Today the Latvian capital, Riga, once again permitted the convening of what has become a traditional march to celebrate the Latvian veterans of an armed SS unit (the Waffen-SS). The march takes place annually on 16 March, which was once briefly officially known as "Legion Day" in Latvia.
The RIA Novosti wire service reports that the Latvian capital has also made it possible for an anti-fascist demonstration to be held on the same day. While 16 March is no longer a state holiday, many Latvians perceive it as an opportunity to commemorate fallen members of the Latvian SS units who fought alongside German troops against Soviet occupation.
Many ethnic Russians in Latvia consider these ceremonial marches a celebration of Fascism and point out, together with anti-fascist activists, that as many as 25 000 Jewish people were shot to death in and around Riga during the war. Promoters of the legionnaires’ celebration say the Latvian SS divisions were not created until 1943, at which time most of Latvia’s prewar Jewish community of about 80 000 people had already been annihilated.
Those promoting the 16 March event consider this proof that the Latvian units did not participate in the Holocaust as their opponents claim. Marches by the legionnaires in Latvia have been taking place since 1990.
In past years the marches have been accompanied by brawls between the marchers and anti-fascists protesting them, and by police interventions featuring dozens of arrests. During the first years after Latvia regained its independence, 16 March was an official holiday until it was removed from the state calendar under pressure from Russia and the West.
Latvia gained independence from Russia after WWI, but in 1940 the country was occupied by Soviet troops, and after Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union, the Nazis occupied Latvia. Approximately 250 000 Latvians fought in WWII, either alongside the Germans or the Soviets, of whom 150 000 were killed.
