Vigrid (Norway)


Vigrid is a Norwegian organization which combines racial teachings with imagery derived from Norse mythology. Vigrid was founded by Tore W. Tvedt on 1 January 1999. In 2009 the group registered as a political party, and ran for the parliamentary election, receiving 179 votes. The organisation is widely regarded as neo-Nazi. Tore Tvedt announced his retirement on 17 November 2009, however, the organization appears to be still functioning, and still under his leadership. The name Vigrid is derived from the plain Vígríðr from Norse mythology. Apart from Tvedt, Vigrid has also been led by Thorgrim O. Bredesen.

Ideology

Vigrid claim that races or nations other than the Aryan are guilty of turmoil and problems around the world. These views are similar to other far right groups such as 1930s Nasjonal Samling. The organization consider Adolf Hitler as a "savior" and "salvator of Europe", and claim to believe in the need to protect the white race against extinction due to increased immigration of what they call racial promotion.
Vigrid claims that the number of Jews killed in the Holocaust during the Second World War was exaggerated, and claims that the deaths were the result of the Allied bombing, not Nazi genocide. They claim that Jews exploit the Holocaust for political and financial support. They, therefore, denote the Holocaust as "HoloCa$h" and the United States as "Jew$A". They also profile themselves as friends of Palestine on their websites, and criticize the Israeli actions in occupied Palestine. Vigrid is also strongly opposed to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, blacks and homosexuals.
Vigrid claim to be an organization that distances itself from all use of offensive violence. Despite this, the Norwegian Police Security Service has characterized the ideology of Vigrid as violent, and several of its members have been involved in aggravated assaults. On several occasions, former Vigrid members have claimed that weapons and drugs are not uncommon. Vigrid also recommends that its members arm themselves within the statutory framework.
The organization regards the Norse god Odin as the creator of the universe.

Parliamentary election, 2009

On 18 December 2008, Vigrid delivered the required list of 500 signatures to the county of Buskerud to be able to participate in the parliamentary election on 14 September 2009. The list was approved by the electoral committee on 27 May 2009, after it had verified that the 500 signatures were willingly given by Norwegian citizens with the right to vote in the parliamentary election in Buskerud. The first two candidates on the list were:
The list received 179 votes in Buskerud.

Conflict over use of heritage site

A 7 August 2012 article in the local newspaper Gjengangeren, where Tore Tvedt described how Vigrid uses the heritage site Borre mound cemetery in Vestfold for their initiation ceremonies, caused an uproar among local politicians, including the mayor of Horten. The municipal presidency unanimously decided to issue a declaration condemning Vigrid's use of the site. Vigrid is accused of abusing the park and the document demands that the organization ceases to use the area. The politicians argue that "Vigrid's racial theories and political profile are completely at variance with the heritage values we believe the park to represent." The declaration also promised that the presidency will coordinate measures between the proprietor and the administration of the area as well as other public authorities to prevent future political misuse. Labour Party politician Nils Henning Hontvedt, who initiated the declaration, told Gjengangeren in a 21 August article titled "Declaring war on Vigrid" that were it not for the events of 22 July 2011 they would possibly have let the matter slide. Hontvedt also conceded that freedom of expression considerations and the absence of clear legislation may make it difficult to prevent Vigrid from using the park in the future.