The environmental movement Elokapina stopped traffic in front of Metsäteollisuus ry in Helsinki on 20 May 2025. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Finnish general Mikko Heiskanen joins Israeli arms manufacturer’s board
Climate activist group Elokapina will launch a three-day protest in central Helsinki on Monday. The group expects over 1,500 participants and plans to use civil disobedience to pressure the Finnish government on climate policy.
More than 400 demonstrators are prepared to be arrested, according to the group’s campaign page. The event, named Kulovalkea, is scheduled to begin at 15:00 on Monday at Senate Square, continuing until Wednesday.
“We aim to bring attention to the urgency of the climate crisis and apply pressure on political decision-makers,” said Panu Puhakka from Elokapina’s campaign team.
Police have confirmed awareness of the protest and warned of potential severe traffic disruptions across the city. “The demonstration may cause significant disturbance to traffic in the city centre,” said Jarmo Heinonen, a chief inspector with the Helsinki Police, in a statement.
Participants plan to march from Senate Square to the Parliament House on Monday. Further demonstrations are planned for Tuesday and Wednesday at 16:00, but the group has not disclosed the routes.
Elokapina intends to target key traffic intersections in the city. In previous actions, the group blocked Mannerheimintie and the Kaisaniemi roundabout.
Puhakka said the demonstration “follows a familiar pattern”, but declined to provide specific locations in advance. He confirmed the protest would be visible across the central area of Helsinki.
Elokapina’s strategy includes confronting the limits of police infrastructure. The group claims that arresting over 400 people would exceed the combined holding capacity of detention facilities in Pasila, Porvoo, Kilo, and Vantaa.
This estimate is based on an internal survey conducted by Elokapina in spring 2024. According to the group, the total capacity across these facilities falls below 400 detainees.
Elokapina is calling on the government to eliminate subsidies deemed harmful to the environment, adhere to Finland’s 2035 carbon neutrality target, and reduce logging in Finnish forests.
Police said that should the protest cause “unreasonable inconvenience” to traffic, officers would detain participants as necessary. Heinonen advised drivers to allow extra time and expect changes to traffic arrangements. Authorities may redirect vehicles to alternate routes.
Organisers estimate over 1,000 people will attend in person. While most protest plans remain undisclosed, Elokapina is encouraging broad participation through non-violent civil disobedience.
HT
- Next Article Finnish general Mikko Heiskanen joins Israeli arms manufacturer’s board
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
