The 612 torchlight procession, organized by open fascists and disguised as “nonpartisan patriotism,” is being organized for the tenth time this year. In 2014, anarchists and other anti-fascists ignored the then still small and puny Nazi march and, as in previous years, focused on disrupting the nationalist ceremony of the Linnan juhlat with the wild “Lähiöst Linnaan” demonstration. However, fascism does not wither away by remaining silent, and the following year the number of participants in the torchlight procession grew manyfold. In the same year, anti-fascist counter-demonstrations began, which have since become a regrettably traditional sight on the streets of Helsinki on Independence Day.
We say “regrettably traditional” because fascists should not be able to organize and gather publicly in Helsinki or anywhere else, and in that case there should be no need for a counter-demonstration. Fascism as a social movement aims to further entrench white cis-hetero privilege, absolute male supremacy, and class collusion with the ruling class. It is always a threat to both minorities and those working for a better world because it aims to subjugate and destroy us, as has been seen numerous times throughout history.
Let’s not give fascism a place in society, not now and not ever. Never again!
See you at Töölöntori.