Lithuania: Anti-immigration activists to protest in Vilnius, July 29

Event

Members of the ethnic-Polish community and their supporters plan to demonstrate in central Vilnius July 29 to denounce the construction of an immigrant reception center in the majority-Polish town of Dziewieniszek in the Salcininkai District. Participants will gather at 15:00 outside the Parliament building in the city center; the protest is scheduled to disperse from 18:00.

Hundreds of people could attend. Additional police will deploy to the site; large numbers of people and associated security measures could prompt localized transport disruptions. Current COVID-19 measures in Lithuania restrict public gatherings; police could move to disperse the action if participants are deemed to be breaching these restrictions. The event is likely to proceed peacefully, though isolated clashes between police and protesters cannot be ruled out. In addition, related protests are possible in Dziewieniszek in the coming weeks; activists could attempt to disrupt construction activity, including by blocking roads.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check for disruptions and allow extra time for travel near the Parliament building in central Vilnius on the afternoon and early evening of July 29. Check route status before setting out if planning to travel in the vicinity of Dziewieniszek in the coming weeks.