Tell our readers more about Your organization - what is it fighting for?
Our organisation is a street-defence group composed of native European nationals from many walks of life who are committed to the protection of vulnerable people from assault by way of public patrols in high-risk areas. What we fight for is safety for all people on the streets of Europe, regardless of their background or origin in the wake of the European Migrant Crisis.
What are Your successes and problems solving Your aims?
Successes related to our group have been an increase in security and deterrance of assault crimes in public areas, as we make ourselves as visible as possible. This also extends to escorting people home at night and giving assistance to survivors of domestic abuse in the form of relaying information about abusers and requests of home defence from survivors, should it come to that. We also spread news via our social network pages of convicted assault criminals and what areas they are residing in, or have been seen in. Our main problems have been media slander and distortion of public perception. The vast majority of people we speak with in public have been in favour of us, however, interviews we have given with newspapers in the past have been selectively edited to present us as a vigilante group, which we do not condone in any form.
Do You think that it is possible to stop immigration to the West? How?
It is possible to regulate immigration to the West. Freedom of travel is a fundamental part of the liberty represented by Western values, however, as with all public matters, rules and regulations must apply. Legislation is currently being debated in several countries around Europe, such as in the UK after the majority of the population voted to leave the European Union. As we are a legitimate and law-abiding organisation, we support a regulation of immigration through legislation via popular support.
What are Your biggest challenges and victories fighting with criminals that came from abroad?
Our biggest challenges have been effectively acting as a deterrent to crime while remaining within the law. So far, we have remained successful in this matter, as no member of the Soldiers of Odin has been convicted of a crime while acting in the capacity as a Soldier of Odin. Another challenge would be that many migrants who are of adult age are falsely registered as children, which can hamper our ability to intervene physically in the event of a street assault on a member of the public. False identities and frequent internal relocation of migrants within nations also makes the reporting of crimes to the police problematic.
Who can enter Your organization? How is it working (as much as You can talk about it)?
Any Western native, male or female, over the age of 18 may join our organisation, on the condition that they are prepared to accept the responsibilities and requirements that will be asked of them in relation to street defence and contributing in a constructive manner to the group. There are no financial obligations in joining the Soldiers of Odin, and all of our uniforms are sold at cost-of-production prices only. Our group operates in autonomous national groups. Different countries may set different standards if they wish, so long as they stay within the boundaries set by our original group in Finland. Should a country's group gain enough members, or if a country is geographically large, they may further divide into sub-groups, along regional boundaries. Most communication is done via social media or through private online messages, as it can be difficult for members to travel between different countries. However, we do meet in person whenever possible to discuss group business, and to set schedules for patrols, as we usually patrol once we have ten or more members available, but many patrols have been much larger than that.
Our group does not solely meet for patrolling purposes; we also meet socially, organise events and, like all people, enjoy ourselves every once in a while. It also increases our cultural understandings, as the network of members from around Europe puts us in contact with people of all languages, backgrounds, and religions. This, we feel, is an integral part of why our group has been able to expand so steadily, as cultural and linguistic barries between different Europeans are broken down. It also gives our members an opportunity to improve themselves, and to become part of a noble ideal, and to make Europe a more civilised and progressive place for everyone.
Thank You.
