Vilnius migration protests draw hundreds, police report incidents

Hundreds of people protested against mass immigration in Vilnius on Saturday, while more than 100 people held a counter-protest across the street. Police reported several incidents, including one woman being struck in the chest and needing medical attention, LRT reported.

The demonstrations took place around Vincas Kudirka Square and Gediminas Avenue. Organisers of the anti-immigration protest, the right-wing National Alliance party, expected about 500 participants. The counter-protest, called “Demonstration Against Racism,” was organised by left-wing activists and drew about 100 people, according to the latest estimates cited in the report.

Police said the two protests would be separated by about 50 metres. More than 200 officers were due to be deployed to maintain order. The municipality said it saw no threat and that the events were being held in accordance with the law on assemblies.

The National Alliance called for lower migrant quotas and the deportation of foreigners who have committed crimes. The counter-protest organisers said they were concerned that political rhetoric was spreading panic and misleading information about migration.

The migrant-rights organisation Sienos grupė also organised an event called “Wake Up from Hate” at 1 p.m. Its organisers said it was a response to an incident at a mosque in Kaunas and the National Alliance protest. They said they wanted to create a calm space for conversation and highlight that migration is part of the lives and stories of people and families living in Lithuania.

Several political parties told LRT they did not plan to attend the protests and would avoid extreme positions. Individual members of some parties were expected to participate in a personal capacity.

Tags: Vilnius, protests, migration