Prime Minister Stefan Löfven gave a rousing speech in which he urged Swedes and Europeans to do their part to help out.
Prime Minister Löfven speaks to the crowd. Photo: TT
“It's cold and wet but it's warm inside” says Anders Lindh, 20, pointing to his heart #refugeeswelcome #Stockholm pic.twitter.com/QEne8Z0xLK
— Maddy Savage (@maddysavage) September 6, 2015
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on hand at the rally. Photo: TT
The event was supported by numerous charities including Rädda Barnens Ungdomsförbund (Save the Children’s youth wing), Ungdom mot rasism Stockholm (Young people against racism in Stockholm) and Röda Korsets Ungdomsförbund (the youth arm of the Red Cross in Sweden).
Elisabeth Dahlin at the rally on Sunday. Photo: The Local
Police and media starting to arrive for #refugeeswelcome rally which starts at 4pm #thelocalsweden #jagdelar pic.twitter.com/cRxm9J8lCq
— Maddy Savage (@maddysavage) September 6, 2015
The Stockholm rally was organised before images of a dead Syrian child washed up on a Turkish beach sparked debate around the world on Thursday, but gained momentum in the wake of international discussions about the photos.
READ ALSO: 'Sweden was right, the UK should be ashamed'
Aylan Kurdi, 3, was found dead on a beach in Turkey. Photo: Uncredited/TT
Medborgarplatsen, Stockholm. #flyktingar pic.twitter.com/pma55gF4cO
— Henrik Brors (@henrikbrors) September 6, 2015
Sweden currently takes in more asylum seekers per capita than any other EU nation. But while many Swedes have rushed to show their support for refugees in recent days, the nationalist Sweden Democrat party, which backs slashing immigration, is growing in popularity. Polls suggested last month that it is now supported by at least 18 percent of voters, in contrast to the 12.9 percent it polled a year ago in the last general election.