‘We hugged each other during the cold nights’: the role of affect in an anti-deportation protest network in Finland

This article analyses the role of affect and emotions in Finland’s first large-scale anti-deportation protest, 2017 Right to Live protest Helsinki. Despite deportation protests having recently gained scholarly attention, their emotional dimensions have not been sufficiently studied, especially as concerns protestors with vulnerable legal status. is based on in-depth interviews key activists network Finland, including asylum seekers, refugees Finnish citizens. The argues that order for seekers facing threat become public visible, it was important citizens who supported cause only offered material assistance but also shared emotions. applies Margaret Wetherell’s theoretical concept affective practices analyse interactions between supporters, Sara Ahmed’s circulation economies explain how played a mobilizing protesters sustaining protest. concludes within supporters produced lasting value during after ended. Strong ties enabled protesters’ function effectively challenging political climate despite network’s lack formal organization, leadership ideological premises.