News
The article is more than 4 years old

Helsinki demonstrators join global anti-racism protest

An organiser of the demonstration said "the fact that racism happens at all is the problem."

Helsingin Senaatintorilla järjestettävä rasismia vastustava mielenosoitus.
Image: Don Trammell
  • Yle News

An anti-racism demonstration drew thousands of people to Helsinki's Senate Square on Wednesday evening.

Participants were honoring the life of African American George Floyd who died while being detained by police in the United States last week.

Similar demonstrations have been held in cities and towns around the world. Organisers in Helsinki said the event was to promote justice, freedom, anti-racism and change.

Story continues after photo.

The anti-racism demonstration held on 3 June 2020 at Helsinki's Senate Square.
A major crowd arrived for the demonstration, but as Senate Square began to fill up many were seen leaving, possibly due to social distancing concerns, according to an eyewitness. Image: Yle / Sami Laine

Organiser Andrea Moukoko said the demonstration was a peaceful protest. Another of the event's organisers, Sará Balhass, explained why it was being held in Finland, far from the US.

Story continues after photo.

Helsingin Senaatintorilla järjestään rasismia vastustava mielenosoitus tänään kello 17 alkaen
Demonstrators covered the wide stairway of Helsinki Cathedral on Wednesday evening. Image: Don Trammell

"Many people ask why we want to voice our opinion [here] when the events happened in the United States and not in Finland, but the fact that racism happens at all is the problem. We want to show that we stand in support of our brothers and sisters," Balhass said.

Story continues after photo.

A participant holds a sign reading "black lives matter" at an anti-racism demonstration held in Helsinki on 3 June 2020.
A participant holds a sign reading "black lives matter" at an anti-racism demonstration held in Helsinki on 3 June 2020. Image: Sami Laine / Yle

As the event began at 5pm, the crowd size far outreached government's coronavirus-related limit of 500-person gatherings.

Due to those restrictions, as they were invited to the event, participants were urged to keep proper distance between one another and to wear protective face masks and gloves, among other good hygiene measures.

Story continues after photo.

Helsingin Senaatintorilla järjestettävä rasismia vastustava mielenosoitus.
Demonstrators on the cathedral steps. Image: Silja Viitala / Yle

The demonstration started at the city's Senate Square at 5pm, where speakers addressed the crowd, and the event was scheduled to end at 9pm. However, police tweeted at about 6pm that organisers said the demonstration had concluded.

Story continues after photo.

Helsingin Senaatintorilla järjestettävä rasismia vastustava mielenosoitus.
Demonstrators at Senate Square. Image: Don Trammell

A number of participants were seen leaving the area shortly after the square began to fill up, possibly due to social distancing concerns, according to an eyewitness.