News

Far-right activists target Hämeenlinna library despite city ban

Extremists have spent a lot of energy this month trying to hold events at public libraries in Finland.

Tuukku Kuru leaving Oodi library as counter-protesters boo.
The organisation was forced to abandon an event at Helsinki's Oodi Library on Independence Day when hundreds of antifascists turned up. Image: Mikko Ahmajärvi / Yle
  • Yle News
  • STT

Far-right activists are planning to stage a reading event at Hämeenlinna library on Saturday despite the local council's opposition.

The Blue-Black movement told news agency STT that they would proceed with the event despite the objections voiced by the municipality.

The openly racist and fascist group wrote that the library is a public place and as taxpayers they have a right to be there. The group's original booking for a space at the library was cancelled on Thursday.

Hämeenlinna City Manager Olli-Pekka Parviainen told STT that the group had been informed they would not be permitted to rent space on city premises.

Extra security guards have been arranged in case of disturbances on Saturday.

Another reading event was supposed to take place at Oodi library in central Helsinki on Independence Day, but that was abandoned after the library filled with hundreds of anti-fascist protesters.

On Thursday a similar event at Pori library was sparsely attended, with local media reporting that just two party members turned up and started a live stream using a smartphone.