Latvia bans Nazi, Soviet symbols at public events

[Baluarte]

Bill partly sparked by annual pro-Soviet rallies by the country’s large Russian-speaking populace

RIGA, Latvia (AP) — Latvia’s Parliament has approved a ban on the public display of Soviet and Nazi symbols, including swastikas and the hammer and sickle, and the singing and promotion of fascist and communist anthems and ideologies.

Lawmakers approved the bill 56-0, with 44 lawmakers abstaining or absent. It will become law after President Andris Berzins signs it, expected next month.

The bill was partly sparked by annual pro-Soviet rallies organized by the country’s large Russian-speaking populace, and frowned upon by ethnic Latvians after five decades of Soviet occupation.

Latvia regained its independence in 1991 after a troubled history of being occupied twice by the Soviet Union and once briefly by Nazi Germany.

Some 250,000 Latvians fought alongside either the Germans or the Soviets during World War II.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press

[SkyBurn]

Lol, you just opened like 8 different threads in less than an hour

[Baluarte]

Lol, you just opened like 8 different threads in less than an hour

?

Posting the most relevant news of the day as usual!

[riverman]

Makes sense.

[Szegedist]

Welcome to the club!

[Styggnacke]

I disagree with it, but it's understandable.

[sevruk]

this is so funny, as if there are no other problems in Latvia.
I would banned EU symbols:

[Styggnacke]

this is so funny, as if there are no other problems in Latvia.
I would banned EU symbols:

Latvia wasn't part of EU until 2004. You might aswell then ban the Russian flag, since Russia has been a demographic catastrophe since the fall of the Soviet Union.

[sevruk]

Latvia wasn't part of EU until 2004. You might aswell then ban the Russian flag, since Russia has been a demographic catastrophe since the fall of the Soviet Union.

much smaller than in Latvia, and now situation is much better than in Latvia (and even than in Sweden)

[Pure ja]

this is so funny, as if there are no other problems in Latvia.
I would banned EU symbols:

This is so funny, coming from Russia, which is contemplating on making it illegal to criticize the three pillars of the soviet regime wreaking havoc in the Soviet Russia / USSR and in abroad: NKVD/KGB/FSB, the Soviet Army and the communist party.