Anti-racist demonstrations held in Finland

A large scale anti-racist demonstration was held in Helsinki, and similar protests took place in some other cities of Finland on Saturday.

Police estimated that about 15,000 people participated in the anti-racist demonstration called "Peli poikki (Game over)" in downtown Helsinki.

The procession of protesters marched from the Citizens' Square to the Senate Square in the city center in the afternoon.

According to the Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat, former Finnish President Tarja Halonen showed up in the Senate Square and made a speech.

"We have so many people and it is an excellent thing, because democracy is a team game," said Halonen, adding any forms of violence or threat of violence are absolutely intolerable.

Similar demonstrations were held in other Finnish cities, such as Tampere, Joensuu, Kuopio and Jyvaskyla. Prime Minister Juha Sipila joined the protest in Kuopio.

Police said the anti-racist demonstrations went peacefully.

Meanwhile, an anti-immigration protest was organized by the "Rajat kiinni (Close borders)" group in Helsinki.

Two people were arrested in the counter-demonstration, because they did not obey police's exit order. The two were caught for preventing possible crimes and disturbances to protection, said police.

Last Friday, a 28-year-old man died after an assault at the Central Railway Station of Helsinki. He allegedly had a conflict with an individual during a demonstration held by the Finnish Resistance Movement.

One of the founders of the far-right group has been detained on suspicion of aggravated involuntary manslaughter.

The incident triggered the public's anti-racist sentiment, which finally resulted in the nationwide demonstrations.

The "Game over" demonstrations were jointly organized by many Finnish NGOs, human right groups and private citizens. Endit