REMAIN VIGILANT UNTIL YOUR GOAL IS ACHIEVED

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND – WHAT AND WHY ARE YOU GOING TO PROTEST!

Protests and demonstrations are still a way of expressing one's convictions in society. Motivation and focus are important to succeed and achieve your goal.

Political demonstrations and protests took place in exile throughout the duration of Soviet occupation. The goal – the restoration of Latvia’s independence – was achieved in 46 years. From 1945 to 1991, several generations grew up in exile society, but vigilance continued. The struggle to regain the freedom of their land was self-evident, active, and purposeful. Demonstrations were a part of daily life of Latvians in exile. In Latvia, too, more and more like-minded groups gathered and took to the streets, not only to defend women’s rights and influence lawmakers but also to draw attention to vital issues about the environment and climate change. Even today, in response to the events in Georgia and Ukraine, the slogan “Nyet, Nyet, Soviet” has not lost its meaning and is used in support campaigns.

Ukraine must now be supported. Our friend's son came to this demonstration with his father's "Nyet, Nyet, Soviet!" t-shirts! We demonstrated at the United Nations, as close as the police would allow. Also at the Soviet, now the Russian, Mission to the UN on 60th Street. It was directly against Putin's policies and repression in Ukraine. I really thought our demonstration days were over. Latvia is free, but it is unfortunate that we must continue to demonstrate, that Russia is not yet a civilised and legal state, as we had hoped. Because we also don't know what they will do, what games they will play with Latvia.

Baiba Rudzītis-Pinnis

Today’s version of the “Nyet, Nyet, Soviet!” t-shirt with the addition of Georgia, Crimea and Ukraine to the list of invaded countries on the back. Design: Pēteris Elferts

T-shirt reissued by the Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre with approval from the Elferts family