Protests Against Finnish Government Erupt in Six Cities

A demonstration against the current Finnish government took place in Kouvola’s city center on Saturday, drawing several dozen local residents to Mansk Street. The protest was part of a larger coordinated action held simultaneously in six Finnish cities and online. Organizers behind the event belong to the 'Te puhuitte teoin' (You Spoke Through Actions) citizens’ movement, which states on its website that it acts for a hopeful, equal, and just Finland. The central demand of the nationwide demonstration was the resignation of the sitting government and the calling of early parliamentary elections. The movement cited a perceived loss of public trust as a key reason for this call. The group describes itself as politically non-aligned, it welcomes individual representatives from political parties to attend rallies in their private capacity, not as official delegates. In Kouvola, speakers included Joona Mielonen, chair of the Left Alliance’s regional council group, and Mika Seppälä, deputy chair of the Kouvola Green League municipal board. Similar protests occurred in Helsinki, Kuopio, Lahti, Turku, and Tampere. The 'Te puhuitte teoin' movement began its activities at the end of last year and previously organized an anti-discrimination and anti-racism rally in Helsinki in January.