Icelandic police with riot shields on 23 April.

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

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

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

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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Protests by lorry drivers in Iceland (2008).
  1. ↑ Whiteman, Hilary (24 April 2008). "Iceland fuel protests heat up". CNN. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  2. ↑ "Demonstrations By Truck Drivers Get Out of Hand". Iceland Review. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  3. ↑ "Topic: Crime in Iceland". Statista. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  4. ↑ "Iceland fuel protests heat up - CNN.com". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  5. ↑ "Demonstrations By Truck Drivers Get Out of Hand". Iceland Review. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2021-12-10.


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