Next week from 13 to 15 June, the annual Folkemødet (Open Festival for People and Democracy, Ed.) will be held in Allinge on Bornholm.
Up to 60,000 gather in the picturesque village in the Baltic Sea and participate in public debates where politicians, business leaders and ordinary people meet in the open air.
Everything is carried out in peace and quiet and the police who are present rarely have much to do.
But recent loud demonstrations against Danish politicians in Kødbyen and in Fælledparken have caught the organizers of Folkemødet in a dilemma.
Disagreement is usually welcomed, and everyone has the opportunity to express themselves – also critical of Denmark’s rulers,
Mixed signals from the management
First, Folkemødet’s management sent out an e-mail to all the organizers and partners who gather for the debate on Bornholm.
In the message, the board suggested that organizers of debates could consider inviting protesters and activists onto the stage if they interrupt an event.
This led several Danish politicians to criticize that approach and to openly consider their participation in Folkemødet.
On Sunday evening, Folkemødet’s leadership tightened the instructions. Now applies:
• Persons and groups who deliberately destroy debates and shut down other people’s conversations are not welcome at the Folkemødet. The public meeting takes place in the public space and is therefore regulated by the laws, rules and rights that apply here.
• Folkemødet will not accept protesters who want to force access to a given stage or event. Folkemødet is responsible for the main stage, which will be guarded. Organizers are responsible for their own stages.
• The leadership encourages everyone at Folkemødet to participate in the democratic debate within the agreed rules of the game. All guests should follow instructions from stewards, hosts and the police. It provides the best framework for democratic conversation.
Folkemødet does not have trained guards who can expel or stop visitors to Folkemødet.
Volunteers keep an eye on valuables, some are security guards who help control large crowds and others are security guards who help guests if they have had an accident etc.
Overall security is enforced by the Bornholm Police.