Swedes are Fleeing
Swedes are leaving their towns and cities for other reasons as well, such as a lack of personal security. The frequently reported gang violence, assaults, shootings, bombs and car-torchings have been taking their toll. On August 31, Aftonbladet ran a story about Emma Zetterholm, who chose to leave Malmö with her family after living in the city for 18 years. "I still love Malmö but my family and I cannot live here" she told the newspaper. "The violence crept closer and closer to me, my relatives, friends and colleagues."
Six years ago,
Zetterholm moved into an idyllic area with old villas. Soon enough, however,
car-torchings, shootings and explosions filled the night. An illegal nightclub
operated close by and the noise around it -- explosions and shootings -- went
on all night. Neighbors who complained received verbal threats and stones
thrown through their windows. One day, a man was murdered in broad daylight,
close to a playground full of people. At other times, children were nearly hit
by bullets that had gone through windows.