“I’ll keep coming as long as my legs can take it.” May 9th celebrants in Daugavpils

On May 9, Latvia celebrates Europe Day, marking the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration. But meanwhile, in the propaganda of the Kremlin regime, this day is the so-called “Victory Day”. We have already reported that in order to prevent and prevent threats to public order and security, including the glorification and justification of criminal Russian aggression and war crimes, today the State Police andn The State Security Service is working in an enhanced mode.

In the so-called “Fame Square” of Daugavpils, where a monument glorifying the Soviet regime was dismantled in 2022, people did not dare to put flowers, at least as was observed in the first half of the day. Public order in this place was ensured by the police. With that, the people who had come stayed for a while and left. However, there were individuals who began to behave aggressively when they saw a television camera.

Today, it is not forbidden to place flowers at the burial places of soldiers, but there was also an increased presence of the police, as it is necessary to be prepared for any scenario of events. This is also the case in Dubrovina Park, where the burials of Soviet soldiers are located and the so-called “Victory Day” celebrators have been gathering for years. Even today, many people came to lay flowers here already in the morning and in the middle of the day.

Woman: “Today is a big holiday. In our hearts forever. I’ve been coming all my life and I’ll keep coming as long as my legs can do it.”

Although Daugavpils historians called for reburying Soviet soldiers last year, the municipality does not consider this possible. Dozens of police crews were in Dubrovina Park, and the roads around the park were also closed. At one point, the police removed ribbons with inscriptions attached to the brought wreaths – there were slogans in Russian such as “we will never forget”, “great victory”, as well as a ribbon with the name of the association “Pereval” registered in Daugavpils. The association has already come under the attention of the State Security Service. The representative of “Pereval” Vasilijs Krupeničs, who was arrested for using unauthorized symbols on May 9 of last year, has also come to lay flowers.

In the first half of the day, several Daugavpils politicians also visited the Soviet soldiers’ memorial. For example, the former chairman of the city council, current member of the city council, Igors Prelatov. He sees this day as “Victory Day” and claims that he is not aware of the Europe Day celebration.

Prelatov also questions the need for an increased police presence. “I think we could direct the internal security with the employees who are currently here to other activities in order to increase their security and order in the city or state territory. I think so.”

Those who came to lay flowers mostly expressed a negative attitude towards Ukraine, or tried to avoid questions about the war. He also avoided calling Russia an aggressor state.

A woman says: “My son lives in Ukraine. It is very bad there. I Ukraine… People are good there, good. But “Banderovites” remain “Banderovites”.

“It is a holiday for all peoples. There is no politics here. What does it have to do with Russia, what does it have to do with some kind of war?” says a man.

The State Police reports that by one o’clock in Daugavpils, the criminal process for the justification of genocide, crime against peace, and war crimes has been initiated. The detained person praised Russia and its leader in front of the camera of ReTV journalists. A person was detained in Dubrovin Park with a backpack with georgette ribbons attached to it. In this case, the law enforcement officers had to use physical force against the violator.