Protests held in Vilnius against Lithuania’s support for US and Israeli military actions

Demonstrators marched in Vilnius on Saturday to oppose Lithuania’s political, economic, and military cooperation with the US and Israel, LRT reports. Parallel protests were also planned in Kaunas under the slogan “No to war!”

The rally began at Vincas Kudirka Square before noon, with participants proceeding toward Town Hall Square. Organisers demanded Lithuania immediately cease all forms of support—military, economic, or diplomatic—for what they described as “imperialist aggression and war crimes” by the US and Israel.

Speaking to journalists, human rights activist Ajus Jurgaitis condemned recent US-Israeli airstrikes in Southwest Asia, including a March attack on a girls’ school in Iran that killed over 170 people, mostly children. “We hear statements from our president and officials suggesting Lithuania intends to back these aggressor states committing war crimes,” he said.

Protesters carried signs equating US actions with those of Russia. “Opposing one empire doesn’t mean we should support others committing equally brutal crimes,” Jurgaitis clarified. Amira Dayekh, a Lithuanian-Lebanese organiser, added: “Today we must condemn not only the crimes themselves but Lithuania’s complicity in enabling them.”

The demonstration was coordinated by groups including Poppies Palestine Action Vilnius, the Jewish movement Vilne Bund, university student collectives, and social centres Emma and Luna16.