Gailis, who heads the labor-interest NGO LABA, organized the picket in the union’s name as being a protest against the government’s tax policies.
LABA had previously come under scrutiny from the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) for possibly improper ties to Riga City Council executive agencies after a union meeting that appeared more like a Harmony pre-election campaign event was allowed to take place on official municipal premises at the end of August, reported LTV investigative news program de facto.
Both Gailis and Harmony’s nominee for prime minister Nils Ušakovs (also Harmony party chief and current mayor of Riga) took part in the meeting at the city’s Pārdaugava district offices, calling specifically for those present to vote for Harmony in the 12th Saeima.
A number of participants spoke out generally against current government policies, urging those present to whistle and boo at those in power to put their inaction to shame.
Many at the rally wore transparent orange ponchos, blowing whistles, banging drums and other noise-making objects.
Posters carried by participants showed slogans such as “Pensioners want to live, too”, “No to austerity at workers’ expense!”
