Swedish peace activist Martin Smedjeback just relayed the following story:
Twin sisters Ellen and Jonna in a small town in Sweden on December 13 boycotted a holiday singing event at the local arms production company Saab Bofors Dynamics.
"We don't think it's all right to [perform] at a company that makes weapons, for examples missiles that kill people," the two eleven-year olds reportedly told their teacher as the class was invited to stage a traditional St. Lucia procession at the arms maker, which produces inter alia the Carl Gustaf and AT-4 anti-tank systems, used in conflicts worldwide.
The mother of the twins said their middle school teacher had tried to persuade her children to join the St. Lucia event, a semi-Christian, semi-pagan and highly traditional celebration where typically a procession of children or a choir sings Christmas songs and brings lights and sweets.
The teacher reminded the pupils of the arms producer's promised contribution to their school trip, and according to the girls said no one in the town had before refused the Lucia procession at Saab Bofors Dynamics, a major local employer.
The put-off teacher then made clear the conscience objection would be punished by extra time in school. But Ellen and Jonna stood by their decision, and the class sang without them on the company premises.
The family has mixed feelings towards their stand.
"The hardest thing were all the class mates who came and asked all the time why we wouldn't [sing]”, said Jonna and Ellen.
Their mother said she felt distress at the fact that her children had to put up with pressure but also pride at their display of moral will. She said she had found at least one other parent who shared the family's views and might raise the issue of a school policy towards the arms industry at a parental meeting.
The sisters were also empowered by their resistance act.
"I think I have done the right thing and I will do it again," said Jonna.
Twin sisters Ellen and Jonna in a small town in Sweden on December 13 boycotted a holiday singing event at the local arms production company Saab Bofors Dynamics.
"We don't think it's all right to [perform] at a company that makes weapons, for examples missiles that kill people," the two eleven-year olds reportedly told their teacher as the class was invited to stage a traditional St. Lucia procession at the arms maker, which produces inter alia the Carl Gustaf and AT-4 anti-tank systems, used in conflicts worldwide.
The mother of the twins said their middle school teacher had tried to persuade her children to join the St. Lucia event, a semi-Christian, semi-pagan and highly traditional celebration where typically a procession of children or a choir sings Christmas songs and brings lights and sweets.
The teacher reminded the pupils of the arms producer's promised contribution to their school trip, and according to the girls said no one in the town had before refused the Lucia procession at Saab Bofors Dynamics, a major local employer.
The put-off teacher then made clear the conscience objection would be punished by extra time in school. But Ellen and Jonna stood by their decision, and the class sang without them on the company premises.
The family has mixed feelings towards their stand.
"The hardest thing were all the class mates who came and asked all the time why we wouldn't [sing]”, said Jonna and Ellen.
Their mother said she felt distress at the fact that her children had to put up with pressure but also pride at their display of moral will. She said she had found at least one other parent who shared the family's views and might raise the issue of a school policy towards the arms industry at a parental meeting.
The sisters were also empowered by their resistance act.
"I think I have done the right thing and I will do it again," said Jonna.
