This Day in Legal History – Norway Bans Twilight Books

Volume 1, Issue 6 (Originally Published on 1 April 2012)
 
April 1, 2008 - Norway Bans Twilight Books
 
On this day in 2008, the Norwegian Parliament enacted Twilightforbudvedtekt, otherwise known as the Twilight Prohibition Statute of 2008.
 
The controversial law, which banned the popular Twilight series of novels from Norway, was introduced in response to the public outcry which followed an incident at an Oslo middle school, where a group of students were showered with glitter and subsequently mobbed by girls who mistook them for vampires.
The students had been the subject of a ‘glitterbomb’ prank during the day. Due totheir pale complexion, the glitter sparkled quite brightly in the sun and led many female students to believe that they were vampires due to the similarities between their newfound appearance and that of fictional heartthrob Edward Cullen from the popular young adult novels.
 
The mob surrounding the glittering group soon became out of control, going so far as to tear the clothes off one boy and shatter the eardrums of another in their excitement.
 
Teachers commented that it was a miracle no one was crushed.
Three girls were charged with assault.
 
Following the incident, concerned parents demanded the books be taken off the shelves for the safety of all pale-skinned boys. Parents of girls also became concerned that their daughters’ minds were being warped by these strange novels.
 
In lieu of further incidences of stalking by teenage girls coming to light, the Norwegian government decided to take action.
 
Critically acclaimed author Stephenie Meyer unsuccessfully brought an appeal against the ban, which had garnered considerable outrage from Norway’s youth.
Members of both Team Edward and Team Jacob united to protest the ban, putting aside their differences to throw support behind the appeal.
 
*The layout editor is in Team Edward