Thousands of Norwegians gather to sing song Breivik hates

Around 40,000 people gather to sing a song hated by mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik during a protest in Oslo on April 26, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP

OSLO, Norway (AP) - Facing terror with music, tens of thousands gathered in squares across Norway to sing a children's song that gunman Anders Behring Breivik claimed is being used to brainwash young Norwegians.

The defiant Facebook protest against the right-wing fanatic took place as survivors gave tearful testimony on Thursday in his trial for the July 22 bombing-and-shooting rampage that killed 77 people, mostly teenagers.

Some 40,000 people converged at a central square in Oslo in the pouring rain to sing the 1970's song Children Of The Rainbow' - a Norwegian version of American folk music singer Pete Seeger's Rainbow Race. Later they were to lay roses on the steps of the courthouse in memory of those killed in the massacre.

In testimony last week, Breivik mentioned the song as an example of how he believes 'cultural Marxists' have infiltrated Norwegian schools, triggering a Facebook initiative for Thursday's protests.