Police detained a counter‑protester who shouted at participants of the nationalist 612 torch march at the corner of Arkadiankatu and Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu in Helsinki on Independence Day, 6 December 2025. Photo: Mikko Stig / Str / Lehtikuva
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Opposing demonstrations in Helsinki on Finland’s Independence Day remained largely peaceful after police separated participants from nationalist and anti-fascist groups.
An estimated 700 to 800 people joined the nationalist 612 torchlight procession, which began at Töölöntori and marched to Hietaniemi Cemetery. The Helsinki Without Nazis counter-demonstration, unregistered with authorities in advance, drew between 2,000 and 3,000 participants, according to police.
Despite tensions and isolated disturbances, the demonstrations concluded without major confrontations.
Helsinki Police Chief Superintendent Patrik Karlsson confirmed to Yle and Helsingin Sanomat that officers detained four individuals during the Independence Day demonstrations. One person was taken into custody after disrupting the Sinimusta Movement’s Suomi Herää march. Another was arrested following a fight that broke out between participants within the Helsinki Without Nazis protest group.
Two additional arrests took place near the end of the 612 torch march, when individuals were detained for disruptive behaviour. All four were taken to the police detention facility.
Police reported one case where an officer was struck with a stone. That incident involved a participant in the Helsinki Without Nazis protest.
The police established wide security perimeters and restricted movement throughout central Helsinki between 15:00 and 21:00. Traffic was limited or fully stopped in some areas, including Pohjoisesplanadi and around the Senate Square. Military and Border Guard personnel and vehicles were present alongside regular police units. A no-fly zone was enforced above the city throughout the day.
The 612 march, officially registered and authorised in advance, progressed under heavy police escort. Officers on horseback and foot accompanied participants along Mannerheimintie to Hietaniemi. No slogans or chants were reported from the marchers.
At the same time, Helsinki Without Nazis protestors began their route without prior police approval, starting from Mäntymäki Field and attempting to reach central routes. Police cordoned off protestors near Hesperianpuisto and prevented them from advancing toward the nationalist march.
The situation became tense at several points. According to Yle, protestors shouted at police through megaphones and accused officers of blocking their right to demonstrate. One ambulance was delayed in traffic near Runeberginkatu due to the protest.
The Helsinki Without Nazis organisers later issued a statement claiming success despite being contained by police. “We are glad that residents of Helsinki and supporters from other cities stood against fascism again,” the organisers said.
The group declared the official part of their protest concluded by around 19:45, and attendees began leaving the area under police supervision. According to the police, the 612 procession ended at Hietaniemi Cemetery around the same time.
The day included other demonstrations earlier in the afternoon. These included the Marssi Suomelle march, the Fixit EU protest, and a separate nationalist demonstration titled Suomi Herää. Each drew hundreds of participants. Police issued warnings for pyrotechnic torch use during the Suomi Herää march and intervened with two participants over public order concerns.
No clashes were reported between these early groups. The Helsinki Police Department stated that it would continue monitoring the situation into the night.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
