According to information obtained by the police from public sources, Extinction Rebellion is organizing a demonstration in downtown Helsinki on Friday, September 27th, starting at 4.00 PM. Extinction Rebellion has not yet submitted a demonstration notification to the police.
A demonstration may cause significant and long-term traffic disruption in Helsinki. The police recommend allocating time for moving around downtown. The police can direct traffic to alternative routes if necessary.
“The role of the police is to safeguard the freedom of expression of the demonstrators, public order and safety, and the rights of the citizens of Helsinki,”, says Superintendent Jere Roimu.
The police always negotiate with the organiser of the demonstration to ensure that the demonstration would not cause unreasonable disturbance to other citizens. If the demonstration is carried out in significant violation of the law, endangers public order and safety, or obstructs traffic, the police may interfere with the course of the event by issuing instructions and orders or, ultimately, by ending the demonstration.
The option to interrupt or end a demonstration is always assessed case-by-case. Instructions and, if necessary, orders issued by the police, as well as the means used to enforce them, are based on an overall assessment of the situation. The police always primarily try to negotiate with the organiser to resolve the situation.
