Barricades for Freedom

On 13 January 1991, over 500,000 demonstrators protest in Riga against the Soviet assault in Vilnius (Lithuania). They build barricades in Riga’s Old Town and government buildings. From January 13 to 27 some 50,000 unarmed persons guard the barricades.

Seven people lose their lives and fourteen are injured during attacks on the barricades by the Soviet Union's special forces (OMON) in Riga.

Pictures from Collection of Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.