Demonstrations may cause significant traffic disruption in the centre of Helsinki

A demonstration organised on Thursday, 6 October, may cause significant traffic disruption for an extended period of time in the centre of Helsinki. The police are also prepared for counterdemonstrations.

On its website, Elokapina (Extinction Rebellion Finland) states that it will protest in Helsinki every day from 5 to 14 October and return to Mannerheimintie on 6 October at 5 p.m. The police do not consider the place suitable for a demonstration.

“The police are negotiating with the organisers of the demonstrations with the aim that the demonstrations would not cause unreasonable disturbance to other citizens. The police’s duty is to safeguard the freedom of speech of demonstrators as well as public order and safety”, says Chief Inspector Jarmo Heinonen.

The police always primarily try to negotiate with the organiser to resolve the situation. 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.