Thousands rally in Vilnius to defend free speech amid government inaction

Around 10,000 people gathered in Vilnius’ Independence Square on Tuesday for another protest in defense of free speech, with demonstrators accusing lawmakers of ignoring public demands, LRT reports.

Many expressed frustration that their repeated calls for action have gone unanswered. “It feels absurd to be ignored like this—we wait, they turn away, and nothing changes,” one participant, Dovilė, told LRT. “The dust settles, and they keep doing the same thing, just more quietly this time. But people are watching, and that’s what matters.”

Others acknowledged a shift in momentum since earlier protests but stressed the importance of persistence. “The energy isn’t as intense as when this started, but we’re here for the long haul,” said Vaiva. “We’ll keep coming, no matter how long it takes. It’s been a while since the last big protests, and things have quieted down, but the hope remains that resistance will pay off. Everyone should care—those of us born in independent Lithuania may not fully grasp what it’s like to live under censorship, but we’ve seen where that path leads. If we value this country and its freedom, standing here is the least we can do.”

Some protesters warned of escalating resistance if officials continue to dismiss public sentiment. “If they keep ignoring us, we’ll find other ways to make our voices heard,” said Vytautas. “Civil disobedience takes many forms, and not all of them will be comfortable for those in power.” Simonas, another attendee, added: “They see us gather, shrug it off as noise, and move on. But there are more ways to push back than just legal challenges—some will hurt them more.”

The rally, held under the slogan “Hands off free speech. We won’t back down,” also drew those determined to sustain pressure. “This isn’t just about today—it’s a message to those in power that times have changed, and society won’t stay silent,” said Laurynas. Rida echoed the resolve: “We stand together, from the first protest to the last, until we achieve our goal. We have to believe, but we also have to act. No one else will fight for our culture or our freedom if we don’t.”