The Riga City Municipal Police has initiated administrative violation proceedings in connection with an event that took place on the 15th of July near the Freedom Monument, triggered by internet celebrity “IShowSpeed.”
According to the Riga Municipal Police’s official Facebook account, the circumstances of the event are currently being clarified, and the individuals involved and responsible are being identified.
No further public information will be provided at this time regarding the situation or the actions taken or planned by the police.
As previously reported by BNN, the arrival of internet personality “IShowSpeed” in Riga, Latvia, on Tuesday, the 15th of July, attracted several thousand fans—mostly young people—to various gathering points.
The popular streamer and YouTube content creator visited the Āgenskalns Market, Victory Park, the Freedom Monument, and the Latvian Radio building in Dome Square.
He was welcomed at Riga Airport by Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis (ZZS)
and Riga City Council member Mairis Briedis (S),
according to footage shared on “IShowSpeed’s” YouTube channel. Later, he visited Āgenskalns Market, where he sampled various Latvian foods.
At Victory Park, the internet personality arrived escorted by the police, and upon stepping out of the vehicle, he was immediately surrounded by dozens of fans.
“IShowSpeed” baked bread and planted a tree in Victory Park.
After visiting the park, the streamer went to the Freedom Monument, where a few thousand fans were waiting, along with the President of the Latvian Basketball Association and former President of Latvia, Raimonds Vējonis. “IShowSpeed” also climbed onto the platform of the Freedom Monument, which sparked outrage among some residents on social media.
Some individuals expressed disapproval by making rude gestures
and even threw a banana at the blogger, hitting him in the head.
Following the Freedom Monument visit, the internet personality went to the Latvian Radio building, where he appeared on the balcony with members of the music group “Olas.”
He was met by several thousand fans, and around ten police units maintained order.
The crowd in Dome Square chanted various slogans, including “Latvia” and “IShowSpeed.” Inside the Radio building, “IShowSpeed” also met with Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (P).
The Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) informed the LETA news agency that as part of his European tour, “IShowSpeed” would spend only a few hours in Latvia on Tuesday.
LIAA stated that this was a valuable opportunity to promote Latvia as an open, dynamic, and interesting country
to a broad international audience.
Given the influencer’s impact and potential, LIAA identified his visit to Latvia as a significant opportunity for raising the country’s international visibility.
At the same time, LIAA emphasized that “IShowSpeed’s” content creation is independent and not subject to LIAA’s influence.
Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported that “IShowSpeed’s” visit to Estonia cost 30,000 euros and was organized by the Business and Innovation Foundation (EISA).
The only expenses incurred were related to transportation and security during his visit to Tallinn.
A private jet was jointly chartered by organizations in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to transport “IShowSpeed.”
Meanwhile, LIAA representatives told LETA that they could not yet disclose Latvia’s expenses, as the calculations are still in progress.
Darren Jason Watkins, widely known as “IShowSpeed” or simply “Speed,” is an American YouTube content creator, internet personality, and live streamer with a global audience.
One of the main focuses of his content is travel experiences, which he shares via live broadcasts, engaging with millions of viewers in real time.
He has more than 40 million followers on YouTube and 37 million on Instagram.
Earlier on Tuesday, “IShowSpeed” visited Estonia, where he met with the prime minister. After his visit to Latvia, he continued on to Lithuania.
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