Thousands stage protest in Helsinki

Around 4,000 protestors took part in the “Helsinki Calling” demonstration staged in Helsinki on Sunday ahead of Monday’s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, according to the organisers.

Police Superintendent Pekka Höök described the demonstration as “extremely peaceful”, reported the Finnish language daily Helsingin Sanomat. The procession started from Kaisaniemi and ended at the Senate Square.

According to the organisers, the demonstration was staged in support of human rights, democracy and environmental protection.

In a release they said, “volunteers organising the demonstration are united in their wish to draw attention to issues that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump prefer not to discuss and that are being threatened by their actions: freedom of speech and press; international security; multilateral international co-operation; and environmental protection.”

Finnish writer Sofi Oksanen was among the speakers who took to the podium at the Senate Square amid a huge applause. Oksanen said she belongs to a generation who believe in freedom of expression and democracy.

According to the national broadcaster Yle, “Helsinki Calling” demonstration gathered around 2,500 protestors, whereas a counter demonstration, “Welcome Trump”, organised by the Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) youth wing brought together around 50 persons.

According to the organisers, the demonstration was organised by a newly-established, non-partisan citizen alliance named Helsinki for Human Rights. The network consists of a wide variety of representatives of civil society, such as journalists, academics, writers, and entrepreneurs.

The visits of Putin and Trump are also expected to bring major disruptions to public transport on Monday between 11am and 8pm. All tram services in the city will be disrupted several times during the day, said the Helsinki Region Transport-HSL in a press release. The main streets may be closed and emptied for the presidential motorcades to pass through. Several bus routes will be diverted during the closures, causing major delays and disruptions to bus services across the region. Commuters have been advised to visit the Helsinki Regional Transport-HSL website to learn more about the planned changes.