A couple of thousand people gather in Riga center in protest against mandatory vaccination against Covid-19

  • 2021-08-18
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Tonight, a couple of thousand of protesters have gathers in Old Riga to protest against mandatory vaccination against Covid-19, LETA observed.

About 200 people had arrived by the Freedom Monument, guided by politician Ainars Slesers. His team addressed the audience, presenting activists of the new party - Latvia First (LPV). As the number of people were growing, they headed to the Riga Castle.

By the launch of the picket at 8:00 p.m., a couple of thousand people were gathered. Another picket was announced at Ratslaukums by the Riga City Council, but there were not that many people.

The number of protesters exceeds the currently allowed maximum number of people for public gatherings. There is police patrolling on the site and barrier have been set up. People do not observe the required distance and are not wearing masks.

As reported, parliament opposition lawmaker Aldis Gobzems (Law and Order) called on people to arrive to protests today. Activists from the new Slesers' party also joined the call.

Initially applications were submitted for three protest events, but later they all were withdrawn. By Tuesday afternoon one of the applications was renewed and another one submitted for a public event.

The State Police said it sees high provocation and violence escalation risks in these events and called on people not to join them. Also, the police said that it is important to observe all epidemiological safety rules.