Defenders of Freedom Day in Washington, DC
On January 12, friends of Lithuania and diplomatic community joined Lithuanian Embassy and the Lithuanian Community in the traditional annual tribute run in Washington, DC, dedicated to the Defenders of Lithuania’s Freedom. The 13th of January marks the anniversary of when unarmed and singing Lithuania challenged the aggression of the Soviet Union. Soviet tanks killed 14 and injured around 1000 civilians who stood tall defending the Lithuanian Parliament and the main TV tower. These defenders became the symbol of Unity of the people of Lithuania and of victory in fight for Freedom. Every year a tribute run is being organized in Lithuanian cities and around the world to remember those who died and who fought for Lithuania’s freedom.
The Embassy of Lithuania on January 13 joined the civic initiative "Memory is Alive through Testimony", undergoing in all Lithuanian schools and public institutions. The Embassy team lit the candles in the windows to remember the civilians killed by Soviet troops in 1991, and formed a Forget Me Not flower out of the lit candles, which is a sign of respect to the heroic sacrifice that the Lithuanian people demonstrated while defending Lithuanian freedom. The memorial candles symbolize life, light, justice, memory, and unity.
