Conflict and Society: Advances in Research 4 (2018): 58–73 © Berghahn Books doi:10.3167/arcs.2018.040105 The Many Layers of Moral Outrage Kurdish Activists and Diaspora Politics Nerina Weiss  ABSTRACT: Tis article takes the expressions of moral outrage in an illegal demonstra- tion in Norway as a point of entry to explore how the political unfolds in Kurdish dias- poric spaces. Te premise for this analysis is that moral outrage among pro-Kurdish activists is an enduring, intergenerational process, the expression of which displays a multitemporality and multidirectionality. In order to explore the many layers of moral outrage this article proposes an analysis along the literature of political ritual and per- formance, which focuses on signifcation, symbolism, identity constructions, and the importance of audiences. I argue that Kurdish activists consciously perform their moral outrage to position themselves in relation to their host country, other Kurdish activists in Norway, and the larger transnational Kurdish community in Europe. As such, moral outrage turns out to be central in the enactment of Kurdish diaspora politics.  KEYWORDS: activism, demonstration, diaspora politics, Kurds, moral outrage, performance, Turkey “Turkish authorities have occupied Kurdish municipalities, arrested Kurdish mayors and appointed civil servants instead of those publicly elected. We, as Kurds, do not accept this and we will not remain silent like EU and Norway are!” — Kurdish activist, social media entry, 1 October 2016 An Illegal Demonstration in Norway Imagine the following situation seen through the lens of an activist video: Oslo Central Sta- tion during rush hour. In the arrival hall, under the information board, about 20 people sit or stand in a half circle. Flags of diferent Kurdish political and militant organizations, as well as fags with a picture of the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, are displayed. Some of these fags are thoroughly draped on the foor. Te demon- strators also hold signs reading “Do not touch our elected ofcials [ folkevalgt]” and “Silence = War Crime.” Te video starts with a young man chanting slogans: “Solidarity with Kurdistan!” Te camera sweeps over the participants, some of whom talk and laugh. Security guards walk around the group. Soon, the police arrive, and a few demonstrators try to engage them in dis- cussions but are pushed away. Te camera leaves the group and follows an activist as he talks to the police. Other members follow him and flm the conversation. In the background, the chant- ing has become more intense and rhythmic: “Dictator Erdoğan!” “Fascist Erdoğan!” “Long live