RIGA, March 16 (LETA) - The traditional procession from St. John's Church to the Freedom Monument in downtown Riga, organized to commemorate the WWII Latvian Legion soldiers, ended without incident today.

About 1,000 participated in the procession that started out slowly and quietly. People began to sing patriotic songs as the column approached the Freedom Monument.

Leading the way were the national flags of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. MPs Imants Paradnieks and Raivis Dzintars (All For Latvia-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) were among those in the front ranks.

There were many elderly citizens participating in the procession, and a number of young people. Many were clutching flowers. Some held placards, such as "No To Nazism, Communism, and Imperialism!" and others, of which the most controversial said, "Death To Occupants!", but that placard was removed before the procession reached the Freedom Monument. Yet another said, "March 16 Is The Day We Pay Homage To Latvian Freedom Fighters".

An alley made up of national flags was formed leading up to the foot of the Freedom Monument.

Not particularly many people observed the procession, furthermore, large part of them were foreign tourists. Although no incidents occurred during the procession, some of the participants were involved in discussions with onlookers, for instance, Efraim Zuroff from Simon Wiesenthal Center exchanged a few words with a women who was deported to Siberia by the Soviet authorities. No police involvement was necessary in any of these cases.

After the event ended with the singing of the national anthem, participants in the procession dispersed. Some lingered briefly to speak with the passers-by.

Another two events in the vicinity of the Freedom Monument - a gathering organized by "Nacionalo karaviru atbalstam" ("For the Support of National Soldiers"), and a rally organized by Igors Siskins, a member of the ultra-radical "Thundercross" organization and the head of the "Gustavs Celmins Center", have also concluded peacefully.

The last event today is organized by the "Anti-Nazi Commission of Latvia", it is currently under way at the Freedom Monument.

leta.lv