20,000 expected in Riga protest

RIGA-Old Town'sDome Squarewill be flooded with people on Jan. 13 as tens of thousands are predicted toturn out to protest the current economic and political situation.

Aigars Stokenbergs head of the Society for a different Politic party toldreporters that he estimates over 20,000 people to flood the square, emphasizingthat the protest will be peaceful. According to the Latvian Police Union,approximately 1,000 policemen will be present as well.

Stokenbergs had recently submitted an appeal to President Zatlers, askingfor the dissolution of the Saeima, saying that they were unable to fulfill thefunctions for which they were appointed.
Unfortunalty, Stokenbergs stated that Zatlers would not be in town on Jan. 13to see the protest and the outpouring of support for dissolving the Saeima.

Among the demands for the protest are for Zatlers to decide on dissolving theSaeima within one months time.

The rally begins at 17:30 on Jan. 13 and is expected to go for two hours.