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25 July 2018, 11:12
Elin Ersson is being called a "hero" for her actions to save the man from deportation.
A video of a Swedish student is going viral after she stopped the plane from taking off in order to prevent a man who was on the same flight as her from being deported to Afghanistan.
Elin Ersson, 22, is a student activist from Gothenburg University in Sweden. According to the Daily Mail, she purchased a ticket from Gothenburg to Istanbul, where the man who was being deported was due to change flights to fly on to Kabul.
Once Elin realised the man was being deported, she refused to sit down, knowing that the plane would be unable to take off unless everyone is seated. She then took out her phone and streamed what happened on the plane.
In the video, she explains how the man "will most likely get killed" if he's deported. She also filmed a confrontation with an angry English passenger who tries to takeaway her phone, to which she responds: "What is more important, a life, or your time?"
Eventually, the man being deported is taken off the flight, as is Elin. She is then applauded by her follow passengers for her bravery.
According to the Daily Mail, Swedish authorities have since said the Afghan man will still be deported, although a date has not been set. They also claim the activist could face up to six months in prison for refusing to obey police orders.
This Swedish woman is a hero. She stopped the deportation of a man from Gothenburg to Afghanistan. She refused to sit down until he was taken off of the plane. Afghans, let's somehow recognize her from our community ? ❤️ 🇦🇫 https://t.co/CHz33O0AH2 #elinerrson
— ariana delawari (@arianadelawari) July 24, 2018
#ElinErrson This is what non-violent #Resistance looks like. The courage to act on one's principles is needed during these dark times worldwide. Kudos to all on that plane who stood with this beautiful brave young woman.
— LooksLike (@DomaLady) July 25, 2018
Elin Errson - this is a powerful example of how to use white privilege to make change. Also love and appreciation for the other passengers on the plane who chose to stand with her. https://t.co/JUlNSepj93
— Sailaja Krishnamurti (@DrSailajaK) July 25, 2018
Not all heroes wear capes ✊🏽Elin Ersson a brave Swedish woman who stopped the #deportation of a 52 year old man from Gothenburg to #Afghanistan. She refused to sit down until he was taken off of the plane. #Humanity https://t.co/8q254S625s #elinerrson https://t.co/8q254S625s
— Kany Kazadi (@shesKany) July 24, 2018
But #ElinErrson’s courageous acts were driven by love despite all the fear that filled and surrounded her. What a superhuman. ❤️
— Rebel (@RebelRoseWrites) July 25, 2018
If you can read this, Elin, you are my shero. A legend & your bravery will be immortalised in our memories. ✊🏼