Thousands defy Breivik with music

Some 40,000 people participate in the singing of ‘Barn av Regnbuen’ (Children of the Rainbow) in Oslo. The song has become a symbol of the July 22 massacre victims. AP photo

Facing terrorism with music, tens of thousands gathered in squares across Norway to sing a children’s song that gunman Anders Behring Breivik claimed is being used to brainwash young Norwegians.

Some 40,000 people converged for a protest at a central square in Oslo in the pouring rain to sing the 1970’s song “Children of the Rainbow,” a Norwegian version of American folk singer Pete Seeger’s “Rainbow Race.” Later they laid roses on the steps of the courthouse in memory of those killed in the massacre last July. In testimony last week, Breivik mentioned the song as an example of how he believes “cultural Marxists” have infiltrated Norwegian schools, triggering a Facebook intiative to organize yesterday’s protest.

Shocked by Breivik’s lack of remorse for his massacre, Norwegians by and large have decided the best way to confront him is by demonstrating their commitment to everything he hates.