Lithuanians in Vancouver celebrate 30th anniversary of the 'Baltic Way' human chain

Friday marks the30thanniversary of the so-called Baltic Way demonstration that sawtwomillion people forma human chain protesting Soviet rule in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Thirty years later, the protest has had alasting impact onthe Baltic states and beyond. The demonstration influencedprotestors in Hong Kong Friday as they held hands in protest, inspired by the Baltic chain.

Vancouver lawyer LinasAntanavicius, aLithuanian whojoined the pro-independence movement when he was in Grade 11, said he was happy to see Hong Kongers employ the same tactics.

"I wish people in Hong Kong all the best in achieving their goals," he said.

Human chain link stretched almost 700 kilometres

The human chain stretched almost 700 kilometres across the three Baltic countries, as the protesters showed their solidarity and theirdesire for autonomy.

Antanaviciussaid it was a "movement for all"because everyone supported independence.

"There were traffic jams so many people wanted to participate. The human chain lasted an hour or so, but it was a whole-day event," he said.

Word of mouth and a movement song

PaulPlikusas, a programmer in Vancouver, was at the time an IT manager at a Soviet-run construction company. He remembers how everyone was buzzing about the demonstration.

"It was all over Lithuania and word of mouth was big. I'm proud that I was a part of that movement and that I did participate," he said.

There was one song in particular that played a key role in the independence movement: Baltics Are Waking Upwas a rallying call sung in all three Baltic languages.

"The melodies are kind of catchy," saidPlikusas.

"It was very moving,"Antanaviciussaid.

Fears about a crackdown

After more than two months of protests,Antanaviciushopes Hong Kongershave the same successin achieving a democratic state that he and his countrymendid all those years ago.

"I hope everything will be resolved in a peaceful manner. Thecasualtiesin 1991 was relatively low.I hope people in Hong Kong are able to do the same," he said.

A Baltic Wayanniversary event was to be heldat Vancouver'sJericho Beach Friday evening.