The Red Riflemen Monument is located next to the Occupation Museum of Latvia in The Latvian Riflemen Square. The monument, built in 1970, is to honor the Latvian red Riflemen, who guarded Lenin during the Russian Revolution of 1917. It is one of the few Communist symbols left in Riga.

Should it stay?
Some Latvians don't like the statue and would love to see it torn down. They see it as a symbol of the old Communist system. Other people think it is an important and necessary honor to Latvians who fought during the early years of World War I. Whatever your politics, it is an impressive monument.

Maira is the school secretary at ISL. Click here to read our interview with her about her experiences during Soviet times.

We asked Aivars Plucis, a mechanic from Pinki, about what he remembered from the Latvian Independence movement. Click here to read his interview.