YLE, the propaganda dispenser for political elite, fills its pages with more of its officially accepted bile:
Shock:
“Right-wing elements are trying to capitalise on patriotic feelings that arise during Independence Day celebrations for their own purposes, according to parliamentary researcher Erkka Railio”
Yeah, Finns expressing their patriotism (are immediately labeled “right-wing”, read = nazis) shouldn’t openly display their patriotic feelings on Independence Day, and it’s automatically assumed that, not wanting to fundamentally transform Finnish society, isn’t a widely held position among most Finns.
NOTE: This is the mindset of the ruling elite that fill the ranks of the Iron Triangle, meaning political, media and academic circles. You are to be lorded over, just shut the hell up, and any sign of discontent, no matter how peaceful and carefully thought out and articulated, will be met with outright smears and hard knuckles.
Yet another reality challenged academic researcher. Keep looking for those nazis under your bed.
Researcher: Extreme right using independence patriotism to promote nationalism
Right-wing elements are trying to capitalise on patriotic feelings that arise during Independence Day celebrations for their own purposes, according to parliamentary researcher Erkka Railio. The academic was commenting on Independence Day clashes which saw members of an anarchist movement try to break up a torch procession by a nationalist group.
According to Turku University parliamentary researcher Erkka Railio, the extreme right operating under the banner of the nationalist organisation 612 organised a procession to attract publicity for their own operations and goals.
The nationalist group called on members to participate in an Independence Day procession, saying that “many ordinary citizens are concerned about their own future and that of Finland” and urging the public to “demonstrate peacefully for the fatherland.”
One of the organisers of the march was writer Timo Hännikäinen, known for his connections to Suomen Sisu, a nationalist organisation that opposes immigration and multiculturalism.
An anarchist group calling itself Freedom Game vowed to disrupt the procession and clashed with police, resulting in the temporary detention of some 130 protesters.
Researcher: “Demonstrations in Finland minimal”
Railio noted that members of the public have been engaging in Independence Day demonstrations for the past 20 years. In that regard the protests are nothing new, he added.
“Based on news reports this year’s clashes have been violent compared to previous demonstrations. On the other hand, we can say that by international comparison, these clashes in Finland are very minor,” the researcher said.
He added that the typical aim of previous Independence Day protests has been “to draw attention to class conflicts”.
Extreme right more visible
During the past few years the extreme right has become more visible and perhaps better organised, Railio remarked. He pointed out that Sunday’s Independence Day march did not highlight class differences as past demonstrations had done.
According to Railio, the nationalist movement appeared to be trying to co-opt patriotic sentiments to advance its own agenda.
“They are attempting use independence to promote the wrong type of nationalism that is not constructive and will not benefit Finland. We have to hope that they will not succeed. They are far from achieving that goal,” he commented.
The Turku University academic said that the Independence Day demonstrations are a sign of escalating opposition to asylum seekers, adding that people are sharply divided on what to make of the large numbers of asylum seekers entering the country.
