the incident. The East Finland Police tweeted earlier today that the suspect is “a native-born
DPP, Golden Dawn, FPÖ…chalk up another loss for the far right in Europe
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED The snap elections in Austria saw the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) suffer a blistering defeat with the number of MPs plummeting by 37.3% to 32 from 51. Sebastian Kurz of the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) was the biggest winner getting 38.4% of the popular vote and gaining 11 MPs to
Twitter Abirahim Husu Hussein: 27 PS members filed charges to the police
Abrirahim Husu Hussein tweeted that 27 members of the far-right Perusuomalaiset (PS)* party filed charges against the Helsinki city councilperson for tweeting in July that all the PS, its voters, and supporters are racists. Of all the Finnish political parties, the PS is the most racist. Under Jussi Halla-aho’s leadership, the party has steered to
The Porvoo shootings reveal the depth of our society’s xenophobia and ultranationalism
Just like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party exploited to their benefit the Oulu sexual assault cases earlier this year, the same was happening after two gunmen shot two police officers in Porvoo over the weekend. Rumors about a conspiracy theory by the police were rife and being spread by PS politicians, who believed that the suspects
Radical right 101 (lesson 1): Is the Perussuomalaiset a radical right party?
Migrant Tales will start publishing news about how the far-right, specifically the radical right, is dupping half a million Finns. I consider the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* as the biggest menace to Finland’s democracy, our Nordic way of life, and vibrant cultural diversity. Former PS party secretary and MP, Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, disagrees. She said on A-studio (31.8)
Parties like the PS spread hate while Finnish society becomes more polarized
I was surprised that Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho posted on his Facebook page what I consider inciting ethnic hatred against Muslims, which he refers to as “harmful immigration.” The fact that far-right politicians like Halla-aho feel free to insult and incite hate against Muslims shows that the work of the police on this front
QUOTE OF THE DAY (Farhad Manjoo): White replacement fear-mongering are racist and misogynistic conspiracy theories
Parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS) in Finland eagerly talk about how one of Europe’s whitest country’s will be taken over by people of color and become minorities. Writes Farhad Manjoo: “’The Great Replacement’ is a racist and misogynistic conspiracy theory that holds that white people face existential decline, even extinction, because of rising immigration in the West
The PS and its Riikka Purras: Spreading hatred of minorities and migrants is ok
THE STORY WAS UPDATED One far-right politician who has eagerly spread white Finnish supremacist ideology is Perussuomalaiset (PS)* vice-chairperson and MP Riikka Purra. In her latest Facebook post, she attempts to defend her views with a chart that is misleading and racist. One of the problems with Purra’s argument is that she speaks of white
After spreading white replacement pseudo-theories, PS MP Purra is silent whether the carnage in El Paso could happen in Finland
Ethnonationalism and “white Finnish replacement” pseudo-theories are being eagerly spread in Finland by politicians like Riikka Purra and Jussi Halla-aho, vice-chairperson and chairperson of the far-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. An important question arises in light of the tragic weekend when a white supremacist killed 22 victims in El Paso, Texas, and another man killed 9
Two sides of the same coin: El Paso white supremacist terrorist and Perussuomalaiset MP Olli Immonen and others of Finland
The white supremacist terrorist that murdered 20 innocent people and wounded two dozen on Saturday in El Paso, Texas, published a manifesto declaring war on Hispanics. He wrote: “Hispanics will take control of the local and state government of my beloved Texas, changing policy to better suit their needs. They will turn Texas into an
Perussuomalaiset a racist party? You bet!
A racist is an individual, always an individual, who does not like people based on race – must be conscious – and who intentionally seems to be mean to them. Robin DiAngelo, sociologist THIS STORY WAS UPDATED Using DiAngelo’s definition, the Perussuomalaiset (PS),* their politicians, their voters, and followers are racists because through such a party
Abdirahim Husu Hussein claim about the Perussuomalaiset is a threat to the far-right party
DiAngelo’s definition of racism incriminates the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* with their hand in the racist cookie jar. The whole political message of the PS hinges on consciously being mean to people of color, especially Muslims and Somalis.
Spreading lies and racism in Finland with the help of conspiracy theories and hearsay
Racism is not an idea to be debated, it is a social ill that we must fight. Wouldn’t you know it? One of the whitest countries in Europe, Finland, is afraid of being taken over by Muslims and other people of color. Who else but members of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party are pushing these types
Ethnonationalism, racist soundbites, and arguments to justify and promote white Finnish supremacy
In Finland, there are parties and groups whose sole aim is to defend Finnish white supremacy, a concocted lie to justify one’s racism and oppress and exclude people of color.
Päivän sitaatti (Old No. 7/Scripta-blogi 2008): Rasismi on osa suomalaista kulttuuria
Kommenti, joka kirjoitettiin Jussi Halla-ahon Scripta-blogissa syyskuussa 2008, on muistututs kuinka rasismia hysätään Suomessa. Sama sävel valitettavissa jatkaa tänään. Nimimerkki “Old No. 7” kirjoittaa : “Mikäs mies tuo Enriikke Tessieeri on olevinaan? En oikein tykästynyt miehen teksteihin, tuntui vähän siltä että näppäimistöön kajotessaan Enriquella on alkanut pyryttää pahemman kerran. Eipä sillä, varmasti Suomessa on syrjintää,
Exposing Finnish white privilege #62: On free speech and scared white men
It is amusing to hear how some people, usually white Finnish males, are so concerned about free speech. From rock bands like Eppu Normaali to politicians from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party and others, the message is clear: the state is undermining our free speech. Really? How can people who grow up with privilege and power
MP Aimo Turtiainen’s ignorance and 1 + 1 = 2 views permit his foot to end up in his mouth
“The inhabitants of Juva are quiet about [MP] Ano Turtianen.* It is a sign that there is a lot of shame.” A Juva resident Ano Turtianen is an MP from the town of Juva (pop. 6,500) in Eastern Finland. Anyone who has visited Juva will most likely note a lot of pensioners walking with rollators.
Finland’s National Coalition Party gives the PS a helping hand in normalizing racism
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED Former Minister of Justice Antti Häkkänen, 34, is a conservative politician of the National Coalition Party (NCP) who doesn’t like Muslims and refugees. His recent tweet about Peussuomalaiset(PS)* party leader Jussi Halla-aho shows how the NCP has helped to make the PS and racism normal in Finland. One of the matters
Case Perussuomalaiset Youth: The worst enemy of the far right is the far right
The scandal that blew up in FPÖ leader’s Heinz-Christian Strache’s face and which brought down a government in Austria, Perussuomalaiset (PS)*Vice President Laura Huhtasaari’s participation in a meeting organized by Salvini in Milano with far-right leader Matteo Salvini, and the racist tweet below by the PS Youth are just one of many political setbacks.
Case Hussein al-Taee: The Finnish media should end its double standards and hypocrisy
Indeed, the racist and homophobic writings of Social Democrat MP Hussein al-Taee, which came to light after the April 14 parliamentary election, are shameful. However, what is even more shocking are the media’s double standards.
The Finnish media should refer to the Perussuomalaiset as a far-right party
Helsingin Sanomat goes to some length in a story about the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* being referred to by the chairperson of the Social Democratic Pary (PSOE), Pedro Sánchez, as a “far-right” party. We could not agree more to Pedro Sánchez’ description of the PS as a far-right party.
The Perussuomalaiset of Finland’s hubris and arrogance are their political soft spot
The good showing of the Islamophobic and xenophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, reveals a party blinded by hubris and hatred of migrants, especially Muslims. They are now out for blood but the blood they seek may be their own.
Social Democrats win elections in Finland but hard times await migrants, minorities and especially Muslims
With 99.3% of the votes counted, it appears that the Social Democrats will win the elections. While the Finnish media has spoken about the Perussuomalaiset’s (PS) good showing, there has not been a word said about what far-right populism will continue to impact and change the country.
S-worldview: The Islamophobic snake vampire of Finland
The Islamophobic snake vampire. Can you spot the Islamophobes? Timo Soini, Jussi Halla-aho, Sampo Terho, Teuvo Hakkarainen, Junes Lokka, Tiina Wiik, Laura Huhtasaari, Wille Rydman, Atte Kaleva, Ville Tavio, Simon Elo, Juho Eerola, and Olli Immonen. Should we be surprised that most of them represent the Perussuomalaiset* and Blue Reform parties? * The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party
Sonia Maria Koo: EU freedoms paralyzed by Finnish xenophobia
Finnish election campaigns make it hard to stay calm even for a tax-paying, diligent, well-educated and fluent in local language EU-citizen with two decades of history in this inward-turning country showing more and more its ugly face of xenophobia and hatred.
Atte Kaleva is a populist who spreads and dwells in Islamophobic soundbites
National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP candidate Atte Kaleva, who has overtaken Wille Rydman as the Halla-aho of his party, held a talk on March 15 in East Helsinki on “why multiculturalism doesn’t work.”
Attacks against Soini, Ahmed and the Muslim community of Finland are symptoms of our silence
What do the attacks against Blue Reform Foreign Minister Timo Soini in Vantaa Sunday and today against Left Alliance MP candidate Suldaan Said Ahmed tell us about today’s Finland? They tell us of a country that has been asleep to the threat of far-right extremism, Islamophobia and other forms of racism and hate speech.
One step forward for Islamophobes and two steps back for the Finnish media
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Teuvo Hakkarainen, convicted for ethnic agitation and sexual harassment, is on the roll with the media again. This time, the PS MP has taped on his car anti-immigration slogans like “stop refugee terrorism – out of this country every [asylum seeker] man.”
The Perussuomalaiset of Finland try to play down New Zealand atrocities but fail
In Finland, the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is an extremist far-right party that fear-mongers about Muslims and migrants. For many PS politicians, the Oulu sexual abuse cases came as an election lifesaver until Friday, when an Australian white supremacist murdered in cold blood 49 Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The price of hate and words have consequences: What goes round comes around
The atrocity that struck Christchurch leaving about 50 people dead has its roots in Norway, Oulu and in other places where anti-Muslim hatred was challenged by silence.
Timo Soini to retire from politics
Foreign Minister Timo Soini, 56, who inspired Islamophobes, racists and conservative nationalists to have a political voice and platform to lash out at migrants and minorities, announced that he will not seek a new term in parliament, according to Helsingin Sanomat. Soini, who calls himself a devout Catholic, will be remembered as a conservative populist politician who led the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* to national prominence by capitalizing on populist anti-immigration sentiment.
Finland’s integration program discriminates and offers fairy tale views of our society
If there is one matter that the sexual assault cases of Oulu have exposed in the raw is a false expectation about migrants. If we listen to the media, police and politicians, migrants cannot commit crimes because Finns rarely do if ever break the law. White Finns are model humans, asylum seekers are not.
Ulos Suomesta miesten raiskaustaipumus!
Kokoomuslainen sisäministeri on tänään järjestänyt tiedotustilaisuuden, jossa kerrotaan, kuinka seksuaalirikoksia ja maahanmuuttoa aletaan tomerasti käsitellä, jos Kokoomus on vaalien jälkeen hallituksessa. Maahanmuutto ja seksuaalirikokset kun ovat itse asiassa ihan sama asia. Rajat auki ja seksuaalirikollinen puikahtaa sisään. Kokoomuksen, Keskustan ja muuntopersujen ehdotukset ovat kuitenkin täysin vaillinaisia ja Jussi Halla-ahonkin mielestä vain yritys näin vaalien alla
Ku Klux Klan in the US, Perussuomalaiset in Finland
The editorial below by the Alabama-based Democrat-Reporter, calling on the Ku Klux Klan “to ride again” and lynch Democrats, was not published in the last century but in 2019. This editorial is a good example that the United States is a racist country and has done too little to eradicate this social ill.
Finland’s elederly care scandal is a symptom of a wider problem: lack of regulation
The scandal facing elderly care homes under the management of stock-owned companies such as Atendo, Eperi Care and Mehiläinen points to one issue: Lack of effective regulation. How can, for example, Filipino employees at these establishments be exploited? The answer: Lack of effective regulation.
The PS is a far-right, populist party that hopes to strike election gold with the sexual assault cases of Oulu by migrants
Imagine a political party that jumps for joy when migrants are suspected of sexual assault like in the case of Oulu. Imagine a party that taps into voters’ Islamophobia, xenophobia and hatred to get votes. Imagine a party that aims at relegating migrants and minorities to second-class members of society with the help of lies and fake news.
WARNING RACIST CONTENT: Helsingin Sanomat survey exposes the DNA of Finland’s racism
Helsingin Sanomat’s survey published on Monday after another questionable story on “model immigrants” was widely criticized on social media as outright racist. Even so, I would like to thank Finland’s largest daily for exposing the DNA of Finland’s racism and the continued low caliber of its journalism on topics related to asylum seekers and migrants.
What political capital will the Finnish far-right Perussuomalaiset party gain from Oulu?
The Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is the first modern Finnish party to capitalize politically on Finland’s Islamophobic and anti-immigration sentiment. With parliamentary elections around the corner on April 14, the question is if the PS will get a boost from the sexual assault cases of Oulu?
WARNING: ISLAMOPHOBIC CONTENT – Laura Huhtasaari (Suomen Uutiset)
Why is this Islamophobic? Perussuomalaiset* Vice President Laura Huhtasaari usually makes Islamophobic comments on steroids and other times without them. In the news story below, Huhtasaari, who is an avid follower of US President Donald Trump’s and Hungarian strongman Viktor Orbán’s anti-immigration policies, says that her party has the right solutions to migration and wants
Toiminta ilman rasismia ja rasismia vastaan ei ole demonisointia
Olen katsellut vähän kummissani oppositiopuolueiden reaktioita yksinkertaiseen kysymykseen: ”Oletteko valmiita yhteistyöhön perussuomalaisten kanssa.” Ei ole perussuomalaisten demonisointia, jos sanotaan, että puolueen ohjelma sekä esiintyminen eduskunnassa ja mediassa ovat olleet selkeän rasistisia, muukalaispelkoisia, syrjiviä ja kansanryhmää vastaan kiihottavia. On osattava sanoa selvästi, haluaako vai eikö oma puolue tehdä yhteistyötä tällaisen puolueen kanssa. On myös uskallettava sanoa
Uudet kansalaiset ovat positiivinen asia – onko Kokoomus samaa mieltä?
Viime viikolla uutisoitiin Britannian poliisin pidättäneen Suomen kansalaisen epäiltynä terroriteon valmistelusta. Perussuomalaisten euroedustaja Jussi Halla-aho kiirehti seuraavana päivänä julkaisemaan puolueen nettijulkaisussa ajatuksiaan liian löysästä Suomen kansalaisuuden myöntämisestä. Juttu sidotaan samana päivänä julkaistuihin tilastotietoihin, mutta sisältö ja lopputägäykset osoittavat, mihin rasistinen propaganda on tähdätty. ”Suomen passilla tekemään terroritekoja” ”Suomen passi on matkustusasiakirjana arvokas. Suomalaiset voivat matkustaa
Länsi-Savo: Muistaako Kaj Turunen, mitä mieltä oli aikaisemmin?
Kaj Turusen kirjoitus (L-S 8.5.) herätti paljon kysymyksiä toisen kauden kansanedustajasta, joka on loikannut kaksi kertaa vuoden sisällä. Ensin perussuomalaisista, jossa hän on ollut jäsen monta vuotta, ja nyt sinisestä tulevaisuudesta kokoomukseen. Turusen mukaan puheenjohtaja Jussi Halla-aho, joka sai vuonna 2012 tuomion kiihottamisesta kansanryhmää vastaan ja uskonrauhan rikkomisesta, on syy hänen lähtöönsä perussuomalaisista. Turunen sanoo,
After the Perussuomalaiset-Blue Reform, the National Coalition Party is the most anti-immigration party in the Finnish parliament
If you ask anyone in Finland which party thrives on anti-immigration sentiment and bigotry, the answer is simple: Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and Blue Reform. The difference between these two is that the former is a racist party that came out of the closet and the latter one which went back to the closet. Here’s the question:
Mitä Googlen hakusanat kertovat presidenttiehdokkaasta?
Huomasin, että lähes päivittäin joku kirjoittaa Googleen hakusanat ”laura huhtasaari tissit” ja ohjautuu blogiini lukemaan tätä kirjoitustani: https://reijaharkonen.com/2016/11/09/persun-takana-on-tissivakonainen/, joka kertoo perussuomalaisen naisen arkkityypeistä ja toisaalta naisen asemasta perussuomalaisissa. Pelkkä Huhtasaari-haku saattaa johdattaa muihinkin häntä käsitteleviin kirjoituksiini. https://reijaharkonen.com/tag/laura-huhtasaari/ Tuo hakuteksti sai miettimään, kumpaako se enemmän kuvaa, Laura Huhtasaarta vaiko hänen kannattajiaan. Kuinka moni äänestää Lauraa ulkonäön
Reija Härkönen: Persu on persu, vaikka siniseksi maalattaisiin
Puolue nimeltä Sininen tulevaisuus on kovasti median huomion kohteena. Siksikö, että se on arvoiltaan ja ohjelmaltaan sellainen, että media kovin sitä kunnioittaa?
Finland’s Perussuomalaiset party and its disdain for #metoo and our institutions
What do you do if an Islamophobic MP called Teuvo Hakkarainen gets so drunk in parliament that he picks a fight with other MPs from the rival Blue Reform party by throwing bottles at their meeting? What about if that same MP, convicted for hate speech, grabs a fellow woman MP and forces her to kiss him?
Kenellä tässä maassa on ”pahat mielessä”?
Meillä on Suomessa poliittinen joukkio, jonka toiminta perustuu syvään vihaan muita ihmisiä kohtaan. Erikseen mainittuja vihan kohteita ovat pakolaiset, turvapaikanhakijat, paperittomat, seksuaalivähemmistöt, naiset, somalit, juutalaiset, arabit, afrikkalaiset, ruotsinkieliset, romanit, saamelaiset, susien suojelijat, kehitysmaalaiset sekä muut poliittiset puolueet ja ryhmittymät.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Ignite #metooracism campaign
It’s encouraging to see how people in power are coming down in flames for sexual harassment. Wouldn’t it be great if we could apply sexual harassment to racist harassment and spark a similar movement? Silence and inaction are the reasons why sexual harassment happens with near-impunity. It’s the same story why racism continues to occur on
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Defecting from a single-issue party like the PS of Finland
Pekka Sinisalo defects from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* to the Blue Reform party because, under Jussi Halla-aho, it is a single-issue party. Before the PS imploded in June, it was a supposedly a 1.5-issue party. The Finnish media forgets that the PS is the only party in modern Finnish history that decided to target and capitalize on Islamophobia
Groups like Suomalaisuuden liitto were responsible for whitewashing and killing diversity in Finland
If there is an association in this country that is guilty of white washing and killing cultural diversity, one of them is Suomalaisuuden liitto or the Association of Finnish Culture and Identity.
Reija Härkönen: Kun arvot vaihtuvat, poliittinen eläin siivoaa pesänsä ja jättää kaverinsa
”On naiivia kuvitella, että hyvin erilaisesta kulttuurista tuleva henkilö rajan ylitettyään omaksuu suomalaisen yhteiskunnan arvot ja käytöskoodin. Suomalainen maan tapa ei ole kaikkien mielestä maailman paras. Joku toinen pitää irakilaista, venäläistä tai kiinalaista tapaa kaikkein parhaana.”
Tigthening immigration and asylum policy is putting a noose around our Nordic values
After tightening family reunification laws last year, Center Party parliamentary group leader MP Antti Kaikkonen believes that the government has gone too far in tightening immigration policy, according to Lahti-based daily Etelä-Suomen Sanomat. The Center Party believes that the 2,600-euro/month salary requirement to bring your spouse and two children should be changed.
Hallittua pelottelua hallitsemattomalla maahanmuutolla
Monen mielestä hallitsematon maahanmuutto alkoi vietnamilaisten venepakolaisten saapuessa 1970 luvun lopussa. Vielä enemmän säikähdettiin, kun ensimmäiset somalipakolaiset tulivat v. 1990. Hallitsematon maahanmuutto lisääntyi nopeasti 2000-luvulla. Päivittäiseksi ongelmaksi asia nousi Jussi Halla-ahon myötä n. vuodesta 2006 lähtien. Vuonna 2008 hallitsematon maahanmuutto oli jo täysin sekoittanut Helsingin asuntomarkkinat. Jytkyvaalit 2011 olivat jo mennä täysin persujen piikkiin. Lupaavat
Finland’s government to tighten again immigration and asylum policy
The desperation New Alternative* or Blue Reform, the faction that split from the Perussuomalaiset (PS) to keep their jobs as ministers, must be huge. Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sports Sampo Terho announced Thursday that the government plans to tighten immigration and asylum policy laws in the face of the Turku attack, according to YLE News.
Pari kysymnystä Yleisradiolle
Poliisi epäilee eduskunnan hallintovaliokunnan puheenjohtajana toimivaa perussuomalaisten kansanedustajaa Juho Eerolaa kiihottamisesta kansanryhmää vastaan. Yleisradion toimittaja haastatteli Jussi Halla-ahoa, joka itse on saanut tuomion uskonrauhan rikkomisesta ja kiihottamisesta kansanryhmää vastaan. Miksi samasta rikoksesta tuomittu on nyt pätevä puolustamaan toista rikosepäiltyä?! Samalla logiikalla nyt voitaisiin haastatella raiskauksesta tuomittu selittämään miksi kaverinsa rikosepäily on väärin! Missä on kunnioitus
Finland believes tighter laws will protect the country from terrorism but the real enemy is fear and opportunism
The knee-jerk reaction of politicians after the tragedy that took place in Turku on Friday not only smells of populism but of opportunism. What have we heard from them since last week?
Introducing presidential hopeful Laura Huhtasaari, the Islamophobe with the kindergarten teacher smile
The far-right anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party announced Friday that their first vice president, Laura Huhtasaari, is their candidate for the 2018 presidential elections. The announcement didn’t surprise anyone but it did raise a lot of media and social media interest.
Disingenuous Timo Soini should take a long look in the mirror
If there is a power-hungry politician who will do almost anything to gain power and lose it in an instant, that politician is Timo Soini. Apart from being a disingenuous politician who saw his populist creation inflate and implode, he is a sore loser as well. In an interview in Tampere-based daily Aamulehti, he claims
Just call them the New Perussuomalaiset and Old Perussuomalaiset
As politicians like MP Simon Elo try to assure us of their questionable political credentials after he and nineteen others ditched the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party on June 13, the new party’s name, which has changed three times in less than two months, is nothing more than a snow job.
Defining white Finnish privilege #36: Hate speech and censorship
Let’s be honest and expose one of the biggest lies concerning hate speech and censorship that always pops up at interviews like the one Thursday MTV with (the old) Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party secretary Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo and the editor of the party’s magazine, Matias Turkkila.
Finnish Police Board clears police of ethnic profiling…Really?!
The Police Board in Finland has cleared the police of ethnic profiling while monitoring migrants, according to YLE News. In a racialized country like Finland should we be surprised by the Police Board findings?
The old and new Perussuomalaiset: Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right…
After the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party imploded on June 13 into two factions, there’s been a lot of finger-pointing from members of the old and new PS. This is nothing new coming from a party that has a long track record in scapegoating migrants and minorities.
“Tolerant” Minister Lindström and his aide planned to slash funding to integration programs in Finland
Blue Reform* (formerly Perussuomalaiset) Minister of Labor Jari Lindström’s special aide Sakari Puisto aimed to slash financial aid to migrant associations by 348,000 euros from 750,000 euros, reports Helsingin Sanomat. A ministry official was “shocked” when he heard such plans by Puisto in January.
Old or new Perussuomalaiset or new or old Perussuomlaiset – it’s a new Cadillac model!
We saw on Tuesday quite a political show in Finland with 22 MPs ditching the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and forming a new party called for now New Alternative. But don’t hold your breath because nothing has changed it’s just a marketing of the same thing – right-wing populist nationalism and all the toxicity that goes with it.
Nuiva manifesto – now you see it, now you don’t! We won’t, however, forget
The Nuiva manifesto is a far right proposal on how to tighten immigration policy and make life more difficult for migrants and minorities in Finland. Those who signed the manifesto in 2010, all in all 13 people, cannot be found anymore on the net.
Is there such a thing as a “new” and “old” Perussuomalaiset party?
Is there such a thing as a “new” and “old” Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party? If you ask Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and Minister Petteri Orpo there is. But if you are a migrant, asylum seeker or minority in Finland, it’s doubtful that you would make such a difference.
Even if politics makes strange bedfellows, Timo Soini’s bed partners are eerie
Remember the speech below when Timo Soini and the Perussuomalaisiet were riding the crest of a wave after his populist anti-immigration won the parliamentary elections of 2011, when it saw its MPs rise to 39 from 5 in the previous election?
Finland’s blind spot of bigotry and white privilege is the Perussuomalaiset
If there is one party that has brought out bigotry, racism and populist far-right ideology as of late it is the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*. But Finland is so much in denial about its bigotry and white privilege that it sees no harm in the PS. This means that the government will do little, except offer lip service on how to challenge social ills like racism.
The old and new Cadillac model of Finnish PS racism
If you want to see how racism in Finland is like a Cadillac, check out two Perussuomalaiset (PS)* politicians below. One is of a dying breed and another one of a new Cadillac model, Sampo Terho.
Päivi Nerg is “really offended” by the Evangelical Church of Finland’s stance and activism against deportations
Permanent secretary of the interior ministry, Päivi Nerg, was quoted as saying in Verkkouutiset that she is “really offended” at the Evangelical Church of Finland for mixing and questioning the the country’s harsh asylum policy.
Nativist nationalist anti-cultural diversity politician Sampo Terho named as Finland’s minister of culture, sport and European affairs
What kind of message does the appointment of Perussuomalaiset (PS)* parliamentary group leader Sampo Terho to minster of culture, sport and European issues send? Does it strengthen our Nordic welfare state values or does it drive a wedge between us? We are naming a person who is hostile to cultural diversity and sees the EU as a threat as minister.
PS MP Ville Tavio: An Islamophobe that is bent on keeping white Finnish power and privilege at any cost and lie
When publishing anti-immigration rhetoric by politicians like Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Ville Tavio, it’s very important to lead with the following paragraph: “MP Talk gives members of parliament the opportunity to share their views on Finnish society with an international audience. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Helsinki Times.”
Finnish municipal elections: Greens make big gains, Perussuomalaiset are the biggest losers
The result of Sunday’s municipal elections were especially good news especially for migrants and minorities, who have been a target of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party chiefly after the parliamentary elections of 2011, when it won 39 seats (19.05%) from 5 MPs (4.05%) in the previous elections.
Finland’s blind spot of racism will persist for as long as we play dead and tango with it
National Coalition Party (NCP) Interior Minister Paula Risikko is a pretty questionable politician. She is deplorable for a number of reasons: spreads suspicion of asylum seekers and migrants and doesn’t care to distinguish what is a far-right anti-immigration group like Suomi Ensin (Finland First).
The cheap journalism of Helsingin Uutiset and its editor’s long roots in the anti-immigration movement of Finland
Two of the worst complimentary publications in the Helsinki and Greater Helsinki area Helsingin Uutiset and Vantaan Sanomat. Since they don’t charge people to read their publications they depend heavily on advertising revenues. The way that they get such revenues and readers is by spreading xenophobia and suspicion of migrants and minorities.
The two extremes claim by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and the government is nothing more than an Okie from Muskogee
Ever since Finnish President Sauli Niinistö characterized the ongoing debate on migrants, migration, asylum seekers and minorities as a debate between two extremes, the big question is who is the other extreme?
Timo Soini and the denial of Finland’s racism problem
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairman Timo Soini announced after being at the helm of the anti-immigration party for twenty years that he’ll step down as chairman in June. The narrative and the way that some newspapers and politicians are picturing Soini is a good example of Finland’s denial of racism.
The final countdown of the PS’ return to the political minor leagues begins as Timo Soini bows out as chairman in June
Right-wing populist Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairman, Timo Soini, announced Sunday that he wouldn’t seek a new term as party head at the forthcoming party convention in Jyväskylä in early June. He has head the party since 1997.
How racism and suspicion have ruined Finland’s centenary celebrations of 2017
If there is a party pooper in this year’s centenary celebrations it’ll be ourselves: the politicians, the urban tales, prejudices, racism and suspicion that has raised its head with ease in Finland as of late.
Finns have finally woken up to a lie and bully called the Perussuomalaiset party
After bullying, labeling and scapegoating migrants and minorities for a number of years, the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* appear to be returning to the minor one-digit political leagues, if a recent poll by Helsingin Sanomat is true. Those groups that the PS spread lies about will have the last laugh.
Susannah: Kaksien kärryjen politiikkaa taas.
Olen ollut kiireinen, anteeksi, kiitos ja nyt tulee: Katsoin eilen ma 30.1.2017 A-studiota sieltä ykköseltä uutisten jälkeen.
Rehellisyys perus-Suomen perii
Nyt kun ehdokkaita eri tehtäviin perussuomalaisen puolueen organisaatiossa pikkuhiljaa ilmoittautuu, on tarkasteltava vähän tarkemmin porilaista naista, joka on julistanut Jussi Halla-ahon parhaaksi puheenjohtajaehdokkaaksi ja tyrkyttää itseään varapuheenjohtajaksi. Molempien eväissä kun on paljonkin ihmettelemistä. Kansanedustaja Laura Huhtasaari herätti jo kauan sitten huomiotani kirjoitelmillaan Uuden Suomen Puheenvuorossa. Jokainen vähän pidempi teelmä kun koostui oudoista, yhteensopimattomista kappaleista, jotka
Rehellisyyden ja oikeudenmukaisuuden nimessä
”Perussuomalaisten toiminnan perustana ovat rehellisyys, oikeudenmukaisuus, inhimillisyys, tasa-arvo, työn ja yrittämisen kunnioittaminen sekä henkinen kasvu.” Näin perussuomalaiset kertovat heidän arvomaailmastaan. Tänään on vaikea uskoa, että perussuomalaiset ovat rehellisiä. Teuvo Hakkaraisen avustaja Antti Kauronen kertoi oikeudessa, ettei Hakkarainen halua puhua ja, että hän pyysi, että syyte hylätään. ”Kaurosen mukaan Hakkarainen ei ole menetellyt tahallisesti eikä ole
Disingenuous Islamophobes like speaker of parliament Maria Lohela want you and I to forget where they came from
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, who has gone from one scandal to the next, got booed by a large crowd in Helsinki. Perussuomalaiset (PS)* speaker of parliament, Maria Lohela, who has built her political career by spreading Islamophobic rhetoric, claims on her Facebook page that the Finns have lost touch with their good habits by booing the prime minister.
Terroristien palveluksessa!
Heräsimme taas kauheaan uutiseen Berliinin joulumarkkinoilla tapahtuneesta hirmuteosta. 12 ihmistä kuoli ja 48 loukkaantui. Saksan poliisi antaa muutaman tunnin kuluttua lisää tietoa. Olisi teko terroristin tai terroristien tekemä tai ei, ei sitä pysty mitenkään hyväksymään tai siitä ei mielestäni pitäisi tehdä pilaa tai yrittää kerätä irtopisteitä tulevia vaaleja varten Valitettavasti näin on kuitenkin tehnyt perussuomalainen
Finland, asylum seekers and the media: Moral cowardice and passing the buck
Migrant Tales has written a lot about how the Finnish media writes about migrants, asylum seekers, and our ever-growing culturally diverse society. One of the biggest, if not the biggest, problem of the Finnish media, when it writes about migrants and minorities, is that it gives white Finland the benefit of the doubt. We shouldn’t be
Perussuomalaiset speaker of parliament Maria Lohela is a disingenuous Islamophobe
I couldn’t believe what Perussuomalaiset (PS)* speaker of parliament, Maria Lohela, quoted today at a flag-raising ceremony in Helsinki commemorating independence day. Apart from being an MP, Lohela is an Islamophobe, she has a track record against gay and immigrant rights.
Reija Härkönen: Persun takana on tissivakonainen
Kun naisen valinta USA:n presidentiksi nyt on tullut estetyksi, ei voi olla miettimättä naisvihaa, joka myös meillä aika voimakkaasti leimaa konservatiivisia, äärioikeistolaisia ja rasistisia piirejä. Perussuomalainen sovinisti, Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, tokaisi joskus Suomen Kuvalehden haastattelussa: “Jos miehillä on munat, meillä on koko sarja” korostaakseen naisten pätevyyttä poliittisessa elämässä. Hän oli kuitenkin sitä mieltä, että Suomen naisissa
Council of Europe wants Finland to step up efforts to combat hate speech and xenophobia
The Finnish government needs to take steps to combat hate speech, protect Samí rights and the Swedish language, according to the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
PS’ Terhi Kiemunki is charged with ethnic agitation – how many more will be charged of the Perussuomalaiset party?
Perussuomalaiset* chairman of Tampere, Terhi Kiemunki, will be charged for ethnic agitation, according to Tampere-based daily Aamulehti. Kiemunki achieved national notoriety this year when she published on Facebook that it was unfortunate that she didn’t have any condoms to give Muslim children trick-or-treating in April.
Yksi asia kerrallaan
Tämän kirjoituksen otsikko voisi olla “En ole perussuomalainen, mutta…” Erehdyin lukemaan Iltasanoman päätoimittaja Ulla Appelsinin kirjoitus. Pääset helpommalla lukemalla Timo Soinin blogi ja Jussi Halla-Ahon Facebookin päivitykset. He pystyivät muutamilla lauseilla tiivistämän samaa mitä nyt Appelsin kirjoitti. Ulla Appelsinin kirjoitus on siis pitkä ja hän teki kovasti työtä yrittämällä jäsentää tekstinsä asiallisesti. Kyllä Appelsinin kirjoitus on
PS MP Teuvo Hakkarainen may face prosecution for ethnic agitation
There’s a strong chance that Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Teuvo Hakkarainen may face prosecution for ethnic agitation, according to YLE. The matter will be decided by the general prosecutor’s office after a police investigation.
Reija Härkönen: Timo Soinin uusfasistiset kytkennät
Reija Härkönen Timo Soinin ja perussuomalaisen puolueen äärioikeistokytkennät ovat ilmiselviä. Hän on ottanut puolueensa jäseniksi ja kansanedustajaehdokkaiksi äärioikeistolaisia ja julkirasistisella agendalla toimivia henkilöitä. Soini on nostanut perussuomalaisten puoluelehtien päätoimittajaksi äärioikeistolaisen Matias Turkkilan, Jussi Halla-ahon vaalipäällikön ja Hommaforumin perustajan. Soini on joskus jopa puoluekokouksessa kehaissut Hommaforumia malliesimerkkinä hyvästä poliittisesta toiminnasta. Kurkistetaanpa Hommaforumin etusivulle tänään 22.9.2016. Niin
Suomen ilmapiirin parantamiseksi tarvitaan järjestäytyneestä rasismista luopumista
Väkivaltaisten rasististen ja fasististen järjestöjen lakkauttamisesta on vihdoinkin alettu keskustella. SVL:n (Suomen Vastarintaliikkeen) toiminta on selkeästi lainvastaista ja on siis kiellettävä. Mutta on todettava, että se ei pysäytä rasismin ja väkivallan etenemistä Suomessa. Se ei pysähdy ennen kuin meillä on hallitus, joka ei salli tai jopa suosi rasismia ja väkivaltaa. Kaikenlaiselle rasistiselle toiminnalle Suomessa on
The Finnish media’s “fascination” of racists is a problem
Here’s a simple question: Why on earth does a newspaper like Etelä-Suomen Sanomat of Lahti even bother to publish a story about a handful of racists who demand that Finland shuts its borders to asylum seekers?
Finance Minister Petteri Orpo and his disingenuous statements about racism and bigotry
National Coalition Party (NCP) chairman and Finance Minister Petteri Orpo was quoted as saying on YLE News that he won’t tolerate racist speech. The comment comes after two Perussuomalaiset (PS)* politicians, MP Teuvo Hakkarainen and PS youth leader Sebastian Tynkkynen, are being investigated by the police service for ethnic agitation.
The Perussuomalaiset is an extremist party that is unfit to rule Finland
There’s overwhelming evidence that the populist anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is an extremist party especially when it comes to its views on immigration and cultural diversity. But here’s a question to the Finnish media: If the PS is an extremist party why aren’t they called that?
How fair is the Finnish media when it reports about racism and bigotry?
What role has the media played in spreading racism and bigotry in Finland since the 1990s? If it has played a big role, has its reporting improved or got worse? The narrative of the media, and that of politicians concerning our ever-growing culturally diverse society, has changed but it still has a lot of room
The role of the Finnish media and politicians who spread their racist statements
The Perussuomalaiset (PS)* is a horrible party for migrants and minorities. They have the dubious “honor” of being the first modern party in Finland to capitalize on voters’ racism and bigoted views. Certainly they couldn’t have done it alone. All the major parties have the same type of politicians who state and write the same type of things.
An official apology for the racist and bigoted things politicians say and write today in Finland
What do politicians like Timo Soini, Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, James Hirvisaari, Jussi Halla-aho, Juho Eerola, Olli Immonen, Jussi Niinistö, Maria Lohela, Tom Packalén, Olli Sademies, Freddy Van Wonterghem, Pentti Oinonen, Laura Huhtasaari, Terhi Kiemunki and many, many others have in common? They write a lot of racist and bigotted stuff. They are as well all or
The face of fascism in Finland: Before and after
There is a fascinating book published by Olli Silvennoinen, Marko Tikka and Aapo Romelius titled Suomalaiset fasistit (Finnish fascists). One of the authors, Silvennoinen, states in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat that the same arguments used in the 1920s to feed fascism are used today.
Vigilante gangs, the Finnish police service and our denial of racism
The big news story in Finland today is street patrols by xenophobic, far-right and neo-Nazi groups. That’s not all. Some of the members of these patrol gangs have criminal records.
Twitter: White Finnish rapist or arsonist = lone wolf, drunk
In Finland, we have had a number of arson attacks against asylum reception centers. We even have one substitute MP of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* who said that “god had answered his prayers” when a building, which was supposed to house asylum seekers, was razed to the ground earlier this month.
Terrorism ironically exposes the lies of Islamophobic politicians and parties
The closer terrorist acts hit us like the tragedy that befell Paris on Friday, the fewer the arguments nationalist-populist groups have to defend their xenophobia. Most of these types of politicians in Finland prefer to hang low after the terror attacks.
YLE A-studio: The PS reveals its anti-democratic credentials and loathing of press freedom
Watching Thursday’s A-Studio talk show gave a very disturbing picture of what the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* think about democracy and the role of the media in society. Researcher Markku Jokisipilä exposed with a diplomatic statement what is wrong with Finland when debating our ever-growing culturally and ethnically diverse society.
Onko puolueiden allekirjoituksilla merkitystä?
Kun Suomen eduskuntapuolueet 14.10.2015 allekirjoittivat uudelleen edellisen kerran v. 2011 allekirjoitetun eurooppalaisten poliittisten puolueiden yhteisen rasisminvastaisen peruskirjan, eduskunnassa kuultiin kahdenlaista keskustelua. Kuultiin Nasima Razmyarin erinomainen keskustelunavaus sekä Petteri Orvon, Ozan Yanarin ja eräiden muiden kansanedustajien hyvät kannanotot. Mutta kuultiin myös omituisia heittoja siitä, että pitäisi määritellä, mitä se rasismi oikein on. Joku piti perussuomalaisten puoluetoimistoon
Why are racists in Finland racists?
It’s clear that racism derives also from low self-esteem apart from being a sinister tool to exclude other groups from gaining access to political, social and economic capital. Ever thought why those who are vocal about their racist views are such an active group? The answer is simple: In order to climb up a few miserable
The Finnish Ku Klux Klan impersonator was really Timo Soini’s and the Perussuomalaiset’s ogre
When racism lifts its head in Finland Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairman and foreign minister, Timo Soini, usually gives us a lesson in denial: “We’re not racists.”
Ku Kluk Klanin -pukeutunut suomalainen oli Timo Soinin ja perussuomalaisten hirviö
Kun rasismi nostaa päätä Suomessa niin Perussuomalaisten puheenjohtaja ja ulkoministeri Timo Soini opastaa niin kuin aina: – Emme ole rasistisia.
The Finnish government’s wishy-washy and surreal stand on racism
The leadership of Center Party Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, Finance Minister Alexsander Stubb of the National Coalition Party never mind Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Foreign Minister Timo Soini is disgraceful and will go down as one of the low points in Finland’s history.
Maa kaipaa asiajohtajia, ei rasistijoukkioiden hyysääjiä
Valtiovarainministeri Alexander Stubb ilmeisesti luuli osoittavansa eilen henkistä johtajuutta sanomalla eduskunnan kyselytunnilla, että hyökätkää te muutosvastarintaa tuntevat ihan rauhassa pakolaisia vastaan, olette hallituksen suojeluksessa. Ovathan he hyökänneet ja kyllähän he hyökkäävät: jo heti seuraavana yönä Lahdessa oli käytössä peräti Ku Klux Klanin asu. Viesti ei jäänyt kenellekään epäselväksi. Samalla lausumalla valtiovarainministeri antoi siunauksensa kaikelle sille
Far right Olli Immonen is a thankless MP to the PS and Timo Soini
Some politicians, like Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Olli Immonen live in a bubble inflated by their rhetoric and delusions. We got a taste of his hateful ideology in July, when he declared war on “the nightmare of multiculturalism” and how he vowed that “his fighters” will “fight until the end for our homeland.”
The PS of Finland: Can you teach a bigot new tricks?
When the national media gave the racist narrative of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* the benefit of the doubt, Migrant Tales never did and never will.
Dear little boy washed ashore…
In May we learned about a Dear little girl at sea who was kind enough to look the other way as she floated lifelessly in Mediterranean waters.
Thank you Timo Soini and Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo for showing us (again) how big of a social ill racism is in Finland
Imagine how a political party like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* can destroy with their xenophobic and populist sound bites not only the credibility of a government that’s planning to slash billions of euros but the good name of this country abroad.
Reija Härkönen: Vyöryjen vyöry, mutta onko se mutaa vai ihmisiä?
Reija Härkönen Mutavyöry on termi, joka on toistunut Hommaforumilla ja muilla rasistisilla keskustelupalstoilla. Sillä tarkoitetaan Suomeen saapuvia afrikkalais- tai arabipakolaisia. Mutavyöry tulee ja peittää maan. Surkean kohtalon kokeneiden ihmisten hätä koitetaan peittää ja pelotella valkoisia, puhtaita suomalaisia. ”Hallitsemattomat pakolaisvirrat” vyöryivät Jussi Halla-ahon näppäimistöllä jo vuonna 2009 Suomen äidit jatkavat vyöryn tarkkailua vuonna 2010 Nyt elokuussa
Perussuomalaiset label fleeing refugees to Europe as economic migrants and welfare shoppers
PS party secretary Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo said today on Suomen Uutiset, a PS publication, that four out of five people that flee to Europe from Northern Africa and the Middle East aren’t refugees but economic migrants and welfare shoppers.
A nightmare called the Perussuomalaiset
The populist anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS) held over the weekend their party conference in Turku. There were two matters that summarize the conference: the party’s hostility towards migrants and the media.
Finland’s Rosa Parks moment and crossing the line
For those of us who have been anti-racism activists for many years, Tuesday, July 28, offered us something we hadn’t seen before in Finland: A spontaneous 15,000-20.000-strong demonstration against racism and fascism in Helsinki. Was that very important demonstration a Rosa Parks moment and an important watershed to make Finland a more inclusive country?
Reija Härkönen: Perussuomalaisen dialogin ainekset
Reija Härkönen Perussuomalaiset vaativat dialogia, media vaatii dialogia perussuomalaisten kanssa, hyvät ihmiset kirjoittavat blogikirjoituksia ja vaativat arvostelun sijaan dialogia. Näin on tehty jo vuosia ja etenkin vuoden 2011 vaaleista lähtien, kun persujen sisällä lymyävä rasismi ja uusfasismi alkoi tulla voimakkaammin esiin ja valveutuneet kansalaiset alkoivat puuttua siihen. Mitä se dialogi sitten on? Perussuomalaiset vaativat –
Eva Biaudet: Finland’s ever-culturally and ethnically diverse society in the new century (Part II)
Swedish People’s Party (SPP) MP Eva Biaudet strongly believes that the blueprint to create a just and equal society for everyone in Finland hinges on Nordic and EU values.
Unfriend those Facebook friends that are openly racist, homophobic and sexist
There’s one matter that continues to baffle me about Finnish politics: How xenophobic and Islamophobic politicians are Facebook “friends” with people who claim to champion cultural diversity and anti-racism. If we look at the US Civil Rights Movement (1955-68), there’s one important lesson: Don’t flirt with those that want to keep in in the chains of bigotry.
Is PS MP Laura Huhtasaari an Islamophobe?
Jay Smooth offers some valuable advice when dealing with racism. He divides the plan of action into two strategies: the what they did conversation and what they are conversation.
PS MP Huhtasaari gets fingers burned after Helsingin Sanomat uncovers her membership in a racist Facebook site
Laura Huhtasaari of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party finds herself in hot water after Finland’s largest daily Helsingin Sanomat did some investigative journalism about the MP’s connection to an open racist Facebook site that has pictures of black children eating watermelon in a pail that reads another “bucket of shit.”
Reija Härkönen: Suomen pojat, muistakaa!
Suomen isät ja äidit, koittakaa nyt pitää tarkka huoli murrosikäisistä pojistanne ja heidän kasvustaan miehiksi. Kansanedustajien nettikeskusteluista päätellen toilailut tyttöjen kanssa, tyttöjen joukkohäirintä ja seksuaalinen ahdistelu eivät tästedes kenties johda pelkästään ehdottomaan vankeusrangaistukseen, vaan myös maastakarkoitukseen tai kansantuomioistuimen teloitukseen.
Koko Hubara: Sanaton
Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Cynthia Hurd, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lance, Daniel Simmons, DePayne Middleton-Doctor ja Susie Jackson. NAACP. Suomen rodullistetut ihmiset ja väkivaltaa kokeneet naiset.
UPDATE (June 10): Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism
Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism will be updated separately. To see other examples of opinionated journalism in Finland about cultural diversity, please go to this link. June 10 Suurlähetystö joutuu selittelemään Timo Soinia: “Ymmärretään usein väärin täällä Saksassa (Ilta-Sanomat) What’s wrong with this story? The headline offers us an answer to the latter question
Ana María Gutiérrez Sorainen: Maahanmuuttajanaiset patriarkaalisessa ympäristössä Suomessa
Ana María Gutiérrez Sorainen Monikanaiset-liitto Ry: n nettisivuilla sanotaan muun muuassa, että maahanmuuttajanaisten kotoutuminen on todettu erityisen vaikeaksi niissä maahanmuuttajaryhmissä, joissa lähtömaan tasa-arvotilanne poikkeaa huomattavasti vastaanottajamaan tilanteesta. Patriarkaalisissa yhteisöissä naisen paikan katsotaan olevan kotona. Hänellä ei siten ole samanlaisia mahdollisuuksia kouluttautua ja vaikuttaa yhteiskunnassa, ja häneltä puuttuu jopa mahdollisuus tehdä omaa elämää koskevia päätöksiä. Olen
New book on Somali community of Finland highlights what we’ve known for long: social hostility and blatant discrimination
A new book called Suomen somalit by Yusuf M. Mubarak, Eva Nilsson and Niklas Saxén reinforces what has been already known about Finland’s Somali community: racism and social exclusion appear to be the norm.
Finland’s attitude and experience of cultural diversity lag thirty years behind other European countries
Watching YLE’s A-studio, which was aired Wednesday, is a prime example why we are still far away in Finland of having an inclusive society that is fair to everyone irrespective of their background. Spotting the red herrings in the debate on such a talk show isn’t easy but not impossible. If National Coalition Party MP
An apology from a former Islamophobe
Kathrin Oetrel of Pegida, which stands for Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West, formally apologized for her role as spokeswoman in the far-right Islamophobic movement. When will Islamophobic and xenophobic politicians in countries like Finland apologize in the same manner as Pegida’s former spokeswoman? Don’t hold your breaths, however. There will be no
Facebook: Dear Little Girl at sea…
The picture below and the comment that follows on Facebook is dedicated to the all those anti-immigration parties and politicians throughout Europe. Since I live in Finland, I’ll dedicate this tragic picture of the girl to our most anti-immigration and anti-EU party in the country: the Perussuomalaiset (PS).*
Reija Härkönen: Nyt saa loppua persujen paijaus!
Reija Härkönen Enpä olisi uskonut tätä päivää näkeväni: varteenotettavat suomalaiset puolueet miettivät tosissaan, millä tavalla tekisivät hallitusyhteistyötä rasistipuolueen kanssa. Jos hallitukseen nousee rasistista, ihmisten yhtäläisen arvon kieltävää ohjelmaa ajava puolue, koko hallitus on silloin mukana edesauttamassa tuon puolueen agendaa, riippumatta siitä, millainen varsinainen hallitusohjelma on. Ruotsissa pidetään perussuomalaisten mahdollista hallitukseen ottoa historiallisena virheenä. Suomen media
Friday’s A-studio: Attack the weak and vulnerable in Finland because they can’t fight back
In many respects the success of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party in the last two parliamentary elections could be seen as a last cry against our ever-growing cultural diversity, which is a reality and will continue to grow in the future. Newly elected PS MP Laura Huhtasaari was one of the guests on Friday’s A-studio together with Green
Thursday’s A-studio: How the Finnish media and politicians paint immigrants with a single brush
I almost fell off my seat when I watched A-studio Thursday. Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Hanna Mäntylä justified the ongoing victimization and labeling of Finland’s small migrant community. She said this was fine because some white Finns are poor. “We have in effect people who live and are on the verge of suffering from hunger because
Finland elections send a worrisome message of petty provincialism, anti-immigration, anti-Islam and anti-Other
Of the top 12 anti-immigration candidates below, only one didn’t get reelected: National Coalition Party’s Pia Kauma (UPDATED) and James Hirvisaari of Muutos 2011. While this is a small consolation in the face of the success of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party on Sunday, the big question is if this populist anti-immigration party will form part of the
Finland goes to the polls Sunday – don’t vote for these anti-immigration candidates
Finland will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday. One of the interesting question marks is who will come in second or third place. One poll predicts the Center Party winning (no surprise) with the National Coalition Party (NCP) and Perussuomalaiset (PS)* coming in second and third, respectively. The Social Democrats are in fourth place. During the last
Migrant Tales Literary: Peep show
Leo Honka Folks! We’re not going to visit a traditional peep show with women or men but one where all your bigotry, hate, and racism undress before you. Social media peep show sites like Hommaforum* are such places. People visit them anonymously and get all excited by their lewd thoughts. They too undress but with
Tapanila sexual assault in Finland sends a disturbing signal about our society
Something terrible happened on Monday night after 9pm at the Tapanila train station of northern Helsinki. A group of 15-18-year-olds were reportedly harassing a young woman on a train, who was later sexually assaulted by the same suspects outside the station, according to Helsingin Sanomat. No respectable news organization or police force with integrity should
PS’ Timo Soini claims he’s “surprised” that not more immigrants want to move to Finland
Politicians sometimes say pretty incredible things. What do you think if the leader of Finland’s biggest anti-immigration party in parliament states that he’s surprised that not more immigrants move to Finland? And then the leader of this party, Timo Soini, puts the icing on the cake and is quoted on YLE in English as saying that Finland “is
Sending Finland to a retirement home
Parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and anti-immigration politicians like MEP Jussi Halla-aho should be thankful to migrants and multicultural Finns. Where would these anti-immigration populists be today without their near-constant attacks against our ever-growing culturally and ethnically diverse society? Source: theinspirationroom.com. While anti-immigration rhetoric has poisoned the air and made life difficult for
Reija Härkönen: Soinin sirkus ja Mestarin lista
Reija Härkönen Maahanmuuttajavastainen islamofoobikko, vaaliehdokas Jussi Halla-aho julkaisi vaalien 2011 alla listan ehdokkaista, jotka olisivat riittävästi ”aatteen” miehiä ja naisia ja joita sopisi äänestää siellä, missä häntä itseään ei, vaikka kuinka haluaisi, pääse äänestämään. Useat listatuista olivat äärikansallismielisen Suomen Sisu- järjestön ja/tai Hommaforumin jäseniä. Nyt on aika tarkastella sitä, ketä tuolta listalta silloin pääsi läpi,
The rise and fall of the Perussuomalaiset of Finland
As support for the Perussuomalaiset (PS)[1] wanes with parliamentary elections only a heartbeat away on April 19, we are seeing a very different party from four years ago. Back then, PS chairman Timo Soini was self-confident and campaigning confidently. He was the darling of the media, the new kid on the block, the underdog, the only
Timo Soini and the PS: “What goes around comes around”
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairman Timo Soini has good acting skills and a poor memory. At a press conference Thursday he told us about the death threats he’s received. I know how he feels because I too have received such death threats possibly from people inspired by the PS’ populist and hateful ideology. Even if I’ve lived in
UPDATE (Feb. 19): Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism
Migrant Tales’2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism will be updated separately. To see other examples of opinionated journalism in Finland about cultural diversity, please go to this link. Feb. 19 Soini: Perussuomalaiset ei “flirttaile” rasismin kanssa (Helsingin Sanomat) What’s wrong with this news story? The Finnish media has asked over and over again Perussuomalaiset (PS)[1]
UPDATE (Feb. 14): Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism
Migrant Tales’2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism will be updated separately. To see other examples of opinionated journalism in Finland about cultural diversity, please go to this link. Feb. 14 “Suomessa on jatkuva sadekausi” (Ilkka) What’s wrong with this news story? If one follows news about immigrants and cultural diversity in Finland on Uutiskynnys.fi, one
Abdirahim Husu Hussein: Timo Soini – Rasisti?
Abdirahim Husu Hussein Suomessa asuvana uussuomalaisena, muslimina, somalina, kepulaisena ja afrikkalaismiehenä joudun väkisinkin vastoin omaa tahtoani irtisanoutumaan uussuomalaisten tekemistä pahuuksista Suomessa, muslimitaustaisten rikollisien teoista maailmalla, somaliassa asuvien rikoksista Somaliassa ja Suomessa, kepulaisten tekemistä vääristä päätöksistä kepulandiassa ja mistä milloinkin. En tee näitä irtisanoutumisia omasta tahdostani, sillä en ole henkilönä sellaisessa asemassa että olisin sellaiseen velvoitettu.
Reija Härkönen: Perussuomalainen ulkomaalaistarkkailu ja vieraan pelko
Reija Härkönen Rasismi ja vieraan pelko ovat tunteita, joita moni joutuu kohtaamaan ja itsessäänkin käsittelemään. Vaarallisiksi ja inhottaviksi tuollaiset tunteet muuttuvat silloin, kun ne otetaan järjestelmälliseen päivittäiseen käsittelyyn ja pyritään lisäämään ja vahvistamaan niitä ja herättämään kateutta vähemmistöryhmiä kohtaan omien poliittisten tai muiden tavoitteiden saavuttamiseksi. Perussuomalaiset rp. on jo vuosia tehnyt tällaista järjestelmällistä työtä. Kyttääminen
Social media Frankensteins
Ever wondered how a wannabe becomes a social media hit by spreading hatred and racism? There are a lot of these types of politicians and characters around who with low budgets become famous and even get elected thanks to social media. They are called #SocialMediaFrankensteins. With the help of social media and many blind followers, some
Reija Härkönen: Vieläkö voi Suomen vaaleissa menestyä rasismilla ja vastakkainasettelulla?
Reija Härkönen Perussuomalaisille sana maahanmuuttopolitiikka tarkoittaa oman maan maahanmuuttajien jatkuvaa tarkkailua, juoruilua ja mustamaalausta. Yleensä mitään ratkaisevaa ei ilmene ja joudutaankin tyytymään ulkomaisiin kohu-uutisiin. Tom Packalénilla, perussuomalaisten poliisikansanedustajalla, oli viime syksynä kuitenkin onnenpäivät, kun itähelsinkiläiset syrjäytyneet lapset ja nuoret syyllistyivät törkeään katuväkivaltaan. Tuolloisen arveluttavan julkisen esiintymisen ja ”tiettyjen maahanmuuttajaryhmien” syyllistämisen jälkeen Packalén kutsuttiin Radio Helsinkiin
The PS is a Finnish populist party that bases its popularity on bashing migrants and minorities
Think about a party that starts to get nervous about its poll standings and then its most popular anti-immigration politician, who has made his career on spreading suspicion and intolerance of certain migrants, states: We mustn’t forget that we are an anti-immigration party. In order to reverse our poor standings in the polls, let’s make
Finland and the PS: The face of racism becomes uglier as it ages
The Perussuomalaiset (PS)* in general and specifically MPs like Juho Eerola, Olli Immonen and Teuvo Hakkarainen are, together with MEP Jussi Halla-aho, examples of the worst kind of extremism and racism we can find in Finland today in the halls of our parliament. They are permitted to spread their racist and bigoted views because they have
Are Bush’s Iraq War and Abu Ghraib torture to blame as well for the Charlie Hebdo attack?
When I reflect on what happened this week in Paris my thoughts drift to George W. Bush and his proclamation that the United States is on a crusade against terrorism. Juan Cole, an expert on Middle East politics, asks an important question on his blog: Having American troops occupy it [Baghdad] for 8 years, humiliate
European and Finnish politicians that opportunistically exploit the Charlie Hebdo attack
As the pieces settle and attempt to find their places after the Charlie Hebdo attack, it is surprising how not only anti-Islam and anti-immigration groups are taking political advantage of what happened but even those who you thought didn’t have such agendas. Another important expected narrative is what the media is telling us and what it’s
UPDATE (December 5): Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism
How does the Finnish media give politicians that spread xenophobia and racism inflated respectability and importance? How can they spread their prejudices and lies about immigrants and minorities without the help of the media? Migrant Tales will begin to collect stories from January 7 written by careless journalists that have been taken for a ride by such
Migrant Tales (September 14, 2013): The Finnish and European media still have a lot to learn about racism and intolerance
One matter that is interesting to note when looking at the media before the historic victory of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party in April 2011, is the present controversy surrounding the Youth League of the National Coalition Party’s program. Is the media giving racists, radical anti-immigration groups and voices inflated respectability and importance? The whole Susanna
Populist parties of Finland are a direct threat to our prosperity
A recent poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat reveals an important trend: How the National Coalition Party and the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* are in a semi-tailspin mode. The Center Party continues to strengthen its position as the most popular party among voters with the Social Democrats slowly but surely overpassing the National Coalition Party. Certainly this is an
Turning a blind eye to racism is feeding Finland to the dogs
Do you want the secret to tame dog, destroy anti-immigration parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and challenge the deep prejudices in other political parties and society? The answer is to bust wide open the urban tales that are living off the fat of our prejudices. Apart from being illegal, a social ill like racism is destroying
Perussuomalaiset hate campaign against foreigners is in full swing
I was asked this week what I think is one of the best ways to tackle racism in Finland. One of the best ways, I responded, is challenging urban tales spread by politicians, the media and public. It’s clear that the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party’s hostility against foreigners with the help of urban tales is
Who spreads hatred in Finland: YLE or the PS?
Attempting to gain the maximum political mileage from the act of vandalism against the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* office in Helsinki on Thursday, party secretary, Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, is pointing the finger at the “green-left alliance” (a favorite catchword that the party uses to describe its enemies) and YLE for comparing it to the anti-immigration far-right Sweden Democrats.
PS claims it has sacked all of its racists and fascists from the party (sic!)
Matti Putkonen said at a press conference Friday that comparing the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* to the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats was spreading hatred against the party. He went as far as to suggest that the attack against its office in Helsinki had something to do with such stories, reports tabloid Ilta-Sanomat. Putkonen, who was convicted for rape about
Finland’s parliamentary elections of April 2015 have begun
Even if parliamentary elections will take place on April 19, 2015, it’s clear that they’ve begun. Rumbles can be already heard from political parties such as the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, Muutos 2011 and the National Coalition Party, which are vying for media attention and voters. Who are they targeting? Who else but migrants and minorities. National Coalition Party
Kokoomus MP still points accusing finger at migrant women for buying new baby carriages
Even if parliamentary elections are in April, some politicians, like National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP and Espoo city councilwoman Pia Kauma, are openly attacking migrants. She’s the conservative politician who stated on Friday that migrants shouldn’t buy new baby carriages with welfare money. Kauma got an opportunity on Monday to present her case on YLE’s A-Studio.
Let the ballot boxes speak in 2015 and send the PS back to the minor political leagues
I’m certain that when historians and political observers study the present parliamentary term 2011-15, they will come to a conclusion: Never since the 1950s have our Nordic institutions and values come under such a threat. Who will they name as the culprit? Wrong, not the Perussuomalaiset (PS),* but our indifference and lack of leadership. How can
When racism goes viral in Finland
Sakari Timonen is one of the best anti-racism bloggers in Finland. He writes this time about a Marko Sihvonen, who made up a story on a Facebook post that a member of the Romany minority, one of the few that come here to ask for money on the streets, knifed a white Finnish girl and
How the Finnish media gives anti-immigration parties like the PS space, inflated respectability and importance
An article in Sunday’s Helsingin Sanomat about Perussuomalaiset (PS)* MP Mika Raatikainen, who will replace former PS MP Jussi Halla-aho’s after he was elected to the European parliament in May, reveals once again this country’s media fascination with racist double-talk and rhetoric that just don’t add up never mind make sense. If there is a culprit
Defining white Finnish privilege #5: It’s ok to be a racist
In many respects white privilege, or specifically white Finnish privilege, is a good way to understand some of the challenges that migrants and especially non-white Finns face in this country. Migrant Tales invites readers to share their thoughts on the social ill. Please send your comments on the topic to [email protected] We’d love to hear from you.
The PS of Finland makes its post-election debut in the European media with labels like “xenophobic,” “far right” and “MEPs with criminal records”
It has been quite a rough two weeks for the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party after the May 25 EU parliamentary elections: accusations of being far-right in the company of neo-Nazi parties like the Golden Dawn of Greece; and speculation by a senior Finnish official in the Financial Times that it was unlikely that the PS would
The political record and chicanery of the PS of Finland is what has estranged so many voters from politics
While some are still scratching their heads about the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* joining the European parliament’s European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group this week, it shows why so many voters have become estranged from politics. Read full story here. Before the historic 2011 parliamentary elections for the PS, when 39 of its MPs got elected
Financial Times: Finnish and Danish MEPs “with criminal records” join Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron’s group
While some speculated that the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and the Danish People’s Party (DPP), both with MEPs with criminal records, would be given the cold shoulder by UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, the opposite happened, writes the Financial Times. The two MEPs with criminal records are PS MEP Jussi Halla-aho
Migrant Tales insight on EU elections: Win some, lose some
As the political dust settles after the Euro elections last Sunday, can we claim like the media that the hard right made important gains? How did anti-EU, anti-immigration and especially anti-Islam parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* of Finland fare compared with the previous elections in 2009? Apart from the UKIP and National Front of France’s impressive
Huffington Post: The PS of Finland is one of the nine scariest parties elected to the European parliament
Is it surprising that The Huffington Post named the “True Finns,” or Perussuomalaiset (PS), in the same far-right league as the National Front of France, Danish People’s Party, Lega Nord, Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom and neo-Nazi Golden Dawn? Nigel Farage’s UKIP is not on the dubious list. Unfair? Not really if we look at PS
A racist cartoon by the PS, a Finnish anti-EU, anti-immigration, homophobic and especially anti-Islam party
Does the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party have issues with racism? Many will agree that they do starting from MPs like Jussi Halla-aho, who were sentenced for ethnic agitation, to city of Kemi councilman, Harri Turtiainen, who shamefully posted racist slogans of the Ku Klux Klan and US American Nazi party on his Facebook page. The intolerance
Anti-immigration Europe: The fruits you harvest depend on the seed you plant
In many respects, Europe looks like a region that is running scared with a notable part of its population seeking to support populist, anti-immigration and even neo-Nazi parties that offer no credible solutions to issues like rising unemployment, poverty and estrangement from our political institutions. If students from a small town in Eastern Finland did
Pew Research Center survey: Anti-immigration and anti-minority sentiment runs high before Euro elections
Pew Research Center, a Washington-based “fact tank,” reveals in a survey just before the European parliamentary elections on May 22-25 that anti-immigration and anti-minority sentiment runs in countries like Poland, Germany, France, UK, Spain, Italy and Greece. Euro MEP candidates like Jussi Halla-aho and Juho Eerola of the PS have used anti-immigration sentiment to attract
Finland is not a land of opportunity but a land of poverty for most migrants
According to Statistics Finland’s Working Paper series, Finland is no land of opportunity for migrants, writes Pekka Myrskylä. The Statistics Finland’s development manager claims that the employment level of Estonians and Thai citizens matches that of ethnic Finns. The majority of migrants live in poverty in Finland, according to him. If what Myrskyä writes
The high price of being too alike and not thinking outside the ethnic and national box
Some may correctly ask what is the price Finland pays today for its lack of cultural and ethnic diversity. Finding answers to this question would require some serious thinking outside our ethnic and national box. This question is an important one today for two reasons: Our population is seeing dramatic changes due to the graying of
Why do we consider Timo Soini to be “a good cop” if he brought all these “bad cops” to power?
Doesn’t Perussuomalaiset (PS) leader Timo Soini bear responsibility for giving people like Jussi Halla-aho, James Hirvisaari, Teuvo Hakkarainen, Olli Immonen and a very long list of others a platform to spread their hatred and intolerance? Why does the media let Soini get off the hook so easily? Is Soini the culprit for anti-immigration sentiment and
Lahtinen and the PS of Espoo don’t like the term racism
Perussuomalaiset (PS) Espoo city councilman, Teemu Lahtinen, said that the anti-immigration and anti-EU party would not vote for the city’s new multicultural program since it states that “Espoo residents don’t tolerate racism.” Lahtinen, who is a member and has been president of the far-right association Suomalaisuuden liitto, said he would like to replace the term
Timo Soini and the PS do it again: usual sound bites and no accountability
Perussuomalaiset (PS)* leader Timo Soini published this week a book about himself and the growth of the anti-EU, anti-immigration and anti-Islam party. In the book, Peruspomo, he candidly gives his opinion about the party, of some PS MPs and reveals some of his health issues. In a nutshell, Peruspomo gives us the same message, or lack of
What can the PS mutate to if the political conditions are right?
In order to understand what a party like the Perussuomalaiset (PS) are, look at how it rose to become Finland’s third-largest party in parliament in less than ten years. The growth of the anti-EU, anti-immigration and especially anti-Islam PS has been impressive to say the least, rising from 5 MPs in the 2007 parliamentary elections
How to tell someone they sound racist
Here’s a very good video clip with Jay Smooth that I found thanks to Racism Review that will help you challenge a person who makes a racist remark. The first and foremost thing you must do is stick to the that-sounded-racist conversation as opposed to they-are-racist conversation, according to Smooth. Read original blog entry here. The
So a PS councilman of Lieksa, Finland, wants a “Somali-free” room…
Roble Bashir We need a Somali-free meeting room today in the eastern Finnish town of Lieksa, according to a Perussuomalaiset (PS) councilman Esko Saastamoinen. Somali-free town tomorrow or Somali- free country after tomorrow? Why do they hate us so much? Illustration by Sebastian L. Jackson for Migrant Tales. Many times I wonder what is wrong
Migrant Tales kiittää “internet netsi” ja Scripta blogia
Syyskuu 8 päivä 2008 oli historiallinen Migrant Tales blogille. Silloin olin lähellä lopettaa blogini. Kaikki muuttui syyskuun 8 päivänä kun Migrant Talesia vastaan hyökättiin Scripta blogista. Eräs “internet netsi” ilmoitti meistä Scriptan seinälle: “Tuolta voitte lukea kuinka kamalan rasistinen maa suomi on, uskokaa ny!” Kiitoksia “Internet netsi”* ja Jussi Halla-ahon Scripta blogille, että annoit minulle voimaa jatkaa. Olemme tänään
MP files police charges against union leader for naming the PS a party of racists and fascists
Can you believe that an MP of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party, Kaj Turunen, has filed charges against Trade Union Pro chairman Antti Rinne for stating on a Helsingin Sanomt interview that the right-wing populist party had no scruples and therefore open to racism and fascism, according to Uusi Suomi. Believe it or not, Turunen believes
FGM or female circumcision: Traveling from culture point a to culture point b without exploding into pieces
Fadumo Dayib, who writes a great blog called Somali Womanhood and is Migrant Tales associate editor, asked me a very good question when I spoke to her about what some call female circumcision and which the critics refer to female genital mutilation (FGM). “What new points of view can you bring to the debate,” she asked. A
Finland & Cultural Diversity 2013
Compared with the previous two years, 2013 will be remembered as business as usual on the intolerance front. A positive sign, however, is the reaction of some of the Finnish media to racism. Even so, the media in this country continues to give some racists inflated respectability and importance by spreading their prejudice. The reaction
How Kirkko & kaupunki sees far-right anti-immigration PS MP playing with fire
Ville Ranta’s cartoon below published on Helsinki Lutheran Church weekly, Kirkko & kaupunki, of Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Olli Immonen, is a good example of how Finland is waking up to racism and to a party that preaches intolerance. Immonen is in the same anti-immigration league as MP Jussi Halla-aho, Juho Eerola and many others who
Migrant Tales (July 20, 2013): Somali-Finn Abdulah: Living in no-man’s land (Part I)
Even if I have never met Abdulah* in person but only by phone and through his comments on Migrant Tales, it’s as if we’ve known each other for a long time. Abdulah moved to Finland from Somalia in 1990 with his parents and six sisters. He was eight at the time. When Abdulah came to Finland,
A letter of thanks to Hommaforum and Hannu of Scripta
Hommaforum, a Finnish hate forum where people reveal their xenophobia and racism anonymously, tried to pull a fast one on Migrant Tales by making up a story about an Ethiopian victim called Dawit. The aim of the email and the story that was published and taken down was supposedly to discredit and shame one of Finland’s most
Timo Soini’s silence in the face of PS MP Olli Immonen’s proposal reveals that he has always been the wolf in sheep’s clothing
Timo Soini, the chairman of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party, was quoted as saying on YLE in English that PS MP Olli Immonen’s written question to parliament, that Finland should start classifying people according to ethnic background, doesn’t concern him. What do you think such a statement by the head of an an anti-immigration party reveals?
PS MP wants Finland to classify people according to ethnic background
As the European Parliament elections near in May 2014, the attacks against immigrants and visible minorities in Finland by the Perussuomalaiset (PS) are getting stronger and more relentless. The latest one is by none other then PS MP Olli Immonen, who gave parliament Wednesday a written question that Finland should start registering people according to
Reija Härkönen: Hyytävää politiikkaa
Reija Härkönen Kun viime eduskuntavaalien jälkeen luin Helsingin Sanomien 8.6.2011 julkaiseman artikkelin Hitlerin varhaisesta kirjeestä, jossa hän kertoi vastenmielisyydestään juutalaisia kohtaan, sain kylmät väreet lukiessani tämän Hitlerin lauseen: “Vastenmielisyyden aiheuttajana on enimmäkseen henkilökohtainen kontakti ja vaikutelma, jonka yksittäinen juutalainen aiheuttaa – ja joka on lähes aina epäsuotuisa” Yhteys nykypäivän Suomeen oli järkyttävä. Juuri samalla tavalla argumentoi tuolloin
Finland and Europe must not be lured into populism and xenophobia
Denials by party leaders like Timo Soini that the Perussuomalaiset (PS) isn’t a xenophobic party, and the meek response of Finland’s mainstream parties to such a threat, speak volumes of the present state of this country. Who helped the political careers of xenophobes like Jussi Halla-aho, James Hirvisaari and others? Soini and the PS. Why
Red herrings, code words that help sanitize and make more acceptable our intolerance
Even if I have written for years about Finland’s anti-immigration groups like the Perussuomalaiset (PS), you have to learn to detect the red herrings in order to understand their real views on the topic. What you may uncover behind these red herrings is far scarier than ever imagined. A red herring is “something intended to
Well-groomed politicians and making racism in Finland “normal”
In general terms, there are two types of politicians in Finland that spread intolerance: those that let it all hang out and another type that speaks to you politely and is well-groomed. In the latter group, you’ll find PS MPs like Jussi Halla-aho, Juho Eerola, Teuvo Hakkarainen, Juho Eerola, even Timo Soini; James Hirvisaari is
Reija Härkönen: Hommaforum – perussuomalainen ääni netissä?
Reija Härkönen Hommaforum on perussuomalaisen Jussi Halla-ahon ja ns. ”nuivan” liikkeen sivusto, jossa tehdään maahanmuuttajavastaista agendaa tukevaa vaalityötä, seurataan halla-aholaisten työskentelyä eduskunnassa ja nostetaan esille maahanmuuttajiin liittyviä negatiivisia uutisia ja artikkeleita. Perussuomalaisilla on palstalla merkittävin läsnäolo, mutta myös Muutos 2011 ja sen maahanmuuttajavastaiset ehdokkaat ja kannattajat ovat saaneet palstalla omat osionsa. Foorumin tarkoitus määritellään säännöissä
Cultural diversity is unstoppable – it exposes Finland’s white privilege and intolerance
A Silminnäkijä television program exposed Thursday something we all knew: how you are treated in Finland depends on the color of your skin and ethnic-national background. Should this surprise us? What is more incredible? Is it the indifference of the police, bouncers and near-silence of society as people are openly discriminated right before our very
The ogre of racism in Finland is learning how to wear a three-piece suit and tie
Matters appear to have changed after the April 2011 election, when the Perussuomalaiset (PS) rose from relative obscurity to become the third-largest party in parliament. The well-known scandals and publicized vicious attacks by the racists of the PS against immigrants and visible minorities appear to have changed their tune. Apart from the row that
Why does the Finnish media give so much attention to anti-immigration politicians and parties?
I was invited on Tuesday to speak at a seminar on immigration* for YLE journalists. One of the questions I asked was why do Finnish journalists give so much space and attention to far-right anti-immigration politicians? Why do some give racists inflated respectability and importance? A recent story about Finland accepting 500 refugees from war-torn Syria
Two important stories this week that may have far-reaching implications for Finland
This week was marked by two important news stories that will could have far-reaching consequences on our country: Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP James Hirvisaari’s expulsion from the anti-immigration and anti-EU party, and positive words about immigration by Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen. Verkkouutiset is published by the National Coalition Party. See full story here. While the first
Nazi salutes and the growth of far-right ideology in Finland
In two weeks, two Perussuomalaiset (PS) politicians got their fingers burned badly after one made a Nazi salute with a Hitler mask while another took a picture of another one who made the same salute in parliament. One of the reasons why some Finns can do this in public is because they have a blind
A guest of the Finnish PS gives a Nazi salute in parliament
We all know how a political party like the Perussuomalaiset (PS) has declared war against immigrants and other minorities in this country. The latest attack by the PS was against the Finnish parliament by a guest of MP James Hirvisaari, who was pictured giving a Nazi salute. UPDATE: Hirvisaari confirmed Thursday that it was him
Ana María Gutiérrez-Sorainen: Ihmisoikkeudet eivät ole neuvottelukysymys
Ana María Gutiérrez-Sorainen* Kansanedustaja Mikael Jugnerin avustaja Nasima Razmyar (SDP) lähetti julkisen kirjeen perussuomalaisten kansaedustaja Jussi Halla-aholle omassa Ilta-lehden blogissaan. Tämä on jo toinen kerta, kun Razmyar osoittaa huomionsa perussuomalaisille. Jokainen saa kirjoittaa kenelle hän tahtoo, yksityisesti tai/ja julkisesti. Koska tuo kirje on nyt julkinen, voimme me muut arvioida sitä vapaasti julkisestikin. Ensiksi Nasima Razmyar ikään
Why doesn’t Timo Soini make a clear split with its PS racists? Answer: political hara-kiri
Columnist Yrjö Rautio of Apu magazine writes that if Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairman Timo Soini doesn’t make a clear split with PS MP racists like Jussi Halla-aho and his followers, the party should make official that it supports the following values: “paranoia, hatred and human evil.” Read full story (in Finnish) here. Rautio makes a valid point.
Saving one life, one refugee from Syria, IS important
Arguing that accepting a few hundred refugees from Syria is not important because it is a drop in the bucket, is an outrageous statement made by Jussi Halla-aho, Vesa-Matti Saarakkala and others. The other point they are trying to drive home, that these people will be a burden on Finland, exposes their loathing and ignorance.
Äärioikeistolaista sananvapautta ja ihmisoikeuksia
Susannah Monet ovat nähneet kuvia Heteropridesta, Helsingissä 21.9. 2013 pidetyn mielenosoituksen. Se poiki jo perussuomalaistenkin leirissä kohun; Jani Viinikaisen erottamisen 22.9.2013 Kangasalan kunnanvaltuustosta, ja Viinikaisen oman eron perussuomalaisesta puolueesta. Syynä tähän oli kyseenalainen materiaali mielenosoituksen jäsenistössä ja Viinikaisesta otetut, facebookissa levitetyt kuvat tekemässä natsitervehdystä hitlernaamari päässään tapahtumasta palatessaan. Susannahin mielenkiintoa herätti myös tämän tapahtuman järjestäjä,
How Syrian refugees fleeing war show how the Finnish media gives (again) racists inflated respectability and importance
Migrant Tales published a while back a story about how the media gives racists and radical anti-immigration groups inflated respectability and importance. Why should we care what a Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP like Jussi Halla-aho, who was on top of it convicted for ethnic agitation, thinks about giving asylum to Syrian refugees? Verkkouutiset is run by the
The Finnish and European media still have a lot to learn about racism and intolerance
One matter that is interesting to note when looking at the media before the historic victory of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party in April 2011, is the present controversy surrounding the Youth League of the National Coalition Party’s program. Is the media giving racists, radical anti-immigration groups and voices inflated respectability and importance? The whole Susanna
Susanna Koski: “The Youth League of the National Coalition Party has zero tolerance to racism”
Susanna Koski is quoted as saying on Helsingin Sanomat that the Youth League of the National Coalition Party that she is president of has zero tolerance to racism. “We don’t accept racism in any form or shape,” she said. Read original story (in Finnish) here. Right, Koski, you don’t tolerate racism but want to
Susanna Koski and the National Coalition Party’s youth wing: The language of barbarians
The more I think about the proposals put forth by the president of the Youth League of the National Coalition Party, Susanna Koski, the more I wonder where this country is heading. Would her suggestion to scrap the Ombudsman for Minorities and laws that govern ethnic agitation constitute barbarism? Even if barbarians are considered “uncivilized,”
Youth League of the National Coalition Party sees no evil in hate speech
The president of the Youth League of the National Coalition Party, Susanna Koski, surprised even members of her party Monday by proposing, among a long list of other things, that the Ombudsman for Minorities office should be scrapped together with the quota refugee program and ethnic agitation law. The proposals for 2014 by the National
Zuzeeko’s blog: MPs ignore bigger fish to fry in Finnish society
Zuzeeko Tegha Abeng Public discourse in Finnish online forums and blogs written by far-right elements and Finns Party MPs suggest that immigration is the biggest problem in Finland, but a closer look at Finnish society reveals more pertinent issues that people on the far-right of the political divide ignore, including domestic violence, family killings and
Reija Härkönen: Siedätetäänkö meidät rasismiin?
Reija Harkönen ”Tilannehan on se, että kukkahattuusto ja tärähtäneistöhän joka tapauksessa kaivelevat kauheaa rasismia, moukkamaisuutta ja öykkärimäisyyttä esille kaikesta siitä mistä eivät pidä. Niinpä on ihan järkevää antaa heille jotain mistä kiukutella ja metelöidä, nostaa aina pikkuhiljaa uudestaan ja uudestaan kohteita esille. Näin toimien mökellysraja nousee ja asialliset poliittiset aloitteet ja toimet on päivä päivältä
Racism in Finland: The media is part of the problem
A party like the Perussuomalaiset (PS), which has capitalized politically on xenophobia and racism, claims that the Finnish media picks on it unfairly. The fact is, however, that the PS could have never achieved what it did in the April 2011 election without the help of the media, which gave its racists inflated respectability and
Magneettimedia spreads anti-Semitism in Finland
Should we be surprised if anti-Semitism raises its head in Finland alongside anti-Islam, anti-immigration and anti-gay sentiment? Using the same argument as those who spread hate speech against minorities in this country, Magneettimedia, a publication owned by J. Kärkkäinen, claims that an article by anti-Semitic Ted Pike was published to promote public debate. J. Kärkkäinen is a
Interior Minister Räsänen disagrees with findings of police report on the Romany minority
Migrant Tales asked Monday what kinds of arguments will politicians now come up with to criminalize begging after a police report didn’t reveal any links between Romany beggars and human trafficking and organized crime. The police report not only exposed shameful urban legends used to victimize poor Romanies from Romania and Bulgaria, who make 10-20 euros a
What does the PS’ new party secretary mean by “tightening [Finnish] immigration policy?”
Left Alliance MP Risto Kalliorinne asks Perussuomalaiset (PS) new party secretary Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo to elaborate what she means by ”tightening immigration policy?” Apart from labeling herself a chauvinist, Slunga-Poutsalo “demanded” that Finland should tighten immigration policy. Read original story here. While Left Alliance MP Kalliorinne poses an important question, we all know the answer that Slunga-Poutsalo
Finland never was, is, and will be only “white”
Whenever a far right politician like Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Olli Immonen, Jussi Halla-aho or James Hirvisaari comment on what is or who has the right to be Finnish, they always get it wrong. Their views, that Finland is only white, is not only wrong but a hostile act towards the tens of thousands of Finns
PS’ Slunga-Poutsalo is “extremely concerned” about Finnish immigration policy
In a short interview on A-Studio Monday, the new party secretary of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) reinforced her anti-immigration stance. “I’m not annoyed by anything concerning immigration,” said PS secretary Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, “but extremely concerned about the immigration policy we pursue in Finland.” Don’t be fooled, the PS’ new party secretary, Riikka SLunga-Poutsalo, is in the
New PS party secretary Riikka Slunga Poutsalo “demands” tighter immigration policy
As Migrant Tales correctly pointed out, it didn’t take long for the new party secretary of the Perussuomalaiset (PS), Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, to show her far right anti-immigration credentials. Interviewed by YLE’s 8:30 pm news, Slunga-Poutsalo “demands” Finland should tighten immigration policy further. Migrant Tales wrote Saturday that one of the aims of the PS annual congress
The PS’ new Cadillac model of racism
How does intolerance and racism work in Finnish politics? How does it manifest itself today in anti-immigration parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)? A quote by U.S. civil rights leader Malcolm X (1925-65) provides us with a partial clue to these questions: “Racism is like a Cadillac, they bring out a new model every year.” Is
Reija Härkönen: Kansanedustajan natsijatsit
Reija Härkönen* Ensi kuussa on taas Asikkalassa hyvin naamioitu vaalitilaisuus. Vääksyn kanavalla soi jazz. Ihan ilmaiseksi. Kemut järjestää kansanedustaja James Hirvisaari. Hirvisaaren vanhat jatsi- ja gospelkaverit ovat jo vuosia saapuneet tähän aikaan vuodesta juhlistamaan Jameksen syntymäpäiviä. Alkuun yksityisesti, mutta politiikkaan lähdettyään Hirvisaari sai mainion idean pitää juhlat kanavalla, kutsua kyläläiset synttärikansan sekaan ja näin saada
About half of the PS MPs want to deny Finland’s cultural diversity
Roughly half of the 39 Perussuomalaiset (PS) MPs have signed a draft law that would in effect deny Finland’s ever-growing cultural diversity in the youth law. If PS MP Olli Immonen had his way together with twenty other PS MPs, Finland would go into denial mode and conveniently brush its immigrants and visible minorities under
Terveisiä Scriptablogista 12 syyskuuta 2008
Yksi monista tuhansista Migrant Tales:ia vastaan kohdistetuista viesteistä, jonka muistan hyvin oli hyökkäys Jussi Halla-ahon Scriptablogista. Alla olevaa viestiä en unohda koskaan. Noin neljän tunnin sisällä, Migrant Talesin blogiin hyökättiin. Hyökkäys torjuttiin ja tänään olemme yksi luetuimpia anti-rasistisia blogeja Suomessa. Nimi :Old No. 7Mitä teen :Kommentoin Viesti :Mikäs mies tuo Enriikke Tessieeri on olevinaan?
Burqas, nijabs, the PS and red herrings
A tabloid Iltalehti story wrote about a heated debate in parliament Friday between the anti-immigration populist Perussuomalaiset (PS) party and the Greens over a draft bill spearheaded by PS MP Vesa-Matti Saarakkala, which aims to ban the burqa and nijab in public places. The PS MP considers the law as a “preventive measure” even if the nijab
Our lopsided debate on immigration and refugees serves to keep our society white
The most startling fact about a US state department report on human rights for 2012 weren’t the sentences for hate speech handed to Perussuomalaiset (PS) party members such as MP Jussi Halla-aho and Freddy Van Wonterghem, but the discrimination suffered by Finland’s Romany minority, which number about 10,000. Read full US secretary of state human
Could Finland and the Nordic region see Golden Dawn-like fanatics in the future?
The news from Greece is getting more distressing as Golden Dawn neo-Nazi thugs continue to terrorize sensible Greeks, immigrants and other minorities with the collusion of the police. An investigative report by The Guardian exposes how bad things are in Greece at present and why matters will get far worse. Could we see something similar happening in
What separates our counterjihadists from jihadists?
Anjem Choudary took part in a talk in Helsinki Thursday about freeing Muslim hostages. The Muslim cleric has said a lot of controversial things in the past like Islam will overrun Europe and that Prime Minister David Cameron and U.S. President Barack Obama should be killed. He’s even predicted that a “tsunami” of Muslim immigrants will sweep
Council of Europe: No hate speech movement
This campaign, No hate Speech Movement, is long overdue and in great need. It’s a good matter that we are waking up to this menace even if politicians shamelessly play it down. The reason why hate speech exists is because we permit it. In Finland we have politicians who have been sentenced for hate speech.
YLE ensures that opinion pieces and news will be easily identifiable in the future
YLE emailed a Migrant Tales reader, who expressed concern Friday about an opinion piece written as news by Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Olli Immonen. It was an odd coincidence that Immonen’s opinion piece was published in such a manner, considering that the PS MP is the new chairman of Suomen Sisu, a far right anti-immigration association.
How far to the right will the PS and Suomen Sisu take Finland?
Even if Suomen Sisu president Olli Immonen and Jussi Halla-aho, both MPs of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party, tried to assure television viewers Thursday on A-Talk that the association is neither racist nor far right, nothing could be further from the truth. In order to keep immigrants and visible minorities disenfranchised, Suomen Sisu must come up
Cultural diversity: The key question that should have been asked on YLE’s A-Studio talk show
YLE A-Studio had an interesting debate with Perussuomalaisiet (PS) MPs Olli Immonen, Jussi Halla-aho, Left Alliance Helsinki city councilman Dan Koivulaakso and Swedish-language daily HBL journalist Marianne Lydén. Despite assurances by Immonen, Suomen Sisu’s new president, that the extremist anti-immigration association is against racism, they should their same colors by reinforcing over and over again their
Holocaust toll was much higher than believed – what will the deniers and Counterjihadists now say?
Don’t look for intolerance in complex and distant places because it sits and hides right under our noses. A story on the Huffington Post, reveals that researchers from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum found over 40,000 Nazi death camps and ghettos that existed during Adolf Hitler’s reign of terror between 1933 and 1945. The
Anti-gay vote in Finland was a vote for intolerance
The vote to defeat the draft bill that would have legalized gay marriage by the legal committee of parliament sets not only a dangerous precedent but reveals Finland’s ever-hardened stance not only against gays, but against all minorities. If there were a Hall of Shame for MPs, its members would consist of those who voted against the gay-marriage
Far right and anti-immigration quotes in English by the PS
There’s a new site that publishes quotes by your favorite Perussuomalaiset (PS) politician in English. Those PS politicians are none other than Jussi Halla-aho, James Hirvisaari and Juho Eerola. You can visit the site at truefinns.tumblr.com The editors state the following: “Quotes by some leading politicians of the True Finns party. Note that we do
Finland, the PS and far right: How long before the chickens come home to roost?
I’ve lived and worked in countries like Colombia and Argentina during the dirty war (1976-83), where people were and still are killed for what they write. Never would I have imagined that I’d receive my first death threats twenty years ago in this country, Finland. The threats and harassment haven’t stopped. When I read
PS MP Hirvisaari now says he was “pressured” to resign from Suomen Sisu
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP James Hirvisaari, who was convicted for ethnic agitation in December, announced Saturday on Twitter that he was “pressured” to resign from the extremist Suomen Sisu association. He announced on Friday that he was resigning from Suomen Sisu because he was too old to belong to “a youth organization.” Hirvisaari tweets, “The truth:
Far right PS MP Hirvisaari resigns from Suomen Sisu
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP James Hirvisaari, who was convicted for ethnic agitation in December, announced on his blog that he has resigned from the extremist Suomen Sisu association. The whole announcement is fishy: Why is Hirvisaari resigning now? Does it make any difference? Who cares. The Supreme Court upheld in June Hirvisaari’s ethnic agitation conviction. Hirvisaari’s
Our Finnish modern-day eugenicists are no different from the past
Who are those modern-day eugenicists breathing life back into this disgraced pseudo-science whose aim was to create a master white race by wiping out other ones? If we look at Europe and the Nordic region today, we can find many politicians with the same nineteenth-century agenda but in a different context.
On human dignity
Do all humans have the same value and are all humans deserving of dignity? These are the questions asked by Jussi Halla-aho (hereafter J-Ha) in an old but now infamous blog post from 2005. J-Ha contended that only instrumental value is measurable and truly meaningful and that it is common sense to see the value of
Jyväskylä may turn into another blow to Finland’s Counterjihadist -anti-immigration hardliners
If the Counterjihadist-anti-immigration tide turned in Finland and the Nordic region after 22/7, when Anders Breivik went on the rampage killing 77 innocent people, the attack in Jyväskylä on Wednesday by suspected far-right thugs could be a serious blow to anti-immigration and far right groups in Finland. Whenever hatred metamorphoses into violence, like in the case
PS’ Eerola now claims that Jyväskylä stabbing was probably staged
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Juho Eerola said that Wednesday’s attack by suspected neo-Nazi thugs at a book presentation in Jyväskylä was probably staged in order to sell more books, reports Turun Sanomat citing STT. Two of Äärioikesto Suomessa’s (Far right in Finland) three authors, Li Andersson and Mikael Brunila, were present at the event but
Jyväskylä is (another) wakeup call to growing far right violence and intimidation
Wednesday’s attack by neo-Nazi thugs at a book presentation in Jyväskylä is a wakeup call to the growing menace of far right violence in Finland. Was what happened in the central Finnish city a surprise? The answer is no if you ask researcher Vesa Puuronen of the University of Eastern Finland. ”When we consider recent
Rule number one about racism: Don’t generalize!
It is amazing that people who should know better have never learned one very important fact: Don’t generalize about ethnic groups. We’d avoid a lot of harm to ourselves (living in the narrow world of hate and racism) and others (labeling and victimizing) if we stopped generalizing about ethnic groups. The suggestion by Kai Haavisto,
Journalists should question instead of spread racism and prejudice
Journalists are one group that have helped to spread and reinforce our prejudices and racism of other groups. There’s nothing surprising about this considering that journalists, like the media that employs them, mirror in part what the public feels. Ilta-Sanomat is one tabloid resonsible for spreading racism in Finland during the 1990s. This billboard tells
Slandering immigrants and visible minorities is disgraceful
A politician of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party has come under fire today for claiming on Facebook that all refugees and asylum seekers are social bums and rapists, reports YLE. Migrant Tales published on Sunday a blog entry citing a ministry of justice researcher, who claimed that certain anti-immigration groups in Finland distort crime statistics in
Finland & Cultural Diversity 2012*
If 2011 was a watershed year for Finland with the historic rise of a hostile party against immigrants and visible minorities in last year’s parliamentary elections, 2012 will be seen as a bittersweet turning point for the Perussuomalaiset (PS). The year will be remembered as a very violent one for immigrants as well. During “Black
The Finnish media and their PS darling
Did anyone watch Thursday’s Pressiklubi show with Li Andersson of the Left Wing Alliance, Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairman Timo Soini and Helsingin Sanomat politics and business editor, Marko Junkkari? Apart from Soini’s usual political blah-blah (sound colorful but don’t say anything), Junkkari’s comment about how the Finnish media saw the PS as their darling before the
Turun Sanomat: Is dual citizenship a threat to Finland?
An article on Turun Sanomat quotes Turku School of Economics professor, Kari Liuhto, stating that dual citizenship rights in Finland were a mistake in light of the recent child custody row that erupted in October between Finland and Russia. Liuhto believes that dual citizenship rights granted in 1999 in this country give Russia the opportunity
The PS’ anti-immigration message suffers a hard blow
Despite the fact that the debate in Finland on immigrants and immigration has taken a turn for the worse in some respects, it’s not as bad as it used to be before the April 2011 parliamentary elections and when Anders Breivik went on his murderous rampage on July 22, 2011. While anti-immigration politicians still want
Is Timo Soini losing his grip of the PS?
For those who haven’t noticed, Perussuomalaiset (PS) anti-immigration hardliners like MP Jussi Halla-aho and James Hirvisaari have tried to show their human side to the media. Halla-aho was recently interviewed with his wife Hilla on Me Naiset, while Hirvisaari writes on a blog entry hitherto-unheard empathy and understanding for his archenemy, the media. Some of Finland’s
The true face of the PS is being exposed by its poor election results
There’s an interesting editoral on Saturdary’s Helsingin Sanomat (HS) that shows how close Nordic anti-immigration are when it comes to the support they received in recent elections and poll standings. Migrant Tales wrote six days after Anders Breivik murdered in cold blood 77 people on July 22, 2011 that the tide had turned for far right anti-immigration parties
The SD (and PS) are far-right anti-immigration parties
There’s an interesting opinion piece on Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter about the Swedish Democrats (SD) and the spread of fascism or neofascism in the Scandinavian country. While classifying a party as “fascist” may be problematic, there are certain ideological characteristics that expose its true political colors. Historian and journalist Henrik Arnstad writes: “Fascism is a deeply
Schuurmudgeon: Sanoma, your ignorance is not sexy
By Jos Schuurmans “Hello? This is the nineteen-thirties calling. Can we have our nazi family snap shots back, please?” How is it possible that Sanoma, one of Finland’s largest, most professional and most respected media firms, gets away with publishing a cosy, three-page family portrait of far-right MP Jussi Halla-aho in its November 1, 2012, issue
Finland must do more to ghostbust its race-and-blood myths
What do the rise of an anti-immigration party like the Perussuomalaiset (PS) and Kokoomus’ Saul Schubak’s statements concerning child allowances have in common? Setting racism and greed aside, they are the ethnic and social myths that continue to be taught and reinforced at our schools, homes and society. One of the biggest myths and social
The majority of Mamukriit-Looks candidates got elected to office in Finland
Migrant Tales published earlier this month Mamukriit-Looks: The who’s who of anti-immigration Finland, which was a continuation of Per-Looks, a blog entry than caused outrage among some Perussuomalaiset (PS) candidates running for city council. Even if both blog entries were published with a dose of satire, the election of many PS anti-immigration candidates to city council
PS anti-immigration candidates did well in the Finnish municipal elections
What do Sunday’s municipal elections tell us about where Finland is heading politically? Even if the anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS) party won 12.3% of the votes, which was a disappointment for Timo Soini, it reinforces Finland’s anti-EU and anti-immigration stance. The biggest winner of the election was the Center Party (18.7%), which had lost a lot
Banning circumcision would be the first step in undermining religious freedom in Finland
Why is it that anti-immigration parties and politicians are usually making a case or drafting legislation to outlaw circumcision of boys or ban Muslim women from wearing burkas? Is it because they have a soft spot for Muslim or Jewish children and women? Take a whiff of their arguments and you will find an obvious
An interesting blog that follows far-right candidates in Finland’s municipal elections
I bumped into a blog called Kunnollisvaalit 2012 (in Finnish), which aims to expose far-right candidates running for office in the Finnish municipal elections of October 28. The blog cites 11 Perussuomalaiset, 2 Center Party and one Muutos 2011 candidates as “far right.” The blog aims to expose what these candidates are posting on the Internet. Kunnollisvaalit 2012
Anti-racism web sites in Finland
Migrant Tales was named as one of seven anti-racist web site in Finland, according to a thread by “Tutkija” on Vaasa Forum. While Counterjihadist and anti-immigration websites have sprung up like mushrooms in Finland, anti-racist forums are one answer to the message of hate of these latter sites. The Perussuomalaiset party openly and indirectly supports a
What kind of a threat do Finland’s Counterjihadists pose?
It’s pretty clear that what goes up politically must eventually come down. Some groups, which have recently surged in popularity like the Perussuomalaiset (PS), could see their bubble burst quickly. While I wouldn’t count on anything like that happening anytime soon, it could be a totally different story for the hardline Counterjihadists of the party. The
How to stand up to the Counterjihadists of Finland
Swedish-language daily HBL writes on Sunday that we must challenge the rhetoric of hatred by Counterjihadists. As everyone knows, the Counterjihadist hardcore in the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party comprises of three MPs: Jussi Halla-aho, James Hirvisaari and Olii Immonen. While many at Migrant Tales have valiantly challenged Counterjihadism in the past, populist radical right-wing rhetoric and hate
PS Counterjihadists: Live and die politically by the sword
The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party is at a crucial juncture concerning its strange-bedfellow relationship with Counterjihadist and populist radical right members. What kind of links do some members of the PS have with far-right groups like the Finnish Defense League (FDL)? The FDL is nothing more than a mouthpiece of the English Defense League, a violent
When will parties like the PS start banning Islam in Finland?
Pär Norling, a leader of the populist radical right Sweden Democrats of Bolnäs, located about 250km north of Stockholm, demanded the following on Sveriges Teleivision (SVT): ”Ban Islam in Sweden and deport those who persist in believing in the religion.” When will we start to hear similar demands from politicians in Finland? One matter that
Counterjihad Trojan Horse in Finland
Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik cited five Finnish groups in his manifesto, 2083 – A European Declaration of Independence. These were the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party, Suomen Sisu, Suomalaisuuden liitto, Suomen kansan sinivalkoiset and Vapaan Suomen liitto, according to a report by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (SUPO). Writes YLE in English: “Texts similar to the manifest
Those who loathe you are your supporters
The biggest supporters of immigrants and visible minorities in Finland aren’t groups lobbying for their rights per se, but their enemies. Instead of tapping ourselves on the back for challenging a social ill like racism, we should thank Perussuomalaiset (PS) chairman Timo Soini for exposing in this country bigotry and isolationism in the raw.
Finnish anti-immigration party MP claims homosexuality to be a “disability in sexual development”
In light of the municipal elections of October 28 and the Perussuomalaliset (PS) party’s poll standings, it’s no surprise that MPs of the right-wing populist party like James Hirvisaari are leading the charge against different minorities in Finland. In a comment on Hommaforum, the PS MP considered homosexuality to be “a disability in sexual development.”* Hommaforum
Somali-Finn Abdulah: Living in no-man’s land (Part I)
Even if I have never met Abdulah* in person but only by phone and through his comments on Migrant Tales, it’s as if we’ve known each other for a long time. Abdulah moved to Finland from Somalia in 1990 with his parents and six sisters. He was eight at the time. When Abdulah came to
Kysymys vailla vastausta: keitä ovat perussuomalaiset?
Yksi mielenkiintoinen kysymys joka nousi esiin perussuomalaisista viime vuoden historiallisen vaalivoiton jälkeen oli keitä he ovat? Yli vuosi vaaleista ja kysymys on yhä vailla vastausta: keitä he perussuomalaiset ovat? Jos esitämme kysymyksen suoraan perussuomalaisille, vastaus saattaa olla yhtä sekava ja ristiriitainen kuin puolue itse. Riippumatta puolueen jäsenistön monimuotoisesta ideologisesta taustasta, voidaan kysyä kuinka on
A question begs an answer: Who are the Perussuomalaiset?
The million-dollar question after the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party’s historic election victory was what kind of party had entered the Finnish political stage. After over a year in parliament and numerous scandals that have rocked the PS, a question still begs an answer: Who are they? If you seek an answer directly from the party, the response
Monikulttuurisuudesta ja kulttuurirelativismista
Susannah Kulttuurirelativismi tarkoittaa , että esim. yksilön suhde lakiin ja moraaliin on suhteellista. Sellaisia syytöksiä esim. Jussi Halla-aho (ps) ja antijihadistinen seurakunta on syytänyt antirasistien niskaan. Sen mukaan antirasistit muka sallisivat toisenlaisia lakijärjestelmiä, kuten sharia, Suomeen. Eikö tässä valossa ole varsin koomista, että Halla-aho on kommentoinut omaa tuomiotaan korkeimmasta oikeudesta näin: http://mtv3.mobi/uutiset/uutiset/kotimaa/2012/06/1564528.xml?p=0 Puheenjohtaja Soini ei suostunut ottamaan
How many types of racists are there in Finland?
I read an interesting blog entry by Julian Abagond that highlights three types of racists in the United States: white bigots, white implicit racists and whites with integrity. How many types of racists are there in Finland? When studying racism in this country or in other parts of Europe, denial is the most incriminating evidence
Far-right violence spreads across Europe – what about Finland?
As the euro financial crisis deepens so does the rise of far-right violence across Europe, according to a report by the Institute of Race Relations. Finland stands out as one of the 100 cases documented by the report. It states that academics studying immigration in this country are forced to withdraw from public discussion rather
Migrant Tales March 15, 2012: Finland’s darkest period 2011-15
In the future, when Finnish historians of different ethnic backgrounds look at the present parliamentary term 2011-15, they will most likely conclude that it was the darkest period for Finland and immigrants in the new century. A prelude to this sombre period were the municipal election of 2008 and how it reflected a shift in
The PS asks if it can openly discriminate against immigrants and visible minorities in Finland
A group of Perussuomalaiset (PS) MPs, including its chairman Timo Soini, have formally asked the council of state whether they can only hire Finnish workers to refurbish its recently acquired 1.7-million-euro headquarters in Helsinki. Why should the PS limit itself to only hiring Finnish workers? Why not make sure that 100% of the materials used
Pirkko Mattila is the clear line that now separates Timo Soini and Suomen Sisu
The decision by the Perussuomalaiset (PS) parliamentary group to choose Pirkko Mattila to be the new chairwoman of the administration committee of parliament is welcome news. Considering that her challengers, Juho Eerola and Ismo Soukola, lost by wide margins bolsters PS chairman Timo Soini’s influence in the party. It shows as well that an ever-growing
Pro-Soini Pirkko Mattila to chair administration committee of parliament
The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party’s parliamentary group chose Tuesday Pirkko Mattila to be the new chairwoman of the administration committee after PS MP Jussi Halla-aho was forced to resign last week. The PS MP from the northern Finnish town of Muhos got 25 votes, clearly beating challengers Juho Eerola and Ismo Soukola, who got 5 votes apiece, according
Who are the PS’ powerbrokers: Suomen Sisu or Timo Soini?
Perussuomalaiset (PS) party chairperson Timo Soini’s silence after the Supreme Court announced that it would fine PS MP Jussi Halla-aho for defaming a religion and inciting ethnic hatred, speaks volumes about the power struggles in the right-wing populist party. Who are the PS’ powerbrokers today: the extremist Suomen Sisu wing led by Halla-aho, or
Finnish Supreme Court upholds hate speech conviction against Hirvisaari
The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will not grant Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP James Hirvisaari permission to appeal a conviction for hate speech handed down in December by the Kouvola Court of Appeal, reports Helsingin Sanomat. Last week, the PS suffered another blow when its MP Jussi Halla-aho was forced to resign as chairman of the administration
The wrong Finnish identity for all the wrong reasons
In many respects, Finland is a fortunate country when it comes to a social construct like national identity. We are still a young nation actively searching for our roots. We have learned many things about ourselves as a society thanks to the rise of an anti-immigration party like the Perussuomalaiset (PS). One of the matters
Cultural diversity in Finland: The high price of being too alike
As a writer and person with a multicultural background, I have been seeking to narrate a more inclusive and accurate history of Finland. Taking into account that over 1.2 million people emigrated from this country between 1860 and 1999 and our ever-growing immigrant population, aren’t both of these facts enough proof of our cultural diversity?
Uusi Suomi: Länsimaiset arvot uhattuina
by Husein Muhammed* Kansanedustaja ja Eduskunnan hallintovaliokunnan puheenjohtajan Jussi Halla-ahon (ps) mielestä korkeimman oikeuden antama tuomio uskonrauhan rikkomisesta ja kiihottamisesta kansanryhmää vastaan on väärä ja epäoikeudenmukainen. Hän pitää medialle lähettämässään tiedotteessa Suomen korkeimman oikeuden ratkaisua “muutaman ihmisen henkilökohtaiseena tulkinta”, ei “minään taivaallisena totuutena”. Tähän asti Halla-aho on esiintynyt “maahanmuuttajien rikollisuudesta” huolestuneena kansalaisena ja poliitikkona. Nyt hän itse halveksii Suomen
Abagond: Colorblind racism
Comment: Every time we stray from the real issue behind racism (=ethnic background) we are flirting or committing colorblind racism. A familiar colorblind racist counter-argument commonly heard from anti-immigration groups is why whites are treated unfairly? Why was Jussi Halla-aho fined for defaming a religion and inciting ethnic hatred but nothing happens to you if you insult
Finnish politicians should smell the coffee of far-right extremism
After over a year of following countless scandals, fines for hate speech, racism and exposures of their far-right ideology, a question begs an answer of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party: Who is Timo Soini? If we asked Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, a social democrat, his answer would be moral weakness and opportunism. Tuomioja writes a day after
Migrant Tales December 30, 2011: Timo Soini and the beast behind the sugar-coated words
Comment: It shouldn’t have come as any surprise that after the Supreme Court ruling to fine Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Jussi Halla-aho for defaming a religion and incitement against an ethnic group, PS chairman Timo Soini would end up eating his words. Soini said in 2009 that if Halla-aho was criminally convicted of racism, he’d be
Finnish anti-immigration party seeks to ban begging
Three Perussuomalaiset (PS) MPs plan to present a bill to Parliament that would ban begging in public places, according to YLE in English. The aim of the bill has nothing to do with helping the Roma, a group that has suffered persecution in Europe for centuries. Its main aim is to reap political points for an
Greed, narcissism, apathy and fascism are the greatest threats to Finland today
One of the matters I have admired most about Finland is its underdog spirit. When I grew up part of the year as a child and adolescent in Finland with my grandparents, that fighting spirit was ever-present. It was the fuel that led the country forward and turned it into a model society today. Despite our
PS MP Olli Immonen plans to boycott YLE “for a short while”
By Enrique Tessieri Far-right anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP, Olli Immonen, said Monday he will boycott YLE “for a short while” since the state-owned radio and television company reports unfairly about the PS. According to him, there is a systematic propaganda campaign against the PS by YLE I doubt that many will lose sleep over Immonen’s
Julkisen sanan neuvoston päätös oli voitto sanavapaudelle
Enrique Tessieri Julkisen sanan neuvoston (JSN) vapauttava päätös Kirkko ja kaupungin lehdelle oli mielestäni voitto sana- sekä lehdistövapaudelle Suomessa. Miten on mahdollista, että yksi maamme suurimmista poliittista puolueesta kehtaa alkaa vaikuttamaan sekä rajoittamaan lehdistövapautta maassamme? Mielestäni tämä on juuri se tärkein kysymys koko JSN:n päätöksessä. Neuvoston mukaan pilapiirroksista on tullut erittäin vähän kanteluita sen olemassaoloaikana
Anti-immigration Hommaforum editor to head PS’ party newspaper
What kind of message does the Perussuomalaiset (PS) give when it names Matias Turkkila as the new editor-in-chief of the party’s newspaper and web page? It reinforces what Migrant Tales has been saying all along: the PS will step up their nationalistic and anti-immigration campaign up to the do-or-die municipal election in October.
Anti-immigration groups in Finland care less about immigrants and visible minorities
Behind all the rhetoric spread by anti-immigration groups in Finland and elsewhere a fact emerges:they are out to destroy the lives of as many immigrants as possible with their prejudice and racism. When a justice ministry official hands over rape statistics of different immigrant groups he gives a power weapon to slander and victimize people from different countries.
As Breivik speaks out against multiculturalism the more damage he inflicts on anti-immigration parties
As Anders Breivik,who killed 77 people on July 22 on his crusade against multiculturalism, takes the stand and speaks out against immigration and Islam the more damage he inflicts on anti-immigration parties in the Nordic region like the Perussuomalaiset (PS). After his rampage in Norway, nothing was ever the same for parties like the PS because Breivik put them on the defensive.
The Eronen “armband” scandal reveals healthy accountability by the media
The Helena Eronen scandal exposes an important watershed in Finland. It is a similar turning point we saw on July 22 with the mass killings in Norway and in February when Tommi Rautio suggested decoarating a white Finn for killing a Muslim in February in Oulu. The latest scandal reveals that those who bashed and spread racism and Nazi-spirited writings freely are now held accountable for what they write.
Eronen asked for trouble when she wrote her column about armbands
Finland has been inflicted for a number of years by people who think they can say and write anything they please about immigrants and visible minorities in Finland. It’s only natural that when you let out racism and prejudice to roam freely in society unchecked, things will eventually snap as we saw in Norway in July. What did Helena Eronen, Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP James Hirvisaari’s aide, do wrong?
Far-right groups and anti-immigration extremists in Finland and Europe flirt with fascism
When far-right groups and anti-immigration extremists flirt with fascism nothing good can ever come out of it. Even if it sounds incredible, we have in Finland our own holocaust deniers or those who claim the Nuremberg Trials were a farce.
Ilta-Sanomat poll shows Greens leading PS in municipal election
A poll commissioned by Ilta-Sanomat gave the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party a big surprise. If the October municipal election took place today, the Greens would get 11% of the votes compared with 10% by the PS. The previous setback that the PS got from the Greens was in the presidential election, when an openly gay candidate beat two conservative anti-EU hopefuls, Timo Soini of the PS and Paavo Väyrynen of the Center Party.
Why was Migrant Tales deactivated for about thirteen hours?
Thursday night was one of the worst I had experienced in a while: my son tells about some SKV neo-Nazi stickers put on a lamppost in front of our house and then Migrant Tales gets deactivated a couple of hours later because “it does not comply with the WordPress.com Terms of Service or advertising policy.” What’s going on?
Trolls come in many sizes and shapes in Finland
I read an interesting blog entry on Iowa State Daily that gave a very good suggestion to the vicious racist stuff you find in the blogsphere: “Require identification for comments and monitor, monitor, monitor the trolls,” said Michael Bugeja, director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. “The blogosphere is full of trolls, and some write the most vicious things. Keep them out of mainstream media, and ignore them whenever you can.”
Finnish PS hardcore far-right MP gives a kick in the gut to the Romany minority
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Olli Immonen represents the worst of the worst when it comes to the acceptance of our ever-growing culturally diverse society. Apart from predicting a war between Islam and white Christian Europe, Immonen never loses the opportunity to kick the most vulnerable members of society in the guts.
Finnish human rights activist and writer reports threats by two PS members to the police
Every month the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party offers us a scandal. Well, here is the one for the month of March: two PS members, Klaus Eovaara and Jani Viinikainen, have threatened on Facebook writer and human rights activist Jussi K. Niemelä, who has reported the matter to the police.
Finland’s darkest period: 2011-15
In the future, when Finnish historians with different ethnic backgrounds look at the present parliamentary term 2011-15, they will most likely conclude that it was the darkest period for Finland and immigrants. A prelude to this sombre period between two parliamentary elections will be the municipal election of 2008 and how it reflected the negative mood of the country.
Milloin minusta tulee suomalainen?
”Olenko suomalainen?” on niitä kysymyksiä, jotka yhdistävät kaikkia toisen polven maahanmuuttajia. Mutta kaikista kipeimmin se koskettaa värillisiä. Kantasuomalaisten keskuudessa kuuluu välillä lausahdus maassa maan tavalla mutta mitä tämä sanonta oikeasti tarkoittaa.
Finland's PS executive board sacks one member from the party
After the muffled fanfare died down after the Perussuomalaiset (PS) executive board decided to feed Tommi Rautio to the lions, Timo Soini’s party has lowered the bar even further. It is ok today to be a PS member as long as you don’t condone violence.
Finland’s PS executive board sacks one member from the party
After the muffled fanfare died down after the Perussuomalaiset (PS) executive board decided to feed Tommi Rautio to the lions, Timo Soini’s party has lowered the bar even further. It is ok today to be a PS member as long as you don’t condone violence.
Timo Soini's little PS fish and big PS fishes
The PS councilman Tommi Rautio scandal, where he stated on Facebook that he’d decorate the Finn who killed a Moroccan native in cold blood at a pizzeria Oulu, is turning into a messy Breivik-type watershed for the Perussuomalaiset (PS). The concern raised by PS chairman Timo Soini, and how the Rautio scandal has already impacted the party’s popularity internally and externally, is clear in its new non-convincing get-tough stance on racism.
Somali death in Finland: The problem that constantly mocks at us
Migrant Tales was saddened to be tipped off that apparently another Somali national had died violently now in Espoo after it reported the tragic death of a Somali national in Oulu. The shock and outrage of the Somali community of the death of one of its members reveal their mistrust for white Finnish society and the authorities.
The question that exposed Timo Soini’s good-cop-bad-cop strategy on racism
The televised presidential debate on Thursday is probably one of the first time when Perussuomalaiset (PS) party chairman Timo Soini’s lie was uncovered to the tee. His usual response, “I don’t support racism and hate speech,” didn’t work because it was unconvincing. We should thank again the high school students of the city of Järvenpää for their question that brought Soini’s political house of cards down.
We can contain the PS' populist threat to Finland
The more I read about Timo Soini the more I am convinced that the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party is a threat to this country, especially to those who do not fit the PS’ narrow view of the world. I am not contesting the election result, which I respect, but what the cat has brought in from the back door.
Timo Soini: The beast behind the sugar-coated words
What does Perussuomalaiset (PS) party presidential hopeful, Timo Soini, really think about immigration and cultural diversity? A column he wrote in the latest Suomen Soini Presidentiksi [Soini for Finnish president] publication exposes what the leader of the PS thinks about such important issues.
Finland & Cultural Diversity 2011
In many respects 2011 was a watershed year for Finland and Europe concerning the rise of anti-immigration parties and xenophobia. The biggest news to hit Finland this year was without a doubt the April 17 election, which saw the anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS) party win 39 seats compared with only 5 in 2007. On July 22 Anders Breivik gunned down most of his 77 victims in Norway.
A matter of perspective and the real issue in the Finnish immigration debate
Perspective is one reason why Migrant Tales has grown especially after the April 17 election and become a home for a large and ever-growing number of bloggers. We have, in my opinion, become for some that sincere critical “voice for those whose views and situation are understood poorly and heard faintly by the media, politicians and public.”
Finland’s PS Soini plays down racism in his party to “one, two or three” cases
Perussuomalaiset (PS) party presidential hopeful Timo Soini’s excuses about the issue of racism in his party and in Finland are getting more surreal every day. At a presidential debate Wednesday on MTV3, Soini played down racism in his party to “one, two or three” cases compared with a half a million people who voted for the PS in April.
Finland’s ignorance of racism and fascism
One of the political dramas that Finland is suffering today is that it does not know what racism and fascism is. The Finnish media up to the April 17 election not only lost its teeth and forgot the important role it plays in defending our civil rights it helped the right-wing populist Perussuomalaiset (PS).
Is the far right a threat to Finland?
An opinion poll of the presidential candidates by MTV3 revealed that Perussuomalaiset (PS) party hopeful Timo Soini, Sauli Niinistö of Kokoomus and Christian Democrat candidate Sari Essayah did not consider the far right to be a threat to Finland.
The PS is the PS of Finland no matter how you slice it
Perussuomaliaset (PS) party head Timo Soini reitereated plans on MTV3 to establish a new party that would be politically center-right. He said that in five years the PS would be a similar populist party like the Progress Party (FrP) of Norway and Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). Both of these parties are anti-EU, anti-immigration and especially anti-Muslim.
MTV3: Janne Virkkunen: Tulevan presidentin puututtava Suomen ahdistavaan ilmapiiriin
Helsingin Sanomien entinen päätoimittaja Janne Virkkunen on huolissaan Suomessa leviävästä ulkomaalaisvastaisuudesta ja vihakirjoittelusta. “Minua ahdistaa. Yhteiskuntamme ilmapiiri on tällä hetkellä sellainen, että suvaitsemattomuus vain nousee nousemistaan,” Janne Virkkunen sanoo.
The snow job of the far right in Finland
The shocking revelations in Germany, whereby 140 people have died since 1990 as a result of far-right violence, is a wake-up call for us in Finland as well. How is it possible that so many people are killed by a far-right terror cell without anyone raising a question?
The ever-embattled Soini of the PS of Finland
Perussuomalaiset (PS) party chairman, Timo Soini, appears more embattled every day as he watches with weary eyes polls. The latest one published by Helsingin Sanomat Saturdayshows racism to be more acceptable among PS supporters.
PS of Finland: Giving racism a new respectable face
A number of far right anti-immigration Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MPs have seen an image facelift after they were elected. PS MP Juho Eerola has seen the biggest transformation.
A-studio 7.11.2011 TV1 klo 21:00: Onko perussuomalaisilla yhteyksiä äärijärjestöihin?
It would be interesting to have a debate on Migrant Tales after the A-studio report today at 9pm that asks if the PS has connections to far right groups.
Using Finnish “fatherland” patriotism to justify neo-Nazism
The Ulla Pyysalo case has turned some Perussuomalaiset (PS) party faces red. Her name came up on a membership list of a neo-Nazi organization Suomen Kansallinen Vastarinta (SVL) after hackers broke into the www.patriootti.com website over the weekend.
If Finland is serious about stamping out racism…
If our society is a model of social justice for other countries to emulate, why would we tolerate discrimination and all types of racism? Which group are the biggest threat to our society: immigrants or anti-immigration groups?
HBL: Lipponen tar ställning mot svenskfientlighet och slutenhet
– Jag stämplar inte Sannfinländarna som parti, men det finns högerextremister i partiet och Timo Soini måste vara tydlig mot dem, sade Lipponen på FSD-kongressen i går.
An about-turn by the PS on racism?
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Tom Packalén expresses concern on an Uusi Suomi blog about recent hate crimes in Lieksa that have hit the national news. The former policeman appears to be exited by an article he read in Helsingin Sanomat quoting Muqtar Moalin Nuurin, head of the Somalian association of Lieksa, who said that Somalians are also to blame for the situation in Lieksa.
An “honest police debate” about rape with the help of an Islamophobist PS MP
What would you say about a policeman who wants to begin an open debate on Facebook about rape crimes committed by immigrants? He uses as one of his sources Islamophoibist Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Olli Immonen, who believes that it is only a question of time when there will be a “war of cultures” in Europe.
Phantoms that haunt us from history in Finland
When I moved to Finland over thirty years ago I left behind a troubled world: the scars of the Vietnam War, Watergate, dog-eat-dog capitalism, and the dirty war in Argentina (1976-83) that destroyed the country spiritually beyond recognition.
Finland’s belated response to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989
Finland lags behind Europe in some areas. Good examples are immigration and reaction to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Is the growth of right-wing populism in Finland today only a belated response to the demise of the former Soviet Union in 1991 and Berlin Wall?
Extremism in Finland and elsewhere grows on the same soil of hatred
The video clip blow is a frightening example of how far-right groups like the Nazi Party of the United States use the First Amendment (freedom of speech) to justify their hate speech. While it’s unlikely that the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party or even Muutos 2011 and Vapauspuolue will have summer camps with Nazi flags and members dressed in SS-like gear, they do believe in racial purity and loathe Muslims.
Violence and racism are always in the eye of the victim
Are the Perussuomalaiset (PS) a violent party? Despite a story that was published widely by the media last week, there were no conclusions made by an ongoing study that a part of the PS approves violence, according to think tank Demos. The British-based think tank will publish the results of a wider study on online populism in Europe later this year.
Finnish identity on one’s own terms
One of the matters that has turned me off about Finland for a long time is that I haven’t been allowed to embrace my Finnishness on my terms. By my terms I mean defining what Finnish identity means personally to me.
guardian.co.uk: English Defence League filling vacuum left by mainstream politics, says report
Mainstream political parties must tackle far-right groups through doorstep hearts and minds campaigns that tackle anti-Muslim sentiments at local level, according to two reports on challenging extremists.
PS’ Hirvisaari and his overkill of the media
Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP James Hirvisaari went on the rampage today by calling journalists “bloodthirsty hyenas” as well as “arrogant and lying scum.” He equated persu, the shortened term for Perussuomalaiset which is now a forbidden word in parliament, to nekru, or the n-word.
ESS: Hirvisaari lakkauttaisi Ylen
Perussuomalaisten kansanedustaja James Hirvisaari leimaa Yleisradion täysin ylimitoitetuksi ja kohtuuttomasti rahaa kuluttavaksi muinaisjäänteeksi, jolla nykymuodossaan ei ole olemassaolon oikeutusta. Hirvisaari vastasi sähköpostilla Etelä-Suomen Sanomien kysymykseen Yleisradion tulevasta rahoitusmallista. Hän ei suostu puhelinhaastatteluihin.
YLE in English: Lipponen condemns Finns party statements
SDP Presidential candidate Paavo Lipponen has warned the Finns party not to joke about basic democratic values. In Lipponen’s opinion it is now time to create clear boundaries for the hard right both in politics and in wider society.
Spiegel Online International: How 9/11 Triggered America’s Decline
The events of Sept. 11, 2001 led to a wave of solidarity with the US. But the superpower has lost that goodwill over the course of the wars it subsequently waged. Now America is mainly seen not as the victim of terrorism, but as a perpetrator of violence itself.
Ten steps to tame the beast of racism and prejudice in Finland
Like alcoholism, racism is a social ill that exists but is rarely recognized as a problem. In countries like Finland we are still debating whether racism and prejudice is a problem or not. How much must racism grow for us to accept it as a serious problem that threatens our present Nordic way of life?
The far right and the PS should know there is no such thing as selective hatred
Even if some anti-immigration groups try to make their message more digestible to voters, it should be clear after the tragic events in Norway that hate speech affects everyone. Selective hatred is a myth. If you loathe one group that poison spills over on other ones and eventually to all of society.
Exposing the language of anti-immigration groups in Finland and Europe
One of the most surprising factors behind the hate speech of anti-immigration groups is that it is never portrayed as hatred. Racists never admit in public they are racists nor do far-right groups claim that they are extremists.
A model for cultural diversity in Finland
While the term multiculturalism means many things to many people and groups, Finland is not officially a multicultural country. Nowhere in our laws will you find that magic adjective, multicultural. But taking that big leap from the perception of being a monolithic ethnic society from one that is multicultural like Canada is a tall order for any country. Even so, Finland needs today best practice models and values that promote and encourage inclusion and acceptance of our ever-growing cultural diversity.
HS in English NEWS ANALYSIS: As thick as a (message) board
The shocking mass murder in Norway on July 22nd has prompted a great deal of discussion within Finland about the Internet and about the hate-speech that emanates from some quarters of it.
PS politics: Problems conveniently disappear if you don’t exist
Ever wonder why immigrants and minorities are seen as outsiders in Finland with no history? Why do the majority of Finns, when speaking of these groups, usually talk in the present and future tense but rarely in the past tense? What are they really saying when they deny that racism isn’t a major problem in Finland?
Halonen cites the economy and racism as threats to Finland
President Tarja Halonen was quoted as saying on YLE that the government is facing two challenges after it returns from its summer holiday: the economy and racism. Her advice was calm, patience and not allowing hate speech to overtake our worst fears.
Spiegel Online International: Can Europe’s Populists Be Blamed for Anders Breivik’s Crusade?
Norway and the world are still struggling to understand the ghastly deeds of Anders Breivik, who was driven to kill by his hatred of Muslims. His confused worldview, which Breivik describes in a 1,500-word manifesto, was influenced by European right-wing populists. Do politicians and writers share some of the blame for his terrible crimes? By SPIEGEL Staff.
Ilta-Sanomat: Kansanedustaja: Tiedossa sisällissotia ja terrori-iskuja
Perussuomalaisten kansanedustaja Olli Immonen uskoo monikultturisen kehityksen Euroopassa johtavan tulevaisuudessa väkivaltaan.
Europe’s and Finland’s radical right: toning down diatribe rhetoric
We are seeing today how the impact of the killings in Norway have placed the far right and right-wing populist parties under greater scrutiny. If these parties are now forced to tone down their anti-immigration message that fueled their rise, will greater scrutiny dull their message and weaken them in the end?
Waging a war of “total words” in Finland and Europe
The Age of Chivalry died in the 2008 municipal election in Finland with the advent of “total words.” The ongoing war of words bring near memories of the former German concept of “total war,” which meant attacking undefended shipping, helpless civilians and breaking all the rules of wars prior to WW I.
Living in post 22/7 for Finland’s PS: Better late than never?
It is clear that matters are no longer the same for the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party after the horrific events that shook Norway and the world on July 22. Migrant Tales predicted a couple of days after the mass killings that they would cast a critical light on far right and right-wing populist parties like the PS, which have been riding the crest of the popularity wave thanks to their anti-immigrant and anti-Islam rhetoric.
HS.fi: Hirvittävä teko, mutta . . .
Perussuomalaisten kansanedustaja James Hirvisaari löytää syitä Norjan verilöylyyn ja tappaja Anders Breivikin toimintaan. Hirvisaari kirjoittaa ajatuksistaan Uuden Suomen Puheenvuoro-palstalla 24. 7. aloittamassaan keskustelussa.
Challenging Counterjihad and its racism in Finland
In order to challenge a social ill like racism we must be committed to challenging it. It is sad that it had to come to this, but the tragic events in Norway have given us the strength and resolve to grab racism in Finland by the horn. It is as if those 76 victims that died at the hands of Anders Behring Breivik are asking us to act for them.
The PS Counter-Jihadists are Soini’s biggest threat
For those who still believe that the mass killings in Norway will not impact parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS) and hate websites in this country should think twice. Migrant Tales was right: there is already clear evidence that living in a post-22/7 Europe has torn a hole in the argument of the anti-immigrant populists and extremists in Finland.
YLE: Soini: Suomen poliitikot käyttävät hyväkseen Norjan tragediaa
Ylen Päivän kasvo -ohjelmassa vieraillut perussuomalaisten puheenjohtaja Timo Soini sanoo, että Suomen poliitikot ovat käyttäneet hyväkseen Norjan murhenäytelmää yhdistämällä kaikki perussuomalaiset äärimielipiteisiin ja vihapuheeseen. Soini haluaa tehdä selväksi, että hän ei hyväksy väkivaltaa, ja katsoo, että viha on tuhoava voima.
Living in post-22/7 Europe: The tide has turned
One of the biggest blows to the far right and right-wing populist parties in Europe and the Nordic Region after the horrific events in Norway has been to seriously question their raison d’être: their provocative anti-immigration and especially anti-Islam discourse.
guardian.co.uk: The news coverage of the Norway mass-killings was fact-free conjecture
I went to bed in a terrible world and awoke inside a worse one. At the time of writing, details of the Norwegian atrocity are still emerging, although the identity of the perpetrator has now been confirmed and his motivation seems increasingly clear: a far-right anti-Muslim extremist who despised the ruling party.
HS.fi: Hommaforum suljettiin Norja-keskustelun takia
Maahanmuuttokriittinen keskustelupalsta Hommaforum suljettiin sunnuntaina. Sulkemisen syynä oli Norjan terrori-iskuista käyty kiivas keskustelu. Hommaforum aukeaa sunnuntai-iltana kymmeneltä.
Crossing a line in Norway and condemning it in Finland
When does a person or group cross the magic line from right-wing populism to far-right? The tragic events that struck Norway on Friday should help us to distinguish better where that magic line is and what our reaction to it should be.
Is there racism in Finland (Part 2)?
The first time I wrote an entry on this question on Migrant Tales was in May 2008. Back then, a thread by Mikko claimed that racism wasn’t even on the top-five list of problems in Finland. Is racism a serious social problem that needs to be addressed vigorously? Where do we begin?
Leave my multicultural Finnish identity alone!
Many of the arguments used by the anti-immigration camp in this country is based on myths from nineteenth century Finnish history. When these groups declare war on multiculturalism what they are revealing is their denial of our cultural diversity.
The New York Review of Books: A New Approach to the Holocaust
It is fruitless to reduce the manifold evil of the Holocaust to a single cause. Ideology, charisma, conformism, hatred, greed, and war were all very important, but each was related to the others and all mattered within rapidly changing historical circumstances. In his profound study Holocaust, Peter Longerich puts forward an analysis that includes all these factors and shows how politics or, as he puts it, Politik, set them all in motion. In this amplified English edition of his Politik der Vernichtung (1998), Longerich preserves the German term Judenpolitik, and with good reason. In German Politik means both “politics” and “policy,” and the compound noun (Juden + Politik) gives a sense of a joining of concepts that English cannot quite convey.
A PS city councilman’s “justified” racism
Perussuomalaiset city councilman Hemmo Koskimies is a good example of how some politician have lost touch with fairness and become the leaders of social-media lynch mobs. In a blog entry headlined, “Justified racism – a nigger lives alone in a 75 m2 home,” is an example of how low a PS politician can stoop to promote hatred.
Ten fallacies of the PS’ anti-immigration arguments
When I was a kid growing up in California we used to say phony baloney when a fellow classmate exaggerated or lied. If we look at the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party’s mindset and claims on immigration, I would certainly be one of the first to let out a vociferous cry: “Phony baloney!”
Who is responsible for the rise in hate crimes in Finland?
Apart from the usual social-media lynch mobs on the net, we have seen since the April 17 election a rise in hate crimes in Finland. The issue has escalated to such proportions that President Tarja Halonen has expressed concern over this problem.
MTV3: Rasistit joutumassa uuden hallituksen silmätikuiksi
Rasismin rajoittaminen voi saada uusia aseita seuraavassa hallitusohjelmassa. Kovempia otteita vauhdittaa muun muassa viimeaikainen julkisuuskohu perussuomalaisten kansanedustajan Teuvo Hakkaraisen lausunnoista.
HS: True Finns renounce racism, discrimination, and favouritism
True Finns MP Teuvo Hakkarainen was chided by his Parliamentary group on Wednesday for recent racist comments. The group also made public a statement condemning all types of racism, discrimination, and violence.
Denying racism is rejecting Finland’s cultural diversity
When one looks at some topical issues being debated in Finland, like the role of cultural diversity, and tries to understand them, it is essential to dig deeper behind words in order to see the big picture. What do the most anti-immigration voices of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) say when they are against multiculturalism?
HS: Ilta-Sanomat: Soini ottaa Hakkaraisen taas puhutteluun
Perussuomalaisten puheenjohtaja Timo Soini joutuu taas puuttumaan kansanedustaja Teuvo Hakkaraisen (p) ulkomaalaispuheisiin, kertoo Ilta-Sanomat.
Finland has been challenged by an anti-EU, anti-immigration and anti-Islam party
If I were the head of Finland’s secret police, Supo, I would have sent a long time ago my best agents to investigate whether there is a connection and well-orchestrated plan by far-right groups in Europe and Suomen Sisu to the Perussuomalaiset’s (PS) election victory in April.
Post-April 17 Finland: A protest vote against whom?
One reads and hears less these days about the reasons why the Perussuomalaiset (PS) scored such a big election victory in April. While voting and protesting are positive signs that our democracy functions, what did the voters actually contend? Political corruption? Immigration? Refugees? Mandatory Swedish? Ever-growing income gaps and social inequality?
Suomenmaa: Lapsellista sensuurihenkeä
Kansanedustaja James Hirvisaaren (ps.) puoliso Merja Hirvisaari on kannellut Julkisen Sanan neuvostoon median suhtautumisesta perussuomalaisiin. Hirvisaaren mielestä tiedotusvälineet yrittivät vaalien alla muokata kansalaisten mielipiteitä perussuomalaisia vastaan. Erityisen törkeänä esimerkkinä hän pitää persu-sanaa, jota hänen mukaansa käytettiin ”halventavana, pilkkaavana ja valheellisena mitätöinnin työkaluna”
Nelonen: Lipponen: Äärioikeisto asettunut perussuomalaisiin
Entisen pääministerin Paavo Lipposen mukaan perussuomalaisten äärioikeistolaiset on eristettävä, eikä heille saa antaa tuumaakaan periksi. Paavo Lipposen mukaan nykyiseen eduskuntaan on nyt asettunut äärioikeisto.
HS: Seitsemän kysymystä rasismista
Joskus ihmiset sanovat, etteivät ole rasisteja vaan maahanmuuttokriitikoita. Miten rasismi eroaa maahanmuuttokritiikistä?
Finland after April 17: Awakening phantoms of the past
What would Finland see if it took a long and deep look at itself in the mirror? Would it see racism? Xenophobia? The rise of right-wing populism? Denial?
Spiegel Online International: Strict Immigration Laws ‘Save Denmark Billions’
Denmark’s strict immigration laws have saved the country 6.7 billion euros, a government report has claimed. Even though Denmark already has some of the toughest immigration laws in Europe, right-wing populist politicians are now trying to make them even more restrictive.
True Finns: The first and last act of a tragic-comic play
Even if Finland has changed politically after Sunday’s election, there has been a greater about-turn among some True Finns. One particular group that from the anti-immigration Nuiva manifesto group now attempt to appear like respectable elected MPs conveniently brushing under the rug those terrible things they said about immigrants.
Finland election: A message that goes much deeper
After the election victory of the True Finns on Sunday, sensible Finns are asking Timo Soini’s party to bite the bullet and leave behind the rhetoric and racism that has tainted his party. But this may be easier said than done.
Suomen Kuvalehti.fi: Arvovaalit? Päinvastoin
Kun maahanmuuttovastaisuudestaan tunnetut ruotsidemokraatit viime syksynä näyttivät tuplaavan äänimääränsä Ruotsin valtiopäivillä, ruotsalainen yhteiskunta, media sen mukana, ryhtyi vastarintaan.
True Finns’ Soini lashes out at the foreign media
While True Finns’ chairman Timo Soini tries to calm Finns and the outside world that “we’re not extremists, so you can sleep safely,” an eerie lull prevails in Finland as talks begin on forming a coaltion government with Kokoomus, Social Democrats and the True Finns. Soini’s most recent outbreak was with the Swedish media, whom he branded on MTV3 as “unbelievable.”
Finland election: Where are the True Finns heading?
After the fanfare dies down a Herculean task awaits the True Finns after their Sunday victory: Which direction should Finland be heading if it sits in a coalition government with Kokoomus and the Social Democrats.
Finland 2011 election: A perilous watershed
Sunday’s election in Finland was historic for many reasons. For one it ushered in a populist far-right party with xenophobic elements to the Eduskunta (Parliament). In order to comprehend the new political landscape of Finland, we must ask to whom will such a victory be a threat and an opportunity.
Finland election: Flirting with isolationism and xenophobia
In our neck of the woods in the Nordic region, ultra-nationalistic and xenophobic parties have made their mark in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and most likely now in Finland on Sunday when the True Finns are expected to score a historic victory. Will the election embolden other xenophobic parties in this region and Europe? Will it send shock ripples in the EU?
Iltalehti: Perussuomalaisten ehdokas: Holokaustia on liioiteltu
Eduskuntaan pyrkii holokaustin kyseenalaistaja ja rotujen sekoittumista vastustava. Kansanedustajuutta tavoittelee useita perussuomalaisia ehdokkaita, jotka ovat allekirjoittaneet maahanmuuttovastaisen ns. nuivan manifestin. Osalla ehdokkaista on läheiset suhteet äärikansalliseen Suomen Sisuun.
Iltalehti: Intialaistaustaista ehdokasta syrjittiin vaalikentällä Persukahakka!
SDP:n ehdokkaan Ranbir Sodhin vaalitilaisuus Vantaan Myyrmäessä sai ikävän päätöksen viime lauantaina, kun perussuomalaisehdokkaan taustajoukot heittivät ilmoille syrjiviä kommentteja.