20,000 expected in Riga protest

  • 2009-01-13
  • TBT Staff

The normally calm Dome Square in Riga may see up to 20,000 protesters on Jan. 13. Photo: Toms Baugis

RIGA-Old Town's Dome Square will be flooded with people on Jan. 13 as tens of thousands are predicted to turn out to protest the current economic and political situation.

Aigars Stokenbergs head of the Society for a different Politic party told reporters that he estimates over 20,000 people to flood the square, emphasizing that 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, asking for the dissolution of the Saeima, saying that they were unable to fulfill the functions for which they were appointed.
Unfortunalty, Stokenbergs stated that Zatlers would not be in town on Jan. 13 to 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 the Saeima within one months time.

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