2008 Icelandic lorry driver protests
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Icelandic. (December 2013) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
The 2008 Icelandic truck driver protests were protests started by truck drivers in Iceland through March−April 2008. The protest came about due to increasing oil prices and working hours.[1]
Background
[edit]In 2008, due to the 2008 Icelandic financial crisis, Icelandic oil prices were increasing rapidly, with one Icelandic reporting that fuel for his 4x4 truck cost as much as 12,000 kronas ($161).
Truck drivers began protesting against these prices, also aiming for lower tariffs on fossil fuels.[2]
Violence
[edit]Violence against protesters is very rare in Iceland.[3]
According to a person's iReport footage, somebody from behind the police barricade sprayed a can of fluid into the crowd, possibly CS gas, as one protester is seen rubbing their eyes a few seconds later.[4]
Aftermath
[edit]Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde told the Fréttablaðið newspaper, “I am very sorry this happened. It is not in consistency with Icelandic traditions to solve disputes with violence, but I believe it is necessary that police use the resources they have to protect public safety.”[5]
References
[edit]
- ^ Whiteman, Hilary (24 April 2008). "Iceland fuel protests heat up". CNN. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
- ^ "Demonstrations By Truck Drivers Get Out of Hand". Iceland Review. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ "Topic: Crime in Iceland". Statista. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ "Iceland fuel protests heat up - CNN.com". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ "Demonstrations By Truck Drivers Get Out of Hand". Iceland Review. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
 | This Iceland-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |