600 held, 96 hurt in Estonia riots

[MissLT]

After all those years, why now?

To me time doesn't matter that much. What matters is that some Estonians dislike Russians and everything that is related to the USSR. For example in 80's they often showed disrespect to Russian speaking tourists. In 90's serious obstacles were created for Russians who lived there and wanted to get Estonian citizenship. A few days ago the Estonian goverment relocated the monument. In the future they are likely to do something else of this sort.

Honestly even though I don't want to support their actions they have some historical reasons to behave like this.

Well, I know that some Estonians detest Russians. Hardi never stops reminding me about this fact. He is one, by the way. Actually, cross that off, he hates everyone equally.

The bottom line is, they weren't irritated until last Saturday. I wonder why it took them all those years to make this move. Something or someone motivated them to do it, and the dangerous part is not the violent act itself. It's the motivation that we should be concerned. Hate crime should be taken serious.

[Hardi]

You meant they weren't allowed to visit it until Estonia joined the EU?

How did u understand it that way? Are you serious? They were allowed to go there, they drink even vodka there and had party at 9th. may. I was mean before joining EU and NATO there were no conflicts.. (make your own conclusions from that..) Actually I think it was after last year 9 th. may when they but a fence for some time. And a Police guard to guard it. To avoid vandalism and such

I don't get why it all happened, for me and most Estonians who I know that Statue could stay there for ever.. but situation become intolerable.. Some idiot making some graffiti and Russian media yell fascism.. Yeah that's why I say it was last time to move it away. Now when it moved to graveyard of deffence power, it should be better..

[Hardi]

Yes on 80's Estonians did not like Russians here, and there were plenty of reasons, but someone to think that now after becoming independent. Estonians still hate Russians or even connive how to hurt them...
To hate, I need reason. Otherwise I would be idiot.. it would make only my own life miserable.

[wllsp]

Yes on 80's Estonians did not like Russians here, and there were plenty of reasons, but someone to think that now after becoming independent. Estonians still hate Russians or even connive how to hurt them...

You can believe in whatever you want to believe. However as far as I can see the Estonian govermant did hurt feelings of Russians including those who are citizens of Estonia by deciding to relocate monument in that fashion. If Russians had felt nothing about it they would not have come to protect the monument.

[Hardi]

I agree, that Estonian goverment did it, in a nasty way. They could do better. Why they didn't do that 10 years ago? Then nobody could not even noticed that it's gone. They could do it also on winter on this year, or wait some longer and do it aftr 9 th. may.