Thousands participate in Helsinki Pride Parade

The Helsinki Pride Parade kicked off on Saturday in the streets of Helsinki in show of support for the rights and equality for sexual and gender minorities in the country.

The police estimated earlier in the day that a crowd of 100,000 people was expected to take part in the march.

The procession started at 12:00 at Senate Square with tens of thousands flocking to attend the festival in Kaivopuisto.

According to the Helsinki police, the procession took the route from Aleksanterinkatu, Mannerheimintie,Eteläesplanadi, Kasarmikatu, Neitsytpolku coming to an end at Kaivopuisto.

The police had also warned issued warning that the parade would disrupt traffic in the city centre. The road was closed for traffic at Unionkatu heading towards the direction of Tuomiokirko and Aleksanterinkatu until 4 pm and at Esplanadi and Kasarmikatu until 5 pm.

Prime Minister Antti Rinne marched in the parade becoming the first Prime Minister in the history of the country, confirmed the government in a tweet.

According to the City of Helsinki, Helsinki Pride is the country's largest human rights and cultural event. The event is a reminder that human rights belong to everybody irrespective of sexual orientation, sexual identity and sexual expression.

The event is organised by the Helsinki Pride Community (former HeSeta). The week-long event comes to a close on 30^th June.