Photo: Ville Maali
Anti-Racism Rally
Joy
The warm summer wind blows my hair on my face, the warmth of the sun caresses my skin, and the sunlight dazzles me. The scent of grilled sausage is in the air. A seagull is screaming above somewhere. ‘Black lives matter!’ shouts someone nearby. I can feel the warmth of the sun in my core. I’m surrounded by people. They’re not too close, but still around me. Marching together for an important cause. I smile.
‘I can feel the warmth of the sun in my core.’
Anti-racism rallies were a global phenomenon
Globalisation unites people and causes regardless of physical distance. George Floyd being suffocated to death by a white police officer in the United States started an anti-racism chain reaction that reached Europe as well. At the start of June, on 3 June 2020, some 3,000 people gathered in Senate Square in Helsinki. Globally, hundreds of thousands of people voiced their support online. Restrictions on public events were in force in Finland at the time of the rally (max. 500 people per event), and in the afternoon, the police was forced to end the event.
Rallies create group cohesion and bring comfort
Even if an injustice occurs far away geographically, it can still have an impact. In Finland, many felt the urge to take action and to show their support to those feeling oppressed in the United States. Racism in Finland was discussed during the rally and in connection to it. Expressing your opinion as a group with like-minded people can help to create group cohesion. It can provide a sense of security and comfort.
Thank you.
You were not alone with your feelings.
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