Hundreds of Latvians yesterday commemorated Second World War veterans who fought in Waffen SS divisions in an annual event that stokes ethnic animosity between Latvians and minority Russians.
Latvians laid flowers at the Freedom Monument in the capital, Riga, while a small group of mainly Russians protested behind barriers about 50 feet away. A large police presence kept the two sides apart.
Many Latvians consider March 16, or Legionnaires Day, as an opportunity to commemorate war veterans; Russians see it as glorifying fascism.
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