Czech Republic: Counter-protesters outnumber neo-Nazis in Plzeň
Approximately 70 neo-Nazis marched through the center of the Czech city of Plzeň today. The event was announced to local officials as a march for "upholding the rights of all decent citizens of this country and protesting the financing of the anti-Czech, racist ROMEA civic association by the Government of the Czech Republic."
About 300 counter-protesters gathered on Husovo Square, immediately adjacent to the route of the neo-Nazi march. The event took place without any larger incidents.
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Autor: Lukáš Houdek
When the neo-Nazi march was over, police officers on Husova and Tylova Streets detained two persons suspected of the misdemeanors of disturbing the peace and failing to obey official instructions. Ivana Telekešová, Regional Police spokesperson, informed the Czech News Agency of the detentions.
Telekešová would not be more specific about the alleged offenses. "We are continuing to monitor the situation. We will gradually reduce the equipment and forces deployed depending on people’s movements," she said when the march was over.
Right-wing radicals shouting the slogan "Bohemia for the Czechs" set out from the centrally-located Republika Square and marched through Františkánská Street, the Kopecký Orchards, Americká and Tylova Streets. Their aim was Emil Škoda Square across from the main entrance to the Škoda plant.
Counter-protesters were holding their own event on neighboring Husovo Square; of the roughly 200 people present, about 25 % were Romani, mainly residents of the locality. Another protest "happening" had been scheduled for in front of the Museum of West Bohemia, near the city center, but did not ultimately take place.
"This action is protesting against the march by the neo-Nazis through Plzeň. Instead of doing what Czechs usually do – packing up and leaving town – we prefer to gather, to play music, to sing, to dance and to have a good time. We will not let them intimidate us," said Lukáš Bartoň, organizer of the counter-protest, who believes the neo-Nazis intentionally planned their march to head for Husovo Square because a large Romani community lives in the neighborhood. "That’s why we have organized this here, so [the Roma] could have a good time with us here and not succumb to this intimidation," Bartoň said.
Hundreds of police were deployed in the streets, including reinforcements from Prague. A police helicopter flew over the city and canine units, heavy technology, and riot units were also ready to deploy.
