Czech Republic: Gathering against violence today in České Budějovice

Today at 16:00 CET a gathering will be held on Piaristické Square in České Budějovice organized by local democrats from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum who say they want to "clearly express that a significant proportion of the citizens of České Budějovice strongly disagree with all manifestations of antigypsyism and and extremism. Under no circumstances is it possible to resolve problems through violence." 

The organizers say they do not want to gloss over the difficulties in coexistence at the Máj housing estate and are aware of the seriousness of the situation. "All citizens who are wronged should speak up and discuss what is going on in a cultivated way. We must not succumb to mob psychosis or consider even the slightest manifestation of violence as a possible solution. Violence will only worsen the situation," the organizers have written in their statement calling on the citizens of České Budějovice to come out and peacefully express their "need to live in a healthy society".

Three more events tomorrow

On Saturday, 13 July, three more assemblies are taking place in České Budějovice. Two of them are against both the police and Romani people. The first such event includes a march from the square to the Máj housing estate and is being organized by convicted con artist Lukáš Kohout and neo-Nazi Jaromír Pytel. The second such event, called "Against Police Brutality", will take place in front of the multiplex cinema near the Máj housing estate. Moreover, both events may eventually intersect near the multiplex, which is located across from a retirement home.   

The third assembly on Saturday will take place at the Máj housing estate. It is a cultural and social "happening" convened by the Konexe civic association.

Police have detained dozens of people during recent anti-Roma demonstrations in České Budějovice. For the time being, three people have been charged on suspicion of assaulting public officials. One man threw rocks at the officers, another physically assaulted them, and the third is the organizer of the first such assembly, which was held on 29 June. At that assembly, the 24-year-old man from České Budějovice called on demonstrators to march on the Máj housing estate, a plan that had not been announced to authorities. 

In recent days, several brawls have taken place in the town. First, on 21 June, children got into a conflict at a playground that was subsequently joined by about 100 adults. Police intervened at the scene.

In response to that conflict, a demonstration was held on 29 June. When it was over, several hundred demonstrators headed for the Máj housing estate, where some clashed with police. 

On Saturday, 6 July, police intervened at the housing estate against anti-Roma demonstrators who stormed the estate after holding an unannounced assembly in the center of town which local authorities dispersed. Demonstrators wanted to head en masse to the housing estate, where a Romani "happening" was being held. Hundreds of police officers were waiting on the scene for them. More police than usual have remained in place at the housing estate since then.

On Tuesday of this week, several hundred people met in a sports hall in České Budějovice where the town leadership held a public meeting about the anti-Romani unrest at Máj. Representatives of the municipality and police answered questions about the situation in the locality for three hours in an agitated atmosphere. Many of those in attendance complained they do not feel safe at the housing estate, where many members of the Romani minority live. 

News server Romea.cz presents in full translation below the statement from those convening today’s gathering against violence:

Citizens of České Budějovice do not approve of violence or manifestations of hatred

Through this gathering, we want to clearly express that a significant proportion of the citizens of České Budějovice strongly disagree with all manifestations of antigypsyism and extremism. Under no circumstances is it possible to resolve problems through violence.

We do not want to gloss over the difficulties in coexistence at the Máj housing estate and we are aware of the seriousness of the situation. All citizens who are wronged should speak up and discuss what is going on in a cultivated way. We must not succumb to mob psychosis or consider even the slightest manifestation of violence as a possible solution. Violence will only worsen the situation.

Let’s change the current atmosphere in the town of České Budějovice, as it is giving the impression that a large number of citizens here tolerate extremism or that some even support it.

History has already taught us that extremism cannot be tolerated and must be stood up to in time.

We call on the citizens of České Budějovice to come peacefully express their need to live in a healthy society. Let’s reject violence and manifestations of hatred. Let’s solve our problems, however difficult they are, constructively.  

Antonín Hořčica
Ludmila Cinková
Petr Znoj
Karol Lesný
Tomáš Mařík
Monika Říhová
Ivo Vlasatý
Radka Doležalová
Vladimír Čadek
Markéta Málková
Jaromír Frcal