The song was performed by Nilsen and a crowd of more than people in Youngstorget in Oslo and at squares across the country on April 26 , 2012 , as a protest against statements given in court by Anders Behring Breivik , the perpetrator of the July 22 attacks in 2011 . The performance was inspired by Facebook reactions after Breivik claimed in his trial testimony that the song was an example of Marxist propaganda and that it was being used to " brainwash " Norwegian children . Organization was made at the level of Norwegian Minister of Culture , and other Ministers of Culture from Sweden , Denmark , Finland , Iceland and the Faroe Islands were also present . The song was thus performed a few days later , in the midst of the ongoing trial . In Oslo the sing-along was followed by a march up to the site of the trial , where the crowd laid down flowers . The song was performed both in Norwegian and English , and Nilsen had personally contacted Seeger , who responded with the words : " Oh me , oh my . I wish you luck . " Psychiatrist Thor Kvakkestad criticized this public outpouring of emotions during an ongoing trial and called for a focused discussion about the hate that seems to be building in the Norwegian populace . He also compared the rally to a pillory
July 22 attacks
2011 Norway attacks
My Rainbow Race