Bishop Kauneckas: Protests Are Being Hijacked by Criminals, Criticizes LRT Coverage

Bishop Jonas Kauneckas has voiced strong condemnation of recent protests, labeling them as chaotic gatherings dominated by individuals he describes as "criminal offenders." Speaking out against the "Keep Hands Off Free Speech" slogan, the bishop lamented that these rallies have devolved into displays of vulgarity and disrespect, even targeting the nation's president.

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Šalin rankas nuo laisvo žodžio

Kauneckas questions the passivity of law enforcement, asserting that the police have a duty to penalize even public insults and profanity. He expressed personal embarrassment at witnessing the behavior of what he termed "wild protesters" in public squares and near the Seimas. The bishop finds it incomprehensible that such actions are tolerated in a civilized society.

Furthermore, the bishop directed sharp criticism towards the national broadcaster LRT. He questioned the media's portrayal of these gatherings as noble defenses of "free speech," arguing that the participants' behavior—characterized by "babbling," insults, and indecency—does not represent a genuine pursuit of free expression. Kauneckas accused LRT of encouraging widespread mockery and indecency, drawing a parallel to bullying among adolescents and expressing dismay at the perceived decline in societal values.

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Šitaip mitinguose tiesiog siautėja kriminaliniai nusikaltėliai. Kokia normali valstybė tai pakęstų? Kodėl nieko nedaro mūsų policija? Juk policija privalo bausti net už gatvėje viešai nuaidėjusį įžeidimą ir keiksmą

From our perspective, Bishop Kauneckas's words reflect a deep concern shared by many Lithuanians about the erosion of public discourse and the hijacking of legitimate protest by disruptive elements. While the right to free speech is cherished, the bishop's critique highlights a crucial distinction between expressing dissent and engaging in behavior that undermines public order and decency. The national media's role in framing these events is thus under scrutiny, with calls for more responsible reporting that does not inadvertently legitimize disruptive or offensive conduct.

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Sakykit, kokį laisvą žodį gina blevyzgos? Liaukitės, juk pergyvename, kad kartais paaugliai mokyklose tyčiojasi iš savo bendramokslio. O jūs šitaip skatinate visą Lietuvą patyčioms, keiksmų ir nepadorumų patyčioms.