The document summarizes civil resistance responses to several terrorist attacks in Western countries between 2011-2015. It describes how in each case, large peaceful demonstrations were organized to honor victims and show solidarity. Political and religious leaders emphasized defending democratic values of freedom and equality over fear or restrictive measures. The media called for national unity and avoiding reactions that could empower terrorists. Overall, the summaries show how communities came together through nonviolent action after attacks to protect open societies.

1. Étienne Godinot
Translation : Claudia McKenny Engström
.26.06.2017
Slides « Towards a nonviolent civil defence »
Diaporamas n° 3
Resistances against dictatorships, coups d’état and terrorism
3.4 - Civil resistance
against terrorism

2. Slides n° 4
Resistances against dictatorships, coups d’état and terrorism
4.3 - Civil resistance against terrorism
Contents
• Norway, July 2011
• Belgium, May 2014
• France, January 2015
• Denmark, February 2015
• Tunisia, April 2015

3. Slides n° 4
Resistances against dictatorships, coups d’état and terrorism
4.3 - Civil resistance against terrorism
- 1
July 2011: Civil resistance
after terrorist attacks in
Norway
Photo : Flowers in homage to victims on central square in Oslo.

4. Two deadly attacks
On 22nd July 2011, at 3. 26 pm, a bomb explodes in
Regjeringskvartalet, the governmental quarter in Oslo,
outside the office of State minister Jens Stoltenberg and
other governmental buildings. The explosion kills 8 and
wounds 15.
2 hours later, in a youth camp organised by the Youth
Labour League (AUF) of the Norwegian Labour Party
(AP), on the island of Utøya, a sniper disguised as a
police officer opens fire on the campers, killing 79 and
wounding 33.
Photos :
- Explosion in governmental quarter
- Victims being repatriated from Utøya Island.

5. An extreme-right nationalist
The author of the attacks, Anders Behring Breivik, 32, had
resigned from the Progress Party, right-wing movement he
believed was too “politically correct”. In a manifest
published on the internet just before the attack, he
developed his support to a “cultural conservatism”, to ultra-
nationalism, to right-wing populism, to islamophobia, to
Zionism, anti-feminism and white nationalism. He
denounces “cultural Marxists”, who, according to him, let
Islam colonise Europe.
After his trial (16-24 August 2012), during which two
psychological analysis conclude in two contradictory
results, he is sentenced to 21 years imprisonment without
remission, the maximum sentence in Norway.

6. Media calls to not give in to fear
In an editorial published the following day, on 23rd July
2011, the newspaper Dagbladet called Norwegians to
not give in to fear and to the temptation of over security.
“We do not want a Norway that increases restrictions on
free movement, more uniforms and thus, more intrusion
in our private lives (…). If that were the case, that would
mean terrorists have won. We want a Norway grounded
on values of freedom and equality, the same values so
important to those who gathered on Utøya, and which
are so important to most citizens of this country (…).
Police now has to investigate and prevent criminal acts,
and it is for Courts to judge them. Our task is to make
sure they do so within the legal framework that is ours.”

7. The Prime Minister : “We will never give up our values”
A few hours after the massacre, Prime Minister Jens
Stoltenberg declared in a press conference :
“ I have a message for the authors and those standing behind
them (…). You will not destroy our democracy and our efforts
to make the world a better place (…). This evening and
tonight, we are going to take care of each other, talk together
and stay together. Tomorrow, we will show the world how
strong Norwegian democracy is (…).
We will never stop defending our values. We must show our
society is ready to face this challenge, and that the answer to
violence is even more democracy and humanity, never
naivety. We owe it to the victims and their families.”

8. “ Each one of us can defend freedom ”
The day after the massacre, Jens Stoltenberg declares :
“We have three things to do :
- help those who are in mourning;
- watch out for all signs of extremism. We must counter
hate with arguments, help those who have lost
themselves, oppose those who want to use violence,
confront them with all the strength of democracy;
- create the conditions to live a safe life.
We need you. Each and every one of us shall take the
responsibility of defending democracy. Each and every
one of can defend our freedom.
Photos: Jens Stoltenberg in compassion with the victims.

9. The King : “ Freedom is stronger than fear ”
The day after the massacre, King Harald V declares :
“ It is when our nation is put to the test (…) that
solidarity and courage of the Norwegian people are
revealed (…).
I firmly believe that freedom is stronger than fear;
I firmly believe that our Norway is a democracy and
open society.
I firmly believe in our capacity to live together in
peace in our country ”.

10. Dignified demonstrations
On 25th July, demonstrations in homage to the
victims are organised across the country.
In Oslo, almost 150 000 people take part in the
“rose march”, which prolongs itself until dusk into
a “candle march”.
Gatherings take place in other cities too.

11. Oslo Mayor :
“ More generosity, more tolerance, more democracy ”
Fabian Stang, Oslo Mayor and member of the
Conservative party, declares :
“ No call for hatred, no lynching, no misconduct. People
have transformed pain into power, anger into will, the will
to not let a murderer destroy their society (…). Together,
we will punish him. And his punishment will be more
generosity, more tolerance, more democracy ”.

12. Resistances against dictatorships, coups d’état and terrorism
4.3 - Civil resistance against terrorism
- 2
May 2014: Civil Resistance in
Belgium after terrorist attacks
against Jewish Museum in
Brussels
Photo : Flowers in front of the museum after the attack.

13. “ A perverse and lost young man ”
On 24th May in Brussels, a man enters the Jewish Museum in
Belgium, on Minimes Street. He kills 4 people: an Israeli couple,
a museum staff and a French volunteer.
On 30th May, the author, Mehdi Nemmouche, is arrested in
Marseille in possession of military weapons. French-Algerian,
placed at 3 month old in foster care, he has already been
sentenced several times. He radicalised in prison and went to
Syria, where he fought with ISIS in the civil war.
French journalist Nicolas Hénin, whose gaoler he had been from
July to December 2013, describes him as a “ perverse and lost
young man ”.
He was extradited and imprisoned in Belgium.

14. Public and civil society reaction
The day following the shooting, hundreds of people, including
Belgian politicians, gather close to Brussels Court house. On
the same day, Brussels population, including rabbi Pevzner,
march before the museum all day long, where they leave
flowers.
On 27th May, rights before the European summit, many
heads of State and governments pay homage to the victims
at the museum.
On 30th May, a tribute is read in all secondary schools in
Brussels, at 11.30. The Municipal Council sits at the
Dachsbeck high school reading.
Photos :
- Flowers in homage to the victims in front of the museum
- Mayor Yvan Mayeur and council at Dachsbeck high school.

15. Brussels Mayor : “ Resist the logic of hatred ”
Socialist Mayor Yvan Mayeur declares :
“That life in our neighbourhoods is suddenly stopped by
murder concerns us all. Faced with such an anti-Semite
terrorist attack, we must resist the logic of hatred, that
undermines confidence in democracy’s capacity to protect
us. Democracy remains the best protection against
banalisation of violence”.
He finishes his speech quoting Martin Luther King :
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. Indeed, it is a
weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and
ennobles the man who wields it.”
Photos :
- Yvan Mayeur, Brussels Mayor
- Gathering at Dachsbeck high school.

16. Resistances against dictatorships, coups d’état and terrorism
4.3 - Civil resistance against terrorism
3
January 2015: civil resistance
in France and the world after
terrorist attacks in Paris
Photo : Demonstrators on Place de la Nation in Paris, 11th January 2015.

17. The 7, 8 and 9th January Slaughters in Paris
On 7th January, two men, French fundamentalists (photo below
left) enter newspaper Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, heavily
armed, and open fire. They kill 12 : journalists, policemen, other
staff. The attack is claimed by al-Qaeda on the Arabian
Peninsula (AQAP).
At the same time, a coordinated action led by their accomplice
Amedi Koulibaly, who assassinates a young police officer in
Montrouge on 8th January, and then kills 4 of his hostages on
9th January, in a Jewish kosher supermarket near the Porte de
Vincennes, in Paris.
Les frères Saïd et Chérif Kouachi Harith al-Nadhari (AQPA)

18. Social networks, Head of State
In total, 20 are killed (including the 3 terrorists), and 20 are
wounded.
Many solidarity movements take place spontaneously on social
movements with the hashtag “Je suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”),
on twitter and Facebook shortly after the attack.
The President of the French Republic, François Hollande,
declares 8th March National Mourning Day, and increases the
Vigipirate plan. Calling for national unity, he meets former
Presidents and representatives of political parties.
François Hollande meets with Nicolas Sarkozy →
← 6 of the journalist victims.

19. Religious representatives, media and companies
Religious (Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist) representatives,
following the Presidents declaration, pronounce a common
declaration.
Flags are flown half-mast during 3 days, the bells of Notre Dame
Cathedral ring.
Logos of television channels are covered with a black ribbon.
In companies, moments of silence are organised.
72 French and International newspapers pay homage to Charlie
Hebdo in their own title.
Le Monde

20. Buildings and public equipment
Calls for solidarity are launched on Internet, namely via
Avaaz.
Shops,
buildings,
advertisement panels,
motorway signs,
all bear the words “I am Charlie”.

21. Demonstrations
On 10th January, demonstrations take place in many
French towns, gathering over 700 000 people.
On 11th January, 44 heads of State and Government
march in Paris during the “Republican March”.
Almost 4 million people demonstrate all over France,
led by their political representatives; 1,5 million in Paris.
Many demonstrations take place all over the world.
Demonstration in Marseille …in Paris

22. National cohesion
Demonstrators acclaim police forces, emergency and
rescue services.
The national cohesion in that moment and mobilisation of all
representatives of society in France and abroad illustrate
how defence against aggression and barbaric actions
should be organised :
nonviolent coordinated action of public
authorities and civil society.

23. Learning the lesson and taking necessary measures
The civil spirit and great momentum must be continued
notwithstanding analysis and lucidity.
Lessons shall be learnt and measures taken, in diverse domains :
- security measures (surveillance of people suspected of
fundamentalism, border control, etc.)
- foreign policy, namely towards regimes training and financing
terrorists
- prison services, avoiding they become crime schools (photo above)
- schools, education in families
- integration and employment in deprived areas
(photo below)

24. Resistances against dictatorships, coups d’état and terrorism
4.3 - Civil resistance against terrorism
- 4
February 2015 : civil
resistance in Denmark
after terrorist attacks
Photo : Flowers in homage to the victims in front of Copenhagen
Synagogue

25. Two attacks, 2 killed, 5 wounded
Le 14 février 2015, à 15 h 33, des tirs d’armes automatiques
sont commis au centre culturel Krudttønden, dans le quartier
d’Østerbro à Copenhague, lors d'une conférence publique dont
le thème est "Art, blasphème et liberté d'expression",
organisée pour rendre hommage aux victimes de l'attentat
contre Charlie Hebdo du 7 janvier 2015. La cible principale est
l’artiste et caricaturiste suédois Lars Vilks, dont la tête est mise
à prix par Abou Omar al-Baghdadi, chef de l'organisation de
l'État islamique d'Irak. Un participant est tué, 3 policiers
blessés.
Le 15 février à 00 h 50, le même assassin tue un membre de
la communauté juive et en blesse 2 policiers à la grande
synagogue de Copenhague.

26. The author, “a good boy” who became an extremist
The terrorist, Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein, Danish citizen of
Palestinian origin, is shot down by the police a few hours later
after a fire exchange.
He comes from a deprived area housing circa 2500 people,
95% immigrants or of immigrant descent. Good student,
intelligent and helpful, isolated and distant, testimonies say he
could be aggressive, especially under the influence. Known of
by police services for acts of violence and possession of armed
weapons, he is anti-Semite.
His radicalisation started during detention. He swore allegiance
to ISIS -Daech
Photos :
- Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein
- ISIS flag

27. 30 000 demonstrators
Thousands of people leave flowers, candles, messages
of solidarity for families and victims.
The evening of the attacks, 30 000 demonstrators (photo
above) pay a silent homage to the victims, determined to
not let themselves be impressed by the terrorists and
defend their open and solidary society.
Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt declares : “ I want
to tell all Danish Jews tonight: you are not alone. When
others try to terrorise you and separate us, our answer
will always be the one of a united community ”.
Queen Margaret II (photo below) declares: “ It is important
that we stay united and preserve the values Denmark
was built on ”.

28. Prime Minister : “Freedom of the press will be preserved”
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, ex-President of Socio-Democratic
Party, Prime Minister, declares that Denmark will change
nothing to its laws regarding freedom of the press.
“ They want to annihilate our freedom of expression, our
liberalism and religious equality. This is not a fight between
Islam and the West, between Muslims and non-Muslims.
This is a fight between the freedom of individuals and
obscurantism (…).
We must clearly say that is not the Denmark we want. We
want to stay united, and we will always fight for our freedom
of expression and our democracy (…).
Our priority now is to fight against radicalisation of young
people. Our response will always be : a united community ”.

29. Consensus in the press
For the conservative newspaper Berlingske, “ all means should
be put into action : anti-radicalisation initiatives, efficient
information and determined reaction against those who use
terrorism against words and caricature ”.
The daily paper Politiken, centre-left, states the fight must
continue while living normally, as if nothing had happened : “
We must all realise that we are vulnerable with regard to terrorist
in a free society, terrorists who do not hesitate to threaten and
use violence, and kill (…). No weapon is stronger, faced with
extremism, that the daily lives we all lead together ”.

30. European Jews must stay in Europe
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu declared: “ We say to
Jews, brothers and sisters: Israel is your home. We are preparing
for mass immigration from Europe ”.
Jewish community spokesperson, Jeppe Juhl, declares to AFP that
Netanyahu’s call will not be followed.
Danish Great Rabbi, Jair Melchior confirms: “ Terrorism is not a
reason to flee to Israel (…)/ If, to combat terrorism, we run away,
we will take refuge on a desert island ”.
Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt reminds that “ the Jewish
community has been in Denmark for centuries. It is at home in
Denmark, is part of Danish society. We would not be the same
without it ”.
Photos :
- Benyamin Netanayahu, Israeli Prime Minsiter
- Jair Melchior, Danish Great Rabbi.