Vilnius March Against Racism Meets Counter-Protest Over Migrant Policies

Dozens of protesters marched through Vilnius to voice their opposition to racism and anti-migrant policies. Gathering at European Square near the Vilnius City Municipality, they proceeded towards Cathedral Square, holding placards with messages including 'Solidarity Knows No Borders,' 'No One Is Illegal,' and 'Unity Shall Bloom.' The demonstration saw participants carrying the flags of Lithuania, Palestine, and Ukraine. Organizers stated the march aimed to express disapproval of what they described as an 'avalanche of anti-migrant policy' sweeping Lithuania. They rejected narratives targeting migrants and condemned the rhetoric fueling such sentiments, attributing it to fear, xenophobia, and alarmism. However, the event also drew a counter-protest in Cathedral Square. Some residents, with faces obscured by masks, hoods, and sunglasses, held Lithuanian flags and signs that read 'White Lithuania – Beautiful Lithuania.' They chanted 'Lithuania will remain white' and 'White lives matter.' The march's initiators called for improved living conditions for refugees, a clearer naturalization process, increased funding for integration programs, and reforms to laws concerning hate speech. Specific demands included allowing refugees to bring family members to Lithuania, removing higher language proficiency requirements outside of customer service roles, and holding politicians and public figures accountable for spreading disinformation against migrants.

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Lithuania has been hit by an avalanche of anti-migrant policy, which is created out of fear, xenophobia, alarmism, and blaming migrants. However, we reject narratives directed against migrants and condemn those who spread such rhetoric.