Latvian Legion Day

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Latvian Legion Day, 2008

Latvian Legion Day is a remembrance day on March 16, when soldiers of the Latvian Legion, part of the Waffen SS, are commemorated. It was made an official remembrance day in Latvia in 1998 and has since sparked a controversy as parts of Latvian society see the Legion as Nazi, while other parts of society hold that the Legion was a military unit, which fought the Soviet Union and was not responsible for any Nazi war crimes.^{[citation needed]} In 2000, the Latvian government abolished the day as an official commemoration day.

1 Origins
2 Controversy
3 History
4 Traditions
5 Participating organizations
6 External links
7 References

[edit] Origins

Latvian Legion Day was established in exile by the Daugavas Vanagi veterans' organisation. March 16 was chosen as the most appropriate date because in 1944 both divisions of the Latvian Legion, the 15th (1st Latvian) and the 19th (2nd Latvian) fought together for the first time.

[edit] Controversy

As a part of the Waffen SS, the Latvian Legion is seen as being Nazi, yet it fought only the Soviet Union, therefore it is deemed that it is not responsible for Nazi war crimes and should be viewed as a separate entity. Although officially named Volunteer Legion, it was primarily formed by draft.^[1] Latvian Police battalions, that later formed 15% of the Latvian Legion, actively participated in the revenge operations in Vitsebsk Voblast, Belarus destroying 138 villages and murdering 17 thousand civilians.^[2]^[3] Police battalions took active participation in murdering Jews in the Salaspils Concentration Camp and Riga ghetto^[2] as well as torturing and murdering of Polish prisoners of war in Podgaje.^[4]

[edit] History

Latvian Legion Day has been observed in Latvia since 1990 and was set as official remembrance day in 1998.^[5] In 1998 traditional procession to lay-flowers at the base of Freedom monument draw attention of foreign mass media and in the following year the Russian government condemned the event as glorification of Nazism.^[1] In 2000 Latvian government abolished the day as official commemoration day, however the day is still observed unofficially and has since evolved in political fight between leftist protesters and Latvian nationalists.^[6] The Latvian government tried to bring situation under control by going so far that in 2006, not only the events planned by nationalist organizations were not approved, but the Freedom Monument was fenced, as it was announced by Riga City Council, for restoration, however this statement was later questioned, as politicians named various other reasons for the move and the enclosed area was much larger than needed for restoration, and the weather didn't seem appropriate for restoration.^[7] The Freedom Monument is one of the most important symbols of Latvia, therefore the move caused discontent in general society. The government was criticized for being unable to ensure public safety and freedom of speech. Latvian mass media compared the actions of government officials with actions of Soviet officials in late 80s and reported that no other government before had fenced the monument for political reasons. It was also speculated that actual reason for actions of government was preparation for upcoming NATO Summit 2006 in Riga. The unapproved events took place despite the ban and 65 participants were arrested by Latvian police, reportedly among the participants were foreigners as well, two of the arrested participants were citizens of Estonia.^[8] In 2006, the law provisions that called for approval to arrange gatherings were ruled out as unconstitutional^[9]. On March 16, 2007, government mobilized the police force to guard neighborhood of the monument and the day went by relatively peacefully.^[10] It should also be noted that the veterans organizations Daugavas Vanagi and Latvijas Nacionālo karavīru biedrība have announced that they dissociate themselves from ultra-radicals who organize processons at the monument and advised patriotic Latvians to attend other events and help elderly veterans.^[11] In 2008 the confrontation was limited to verbal arguments and insults.^[12]

[edit] Traditions

Flowers by Freedom Monument

Traditionally a memorial service is held in Riga Cathedral, after which the participants go in procession to the Freedom Monument where they lay flowers. The participants then travel to the Legionnaires' cemetery in Lestene.

[edit] Participating organizations

Organizations whose members have been seen to participate in events:

All For Latvia! - Latvian nationalist political party. Traditionally members of "All For Latvia!" flag alley at the Freedom Monument at the time when procession arrives at it.
Gustavs Celmiņš Centre – an organisation seeking to revive the fascist Pērkonkrusts movement.^[12]

Organizations that support veterans of the Legion and participate in events: