Experience of 1991 barricades shows importance of quick decisions and initiative - Silina

RIGA - The experience of the barricades of 1991 in Riga confirms shows the necessity of quick decisions and initiative, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) said Friday at a conference to the 35th anniversary of the 1991 barricades called "The January 1991 barricades as an expression of popular resistance to a totalitarian regime and lessons for today".

The politician noted that in January 1991, everyone was aware that the barriers in the streets could not stop the tanks, but the barricades showed that "the strength of spirit can be stronger than the troops" and that the people can stand like a wall not with weapons, but with their determination.

In the prime minister's view, the barricades demonstrated a sense of values and solidarity as no one asked what the price would be, and the people just did what had to be done - decision-makers trusted the people and the people trusted decision-makers.

Silina said that the barricades required quick decisions, even quicker action, and initiative that came from the people themselves. She stressed that this is also needed now in the parliament and the government, in local governments and businesses, in NGOs and in society.

The prime minister said that the Latvia of today is being shaped and led by the children and grandchildren of the barricade participants, who have picked up the baton and whose duty it is not to lose the enthusiasm they had then. She added that the past year and the people who gathered in Dome Square proved that standing up for one's values is possible.

In conclusion, the prime minister thanked the participants of the 1991 barricades for their courage and freedom and called on them to continue building Latvia today with the warmth of the barricades bonfire in their hearts.

This year, Latvia marks the 35th anniversary of the the 1991 barricades, which were organized by the Popular Front of Latvia and built and manned by patriots from all regions of Latvia in what became a unique example of nonviolent protest against Soviet rule.

Construction of the barricades in Riga began in the evening of January 13, 1991. The objective was to defend the building of the Supreme Council, the Television Tower, bridges over the Daugava River, and other objects of strategic importance. The Soviet special forces unit OMON took action on January 16. Roberts Murnieks, a driver working at the Ministry of Transport, was shot dead as OMON attacked the Vecmilgravis Bridge.

The bloodiest events were on January 20 when OMON attempted to assault the Interior Ministry building. Five people were killed: schoolboy Edijs Riekstins, two police officers - Vladimirs Gomonovics and Sergejs Kononenko, and Riga Film Studio cameramen Andris Slapins and Gvido Zvaigzne.