38 held from pro-climate protest rally in Helsinki

Dozens of people under the banner of Elokapina, the Finland unit of environmental group Extinction Rebellion held a rally in Helsinki on Saturday afternoon protesting against the current environment policy.

The agitators gathered on Sörnäisten rantatie street at the Sörnäinen area at about 3:00 pm and blocked vehicular movement protesting against the government´s reluctance to declare a climate and environmental emergency.

Terming the government policy as destructive, they also claimed that the government did not take adequate measures to face climate crisis.

The law-enforcers arrested 38 demonstrators at the spot, as they did not pay heed to a police order to disperse, said the Helsinki police in a twitter post late Saturday night.

Police said that about 50 people participated in the protest but the organisers said more than 150 people participated in the rally at three spots.

Helsinki Police said that Elokapina did not issue prior notice to hold rally at the area.

“I am involved in Elokapina because the future of us and the next generation as well is under serious threat,” said Elokapina in a press release, quoting a participant Raili Nylund as saying, adding that they are urging the government to take effective measures to end the reckless and destructive policies.