People gather in Riga in support of refugees

More than 100 people gathered in the center of the Latvian capital Riga on Saturday in support of refugees.

The majority of the participants were young people and their behavior was peaceful. The picketers were holding posters in support of refugees.

Meanwhile, a group of people who object to accepting refugees also had come, wearing T-shirts saying "Stop immigration", according to the Baltic News Service.

The goal of the picket was to support Europe's Action Day "Europe Says Welcome" and show solidarity with refugees. Similar demonstrations on Saturday were held also in other European countries, several North American countries and Australia, earlier reports said.

The Latvian government agreed earlier to voluntarily accept 250 refugees, but in line with the new EU refugee relocation scheme presented by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday, Latvia might have to admit additional 526 refugees.

Source: XINHUA