EVENT. Today National Socialists marked Finland’s 101st Independence Day with a demonstration in Helsinki against state oppression.
Approximately 450 National Socialists marched through the city just over a week after the Nordic Resistance Movement was banned in Finland. The participants included Resistance Movement members from across the Nordic countries and a strong contingent from Soldiers of Odin.
The march began at 3.45 p.m., setting off from a gathering place in central Helsinki. After walking for just over ten minutes, the marchers were violently confronted by police, who confiscated their swastika flags by force and detained the Chief of the Finnish Resistance Antti Niemi and three flag bearers.
Despite this interruption, the march continued on soon after, with the participants defiantly chanting slogans such as “Long live the Resistance!” as they passed small groups of screaming counter-protestors.
Just over an hour later the procession arrived at Helsinki’s Mäntymäki Park, where the participants heard speeches, including one by the Nordic Resistance Movement’s Leader Simon Lindberg. Simon stated that National Socialism will not be stopped by bans, imprisonment or even death – a declaration that won rounds of applause from the audience.
After the speeches, activists gathered signatures for the registration of a new Finnish National Socialist party called National Community (Kansan yhtenäisyys).
Many of the participants then went on to join the yearly 612 Independence March, which honours the memory of Finnish freedom fighters.
Thousands of people took part in the torchlight march, which set off from Töölö Square and finished at Hietaniemi cemetery. A memorial service was held at the cemetery, with flowers and candles laid on the graves of the fallen heroes.
The message of the day was clear – despite the ban on the Nordic Resistance Movement, National Socialism is more alive in Finland than ever.
UPDATE: Video of the event featuring clips from Simon Lindberg’s speech
NB: The photos in this article are published by nordicresistancemovement.org for journalistic purposes rather than a statement of political opinion.