Closed petition Stop the 16 March marches in Riga and Latvians revising history!

Closed on 19 January 2013

Since 1998, former Latvian SS have every year on the 16 March been marching in the capital city of Riga to commemorate their fallen colleagues who they perceive as war heroes. The marches have over the years increased in alarming numbers and are now even condoned by Latvian officials. On March 16, 2011 in the heart of Nato in Riga, more than 2,500 people, amongst them Latvian politicians, paid tribute to Latvians who fought on the side of Nazi Germany in Waffen SS detachments during World War II. Latvian Prime Minister told local media he did not think March 16 had “a special significance.” Legionnaires’ Day is used by radicals on both sides “to confront each other”. However, this petition believes Latvia, the international community, the UK government, the European Union and Nato should condemn the Nazi event in clearer terms as Waffen SS veterans are not seen as legitimate “heroes” in any EU member state which Latvia has been granted status since 2004.