The flag culture wars have come to an unlikely place: progressive Iceland
Ahead of the Nordic nation’s EU referendum, the Icelandic flag has been co-opted by the far right
TL;DR
- The Grafarvogur Lutheran church in Reykjavik, Iceland, had its pride flag steps defaced with the Icelandic flag.
- This is the latest in a series of defacements, with previous incidents involving biblical references and general scribbling.
- The incident has raised concerns about the increasing use of national flags by far-right groups to push back against human rights and LGBTQ+ acceptance.
- Icelandic politicians are working to prevent the national flag from becoming a symbol of exclusion and are encouraging its wider use to reclaim it.
- Iceland is preparing for a referendum on reopening accession talks with the EU, influenced by global political uncertainties and national interests like fishing rights.
- There is a perceived link between anti-EU, anti-immigration, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments among those who are using the flag in a nationalist manner.