Previous 612 torch march on Runeberginkatu.
Credit score: Hannu Häkkinen, Museovirasto
Finland’s Independence Day took an incendiary flip in Helsinki, with protests, accusations of police bias, and alleged Nazi salutes.
Helsinki, December 8 – A controversial Independence Day took an incendiary flip within the Finnish capital, with fiery protests and accusations of police bias, in addition to far-right and far-left antics stealing the highlight. The annual 612 Torch March, branded “impartial” by organisers however broadly seen as a magnet for nationalist and far-right teams, collided with a counter-protest by Helsinki with out Nazis – and the outcomes had been explosive.
Marching into controversy
The 612 Torch March, which snaked from Töölöntori to Hietaniemi cemetery, was overshadowed by controversy as members of far-right teams Troopers of Odin and Energetic Membership joined the procession. Chillingly, a number of contributors had been seen giving Nazi salutes, whereas one marcher openly declared, “Helsinki for Nazis,” earlier than torching a banner seized from counter-protesters.
Among the many marchers was Finns Celebration MP Teemu Keskisarja, who shared the frontlines with Tuukka Kuru, chief of the fascist Sinimusta Liike. In a pre-march speech, Keskisarja scoffed at accusations of Nazism, calling them “nonsense.”
Clashes at Töölöntori
In the meantime, Helsinki with out Nazis mounted a protest at Töölöntori, refusing police orders to relocate. The police, citing authorized obligations to prioritise the first-notified annual 612 Torch March, moved in with riot squads, mounted officers, and canines to clear the sq..
Chaos erupted as 40 protesters had been arrested for resisting orders and obstructing officers. Police claimed demonstrators tried to grab tools and even a firearm, although no suspects had been caught. Protesters countered with accusations of extreme pressure, alleging officers elbowed contributors within the throat, inflicting some to faint, and charged into the group with horses.
Media gagged, questions raised
Journalists confronted a tricky time overlaying the skirmishes, with some alleging police blocked their filming of arrests. Whereas authorities denied any such coverage, the incident raised issues about media freedom in Finland throughout high-tension situations.
Divided opinions
The 612 Torch March reportedly drew round 500 contributors, whereas Helsinki with out Nazis mustered a crowd of 1,500–2,000. Earlier within the day, the overtly fascist Sinimusta Liike held a separate rally attended by 300 individuals.
An unrelated incident on the Oodi library added to the day’s drama when police detained a person taking part in loud music in protest towards the Sinimusta Liike occasion.
Déjà vu of the notorious 2022 demonstrations
This yr’s clashes echoed the notorious 2022 demonstrations, the place police arrested over 50 Helsinki with out Nazis protesters. The fallout prompted the Parliamentary Ombudsman to counsel re-evaluating police use of horses for crowd management – a debate now reignited.
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