Helsinki Pride responds to debate over political symbols at march

Political symbols, including the Soviet hammer and sickle, displayed during Helsinki’s Pride parade have sparked debate on social media, according to public broadcaster Yle.

Images of the symbols, as well as signs advocating class struggle, were shared on X by figures including National Coalition Party MP Tere Sammallahti and Riikka Purra’s (Finns Party) special advisor Matias Turkkila. Yle’s live broadcast from the event did not show the symbols.

Annu Kemppainen, executive director of Helsinki Pride, told Yle that around 100,000 people participated in the march, carrying various signs and symbols. She noted that organisers have no control over what participants display.

Helsinki Pride did not include political parties as community partners this year, Kemppainen said. Parties were instead allowed to join a separate walking block without large party logos or banners.

Some politicians have criticised Helsinki Pride for alleged left-wing bias. Kemppainen responded that the organisation is a non-partisan human rights group focused on advancing the rights, wellbeing, and inclusion of sexual and gender minorities.

She added that no reports had been made about communist symbols at the march. Signs criticising individual doctors and authorities also drew attention, but Kemppainen stated that such expressions fall under the right to protest and free speech.

Helsinki Pride cannot influence which national flags are displayed, she said, but encourages the use of symbols that promote the rights of rainbow communities.