On Thursday, January 6, the deputy chairman of the Riga City Council, Linda Ozola, presented the national resistance movement member’s certificate and the national resistance movement member’s chest to Leo Hiršsons, who was recognized by the Saeima as a member of the national resistance movement at the end of last year.
“Thank you to all the people who helped so that not only me but everyone who deserves it could receive this certificate, badge and status. The first person who advocated for this status was our president, but it had to be arranged at the legislative level. Thanks to my friends and those around me, the law was changed and finally it has worked. Thanks again and keep up the good work!” emphasized L. Hirshson.
“You invested time and energy, knowledge and life experience to convey your convictions to young people – a generation that has greatly influenced the kind of country we live in today. Young people shape our future, so I currently pay special attention to work with youth in my work at the Riga City Council. You have also had a hand in the creation and founding of the National Guard. It is my pleasure to emphasize that the Riga municipality is currently placing great emphasis on strengthening cooperation with the National Guard and improving security readiness in the capital. Thank you very much and I bow my head to you for what you have done,” said L. Ozola.
The course of L. Hiršson’s life shows his active resistance to the Soviet occupation regime and his active actions were aimed at restoring the independence of the Republic of Latvia proclaimed on November 18, 1918.
L. Hirschson was arrested in 1989 for trafficking in firearms and ammunition and was convicted the following year. 1990. On May 4, L. Hirshson was welcomed to the State Security Committee’s investigative detention center, from which he was released on May 16 as the last de facto political prisoner to leave the KGB detention center.
In appreciation of Leo Hiršsson’s contribution to the restoration of Latvia’s national independence, as a member of the national resistance movement, he was appointed a Knight of the Viestura Order on October 19, 2018, and was awarded the Viestura Order for his special services to the Latvian state.
In the summer of 2021, the Saeima adopted amendments to the law “On the status of a member of the national resistance movement”. In accordance with the law, the Saeima decided on December 9 to recognize Leo Hiršsson as a member of the national resistance movement. He is the first member of the national resistance movement to be granted status by the Saeima.
