Icelands Hrur Torfason How to Beat the BankstersAlex Peitrowski, Contributor In response to the failed banking system, in October 2008, Icelands revolution against this financial tyranny began, rather casually in the street, in front of the Icelandic general assembly. In the duration of five months, the main bank of Iceland was nationalized, government officials were forced to resign, the old government was liquidated, and a new government was put in its place. By March 2010, Icelands people voted to deny payment of the 3,500 million Euro debt created by the bankers, and about 200 high-level executives and bankers responsible for the economic crisis in the country were either arrested or were facing criminal charges. In February 2011, a new constitutional assembly settled in to rewrite the tiny nations constitution, which aimed to avoid entrapment by debt-based currency foreign loans. In 2012, Icelands economy is expected to outgrow the Euro and the average for the developed world, as estimated by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. So how does a revolution like this take root and activate a citizenry to effectively respond to grand scale economic theft by bankers and politicians? Hrur Torfason, a lifelong activist from Iceland, is credited with organizing the Icelandic Kitchenware Revolution, beginning with a simple vigil in front of parliament aimed at educating passersby and ridiculing the blatant crimes of the elite who worked there. When the foreign financial community (the IMF and the European Union) pressured Icelands Parliament to pass laws dictating repayment of debts privately incurred by bankers, the revolution was formally ignited and nearly turned violent when some Icelanders began throwing rocks at the capitol, attempting to pressure the government for redress. Torfason and his supporters knew that a non-violent approach would be more effective, and formed a human wall of clearly marked orange-vested citizens between angry rock-throwers and the police line. Torfason believed that in order for a movement to be effective, one must use reason and information, as well as peaceful demonstrations, to send a strong message to politicians that the people refuse to pay the bankers debts. The end result of the peaceful resistance to economic tyranny is a model for all Western nations who are currently being gutted by a totally corrupt banking system. This story is much different than what has happened in the US since the banking crisis began in 2008. Large bailouts were granted to the bankers, and none of the responsible parties have faced criminal prosecution. And it appears that we are still at the mercy of the currency cartel and the dollar faces total destruction. In Iceland, the prime minister was indicted, over 200 criminal charges were filed against the bankers, and all of the former CEOs of the 3 biggest banks were arrested. The new government supported citizens by passing a banking remittance that forgave debt exceeding 110% of home values. As a result, banks have forgiven loans equivalent to 13 percent of gross domestic product, easing the debt burdens of more than a quarter of the population. (source: Bloomberg.com) Yes, the country continued to struggle economically after the 2008 revolution. But already today Iceland is thriving, with 2.9% growth in the economy in 2011, and 2.4% estimated by the OECD for 2012 and 2013. The lesson to be learned from Icelands crisis is that if other countries think its necessary to write down debts, they should look at how successful the 110 percent agreement was here. Its the broadest agreement thats been undertaken. Thorolfur Matthiasson, an economics professor at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik (source: Bloomberg.com) This is about our life and the future of the children, of the generations, of the young people. Hrur Torfason (source: http://vimeo.com/25824717) Resources: Sources: Alex Pietrowski is an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com, and an avid student of Yoga and life. linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 