Elokapina has notified the police that it will hold demonstrations at several times in May. The demonstration on Friday, 6 May, can cause significant and long-term traffic disruption in the centre of Helsinki.
Elokapina (Extinction Rebellion Finland) has filed a notification of a demonstration with the police according to which they will hold a demonstration at the crossing of Simonkatu and Mannerheimintie on Friday, 6 May, from 4 to 9 p.m. Elokapina has announced on its website that at that time, it will return to Mannerheimintie, the section between Kaivokatu and Postikatu. According to the view of the police, the place is not suitable for a demonstration; instead, a place has been assigned for it at Kansalaistori.
“The police are negotiating 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”, says Superintendent Jarmo Heinonen.
The role of the police is to safeguard the freedom of expression of the demonstrators as well as securing public order and safety. 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.
