Lithuania: People in Vilnius stage protest in defence of trees

Several hundred people gathered in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, on 19 July 2023 to protest against plans by local property developer Dobilo Daigas to cut down nine trees in a small green space in the city centre, LRT reports. Dobilo Daigas plans to expand a café on the small square, which is part of the historic railway administration building. Vilnius mayor Valdas Benkunskas told the crowd of protesters that the Ministry of Culture sought to recognise the trees as cultural heritage. Earlier, a court satisfied an appeal of Dobilo Daigas against the municipality’s refusal to allow the company to cut down the trees. The Prosecutor General’s Office has opened an investigation.