Helsinki city center hosted two opposing demonstrations on Saturday afternoon.

A march by the Blue-and-Black Movement (Sinimusta liike) began at the Hakaniemi Market Square, while an anti-fascist counter-demonstration organized by Aurora Helsinki and the Varis network set off from the Railway Square.

Our video below the article follows the separate routes through the city and shows how the police coordinated traffic and kept the demonstrations apart for safety.

The Blue-and-Black Movement has been described as openly racist and fascist.

About 300 people joined the Blue-and-Black Movement’s march, alongside 35–40 masked Active Club members, while the counter-demonstration drew around 600 participants, according to a police estimates.

The anti-fascist protesters repeatedly chanted variations of their slogan, “No to Nazis in Helsinki!” Members of Sinimusta repeatedly shouted “paluumuutto.”

Paluumutto is a political euphemism—“return migration” or “remigration”—that they use to advocate for the mass derportation of immigrants and non-ethnic Finns.

Four people were arrested by the police to prevent potential crime and disturbances. Of these, three were taken into custody before the start of the protest marches, while one was caught at the Citizens’ Square where Sinimusta summoned to hold speeches.

The anti-fascist demonstration gathered at the Dallape Park in Vallila, near Kallio.

The police reported one disorderly incident at the Dallape Park protest. No injuries or suspected crime were reported, and no one was arrested.

Video: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY