Opponents of restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Covid infections are planning a demonstration in the center of Helsinki, where protesters will block traffic on the streets of the capital.
The measure also seeks to raise opposition to rising fuel prices.
The planned demonstration has been influenced by similar activities elsewhere in the world. A convoy of trucks staged a protest Against Covid vaccine authorizations earlier this week in Canada.
Yle understands that the event in Finland is still in the planning stage, and the date of the demonstration has not been announced. However, groups set up on Facebook and the Telegram messaging app have amassed tens of thousands of new members in the last two days.
"At a time to be agreed later, we will close the area around the Parliament House and the entire center of Helsinki with as many vehicles as possible," In a Facebook group post.
Another post from the group revealed that the cars are to be left in place until now "all Covid restrictions have been permanently removed".
"The entire Finnish police force and not all towing cars will be enough to solve this situation if all participants follow this line: no one is moving their car," the message said.
The exact purpose of the demonstration is still a bit open. The Facebook group says the plan is to protest against Covid restrictions and the price of fuel, but the Telegram group plans to vote on the protest’s access.
MP Turtiainen Telegram Group Administrator
The people in charge of the groups appear to have taken part in protests against Covid in the past. For example, one of the administrators of the Telegram Group is MP Ano Turtiainen (VKK).
However, he does not appear to have organized groups.
The story continues after the picture.
Turtiainen told Yle that he was unlikely to be involved in the traffic jam, but added that he supported the demands of the event organizers.
"I give my full support to putting the bone in the throat of the government," Turtiainen said.
Police: The demonstration would not be legal
Helsinki police have not received advance notice of the planned demonstration by Friday afternoon.
However, according to the police chief Jarmo HeinonenAn event like the one described on the Facebook group would not be legal.
"Demonstrations can, of course, be organized, but an event designed to block as much traffic as possible is not in the spirit of the Rally Act." Heinonen said.
He added that even leaving the walkways free for emergency vehicles, for example, would not make the incident legal and he said he hoped the organizers would contact the police as soon as possible so that arrangements could be negotiated for the demonstration.
"After all, we canโt stop people from driving downtown if someone so decides. But if traffic is intentionally blocked, the police have a duty to intervene," Heinonen said.
Source: The Nordic Page