A photo of a woman resisting against a group of 300 neo-Nazis protestors in Sweden is going viral on the internet.
With her fist raised against the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM), the 42-year-old activist, Tess Asplund, attempted to block the path of right-wing extremist group members who marched in the town of Borlange on May 1, reports BBC.
While speaking to Swedish Radio, Asplund said her defiant gesture was inspired by the late Nelson Mandela, who spent a major part of his life fighting against apartheid in South Africa.
She said,”I felt when they arrived that they shouldn’t be here and spread their hate, I don’t think I was even thinking. I just jumped out. Things happened quite quickly. Then a police officer pulled me away.”
Asplund’s act was appreciated by many on social media. British author Ms Rowling praised her on Twitter which has been retweeted more than 8,000 times and liked by more than 15,000 people.
Look what this woman did. Tess Asplund, you are magnificent ❤️https://t.co/tvOGMM9TUD pic.twitter.com/18qHORBVZG
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 4, 2016
Here’s how others reacted:
This is what makes a hero. This is how we make the world a better place. #TessAsplund @tess_asplund pic.twitter.com/rSfw6NomDT
— Sean McEnaney (@SeanMcEnaney) May 5, 2016
Tess Asplund, my hero. ONE fist vs 300 neo-nazi extremists. Sweden, EU, 2016. pic.twitter.com/VbBDUvapZ4
— marko brumen (@multikultivator) May 4, 2016
Sweden: Tess Asplund stands up to 300 Nazis & refuses to let them pass. Thank U 4 your iconic defiant gesture #Hero pic.twitter.com/TgWunUIEqU
— Rain Riddim (@lilzouzouni) May 4, 2016
Tess Asplund facing down fascists in Borlange, Sweden.Strong, powerful, magnificent#Hate pic.twitter.com/38QNueLvjo
— Stan Keaton (@StanKeaton) May 6, 2016