In this episode we sit down with Þorbjörg Þorvaldsdóttir, a linguist and seasoned municipal politician, to discuss the controversial decision to dismantle the Reykjavík Human Rights Office last June 25. Þorbjörg explains the vital role the office played in aggregating data and advocating for marginalised groups—including immigrants, the queer community, and people with disabilities—across various city departments. The conversation explores the symbolic nature of these budget cuts, the alarming trend of political shifts away from progressive human rights protections, and the critical need for empathy and data-driven policy in local governance. The Reykjavík Grapevine has been published in downtown Reykjavík for more than 20 years. Every day, people drop-in to our office for various reasons.