US independence celebration in Vilnius disrupted as man attempts to tear down flag

A celebration marking the 250th anniversary of US independence at the Vilnius TV Tower was disrupted on Saturday when a young man climbed onto the American flag and attempted to tear it down, LRT.lt reports.

The flag, measuring 540 square metres and weighing 70 kilograms, was raised as part of the event and is the largest foreign flag ever displayed in Lithuania, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania.

Organisers quickly intervened, detaining the man and removing him from the scene before handing him over to police.

Earlier this week, Lithuania’s parliament unanimously adopted a resolution congratulating the US on its independence anniversary, describing Washington as Lithuania’s most important defence ally. President Gitanas Nausėda and acting Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė also issued congratulatory messages on Saturday.

The US declared independence on July 4, 1776.