Every Saturday, demonstrators march from Odenplan to Gustav Adolfs torg in Stockholm to protest the war in Gaza. SL is now forced to reroute twelve bus lines and remove stops to accommodate the demonstration. The changes take effect on November 8 and apply until further notice.
The demonstration march, organized as a protest against the war in Gaza, starts every Saturday from Odenplan and ends at Gustav Adolfs torg in central Stockholm. One of the organizers, Mahyoub Hamarsha, states they will continue marching every Saturday until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza. The route was chosen in consultation with the police, who refer to constitutionally protected freedoms of assembly and demonstration. The police assess that the traffic impact is not sufficient reason to deny the permit.
Bus traffic is affected on Saturday afternoons between approximately 1:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The affected lines are 1, 2, 4, 6, 50, 57, 61, 65, 67, 69, 76, and 515, with varying impacts. For example, lines 1, 4, and 57 will be split, while several lines will have shortened routes. Line 65 will be fully suspended between 2:45 p.m. and 4:50 p.m., and then rerouted. Tram line 7 on Spårväg City may also experience temporary stops.
Opposition councilor Christofer Fjellner (M) criticizes the arrangements: “Blocking half of the inner city and disrupting Stockholm residents' daily lives every Saturday for the foreseeable future is not acceptable.” Mahyoub Hamarsha responds: “We understand that travelers find it inconvenient, but it is also inconvenient that so many people are dying in Gaza.” SL recommends that travelers choose other times or modes of transport such as the subway, commuter trains, or commuter boats. More information is available on SL's website.