Finnish clowns mock anti-immigrant patrols by surrounding them in song

Two rival groups patrol the streets of Tampere, Finland. One is an anti-immigration group called the Soldiers of Odin. The other is a collective of clowns, the Loldiers of Odin, thoughthe Loldiers argue that they're both clown patrols.

The first group began their patrols late last yearin a townnear the Swedish border, carrying signs saying "Migrants not welcome," Reuters reports.

TheSoldiers of Odin,named after the Nordic god,havebeen criticised by the current conservative coalition government for attempting to play vigilante.

Thatdoesn't mean that they can't be intimidated, however, likewhen a group of clowns surrounded them inTampereSaturday evening.

TheLoldiers, a portmanteau of Soldier andLOL, posted a video of the scene in which they sang anddanced around the other patrol group.The Soldiers of Odin members appear huddled in a circle, before hastily walking down the street,

"We told them we want to patrol the street again and again with them, but they went home! So we sung them farewell song after that. Maybe they had to go to sleep?" Daffodil the Clown told CBC News in an email.

The clowns began patrolling in response to the Soldiers of Odin, who in the last half year have grown to at least five citiesthroughout Finland.

Their websitesaid, before it was taken down, that "Islamist intruderscause insecurity and increase crime," according to Reuters.Police have linked members to criminal organizations.

The Helsinki Times reported that a member harassed a group of immigrantsand demanded that they show ID to prove they weren't Muslims.

"The night was dark and full of terror, we spread some fun to correct this error!" said Daffodil.

A member of the Loldiers mentioned that they assumed it was part of a larger clown trend.

"Even though people laughed at us, people laughed way more at them, so they must be the better clowns,"Pelle Satatuhatta told CBC'sAs It Happens. He also mentioned the Soldiers of Odin had only recently come to Tampere.

As It Happens6:30Troupe of clowns mock anti-immigration group patrolling Finnish streets

A bunch of clowns in Finland have taken to following around a local anti-immigration vigilante group.

Many of the Loldiers walked about the streets of Tamperewearing a mixture of pyjamas, bathrobes,red noses and white face makeup. One of them carried a flag with the words "Sieg Fail," written on one side, and a disjointed swastika on the other.

In the video, a man with a Vikinghelmet called himselfOdin anddeclared, "The streets are now safe for everyone!"

Meanwhile, dressed entirely in black, the Soldiers of Odin did not appear to think the clowns were all that funny. When the Loldierscatch up to the group, they huddle together before storming away.

The clowns ask if they can join in next time, thoughSatatuhatta said they haven't been seen since.

A member of the group later posted on the Soldiers of Odin Facebook page, "Some anarchist clowns trying to provoke us. Pffffffft lol."

As for whether they plan to try to keep joining their more dangerous looking counterparts, the Loldierssay that they'll come back around when people need to be cheered up.

"We will be anywhere any time you never know, we come as a surprise," Daffodil said.