states are young men, not families with children. They cannot be called refugees," said Sils.

"'Homeland Guards' is not the place to pretend to be a warrior. Training, hiking and competitions show who is who," the group's website declares. It also has a video showing members of the organization giving speeches while dressed in military fatigues.

Organizers expect the picket to draw more than a few dozen participants - including Saeima members, who would in effect be protesting against their own government's policies.

The National Alliance, a partner in Latvia's center-right government coalition, is also among the organizations expressing support for the protest.

Janis Dombrava, an MP of the National Alliance faction in parliament, told BNS that he is considering participation in the protest.

Asked if this will not amount to a protestagainst the government, represented by his own party, Dombrava said that it is "time for the government to become aware of the diversity of opinions among the government parties".

The lawmaker also criticized the government for deciding the refugee issue without consulting parliament.

He later tweeted an invitation "to everyone to participate in the protest action... AGAINST taking new immigrants into Latvia" - notably referring to "immigrants" rather than "refugees":

Aicinu ikvienu 4. augustā 18:00 pie Ministru Kabineta pievienoties protesta akcijā PRET jaunu ieceļotāju uzņemšanu Latvijā. — Jānis Dombrava (@janisdombrava) July 20, 2015

National Alliance co-chairman Raivis Dzintars also voiced support for the protest, describing it as a "welcome civic initiative". Dzinars is also set to call on fellow party members to take part in the picket. He did not reveal, though,