On 23 August 1987, the 48th anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, LLL organized the first anti-Soviet rally that was not forcibly dispersed by the Soviet militsiya. The event tested the limits of glastnost and other liberal Soviet reforms and is often cited as one of the first signs of the Lithuanian independence movement. The rally took place near St. Anne's Church, Vilnius and attracted some 500–1,000 participants. While the militsiya monitored the event and reportedly KGB agents took pictures and video of the protesters, the speakers were not interrupted. Demands raised at the event included publication of the Pact, rehabilitation of those deported into Siberia, and greater rights to the Catholic Church. TASS, the official Soviet news agency, labeled the event as a "hate rally" and participants as "aggressive extremists." Other major rallies took place on February 16, 1988, the anniversary of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, and on other sensitive dates from the history of Lithuania.
The Feast of Batons. Removal of Songaila and Mitkin
On 28 September 1988, the League organized an unsanctioned rally to commemorate the German–Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Demarcation in the Cathedral Square, Vilnius. Activists of more moderate reform movement Sąjūdis clearly distanced themselves from the event. The protesters were met by Soviet militsiya and Soviet Internal Troops from Vilnius and Minsk armed with batons and bulletproof vests. The peaceful protesters and even people who passed by were attacked and brutally beaten with batons. Around 25 people were arrested. When the militsiya suddenly left the scene, the peaceful protest continued for another hour and a half. The event got the ironic name as Bananų balius In the early morning of September 29, militiamen beat and arrested a group of dissidents on a hunger strike near Vilnius Cathedral. The group, under leadership of Algimantas Andreika, protested the treatment of political prisoners. Outraged by such an unprovoked attack, LLL organized a follow-up rally the same day. Activists of Sąjūdis, including its leader Vytautas Landsbergis, not only participated in the rally but also openly questioned the Soviet authorities how such an incident fit into the official program of glastnost and perestroika. It was the first time that Sąjūdis actively supported and advocated on behalf of LLL. The arrested people were released the same day. In the following weeks the activists called for the resignation of Ringaudas Songaila, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Lithuania. R. Songaila was replaced with Algirdas Brazauskas on October 19, 1988. Main organiser and initiator of the forcefull dispersion of the peacefull rally, Second Secretary of the Communist Party of Lithuania Nikolay Mitkin was removed as well in January 1998. It was the first time, then the direct placement of the Kremlin was removed by the votes of the apparatus of the Communist Party of Lithuania
Relations with Sąjūdis
Due to LLL's uncompromising agenda of full independence, the organization did not enjoy widespread support among the skeptic Lithuanian society. More prominent scientists, artists, and other activists joined Sąjūdis reform movement, which had more moderate agenda and was established with permission from the Soviet authorities. The relationship between the two organizations was complex. While both organizations shared similar goals, LLL was more willing to confront and Sąjūdis preferred to compromise. The League was a "doer" while Sąjūdis was the "talker." Lithuanians abroad described Sąjūdis as "government approved" and LLL as "patriotic." At first Sąjūdis distanced itself from the dissident organization hoping not to tarnish its good reputation and respectable image. In the public opinion, dissidents were discredited, brought fear of arrest or other persecution, and were seen as people without a future. The presence of LLL saved Sąjūdis from the "extremist" label. However, after a violent suppression of one of the LLL's rallies, both organizations grew closer together. When Sąjūdis opted for open membership, dissidents were free to join its ranks and in fact became its left wing. The League played an important role by marking all more sensitive dates from the history of Lithuania with protest rallies or declarations thus stirring up suppressed collective memory and revising official Soviet versions of the events. It also helped to radicalize the independence movement, hastening political reforms and declaration of independence.
