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Anti-Nazi statue 'may fuel violence'

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The Swedish city of Växjö has blocked plans for a statue to be built in honour of a Jewish woman who hit neo-Nazis with her purse during a rally in 1985.

The incident was caught on camera and the iconic image was the inspiration for the proposed statue, which will not be made because, city officials said, it could "promote violence".

The decision prompted a nationwide protest, with Swedes placing handbags on statues around the country and posting images on social media.

However, friends and relatives of the woman, a Pole called Danuta Danielsson, told the press that she had suffered from mental illness and while she detested Nazism, she had no desire to be held up as a freedom-defending heroine.

They agreed with Växjö council's decision to block the statue, saying she always disliked the iconic picture and regretted her action after she was reported for violent behaviour.

The decision prompted a nationwide protest

Ms Danielsson committed suicide in 1988 by throwing herself from a tower in a psychiatric hospital.

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