Protest day-to-day

Protests can be staged by individuals through their actions, appearance, and lifestyle.

STATE YOUR POSITION AND VIEW EVERYDAY!

Talk often and with enthusiasm to your colleagues and friends about the topic, post on social media, and boycott goods or events if organisers support a philosophy unacceptable to you.

EVERYDAY DEMONSTRATION TECHNIQUES

To remind the world of the illegal occupation of Latvia by the Soviet Union, individual forms of protest took many forms in exile: attention was attracted by wearing unique Latvian jewellery or buttons with political slogans or symbols. Latvian cars could be identified by colourful political bumper stickers. Exile Latvians gladly used specially issued stamps that could inform the world about the desire to restore Latvia’s independence.

Velta and Arnis Skujiņš’ car with the slogan “Vorsicht! Bissige Letten!” (Warning! Latvians that bite!) at the 1st World Latvian Youth Congress in Hannover, Germany, 1968.

Donated to Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre by Ģirts Zēgners.

Kārlis Straubergs’ Baltmobile in Stockholm, May 1988. From left: Daina Balodis, Linda Freimanis, Laine Cekuls (seated), Kārlis Straubergs Photo: Raitis Freimanis

Donated to Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre by Raitis Freimanis

Aivars Osvalds un Zigurds Teteris at the “2×2” youth seminar in Portland, USA, 1969 Photo: Rihards Ārgals

Donated to Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre by Sarma Muižnieks-Liepiņš

Painted car at a demonstration in Bonn, 1986 Standing from left: Valdis Rozentāls, Juris Bļodnieks, Artūrs Birnbaums, Maija Vīnerts, Aija Paegle, Elmārs Tannis. Seated from left: Uve Hodgins, Andris Buddrich, Ints Luters, Paulīne Riemers, Ilze Kalniņš Photographer unknown

Donated to Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre by Maija Buddrich

Žanis Purmalis and Verners Cinis by a demonstration car, Canada

Donated to Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre by Vernera Cinis and Baiba Bredovskis

Astra Pavlovskis and her car with the licence plate “LATVIA1”.

Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre collection

ANTI-SOVIET DEMONSTRATION CAR VALIANT

A 1971 Chrysler Valiant was actively used in exile youth anti-Soviet demonstrations in the US in the 1980s. It was also used for weddings and everyday transport.

Donated to Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre by Juris Bļodnieks

The car was meant for demonstrations, but I drove it every day. The police stopped me almost every week! Yes, stopped me, we talked. At least they knew what Latvia was! There was a hammer and sickle on both doors with red “do not” symbols across. At one point, we needed the logo of the Latvian Environmental Club, so we painted their star on the roof. I drove this car every day, and other drivers greeted me.
Juris Bļodnieks