“As vice mayor, a patriot of Riga and a Christian, I am calling on the Riga municipality not to allow planned pride at Daugava’s [a river flowing through the centre of Riga] Embankment of 11 November and to decide on a different place for the march in some less public place”.
“I think that the venue of the planned march, the Embankment of 11 November, is deeply and symbolically meaningful place not only to Riga’s, but for the entire country’s history.”
“There are many important state celebrations took place at the Embankment of 11 November, which lays next to the destiny full Daugava – state independence celebrations, the parades of the state armed forces, and torch marches.“ “The Embankment symbolically situated right next to the presidential palace. A lot of historical events which are part of nation’s historical conscience and which are related to patriotism and values, which unite the nation and its identity, are sacred and untouchable.“
“I think that the planned march of sexual minorities, whose aim is to cause a stir, would be a challenge to the deeply symbolic meaning of this place and cause moral harm to the inhabitants of Riga. I think this is not acceptable.”
Mr Ludviks calls to decide on an alternative venue for the sexual minorities’
march, which would be ‘appropriate for its intimate, specific character’. “The stadiums or similarly discreet places in Riga could serve as venues for an event of such character”.
“In such discreet places interested and supportive persons can freely gather and express their views without forcing the families and children to be witness of some individuals’ eccentric show in the centre of the city”.