Czech Republic: Two anti-Nazi events scheduled for 1 May in Brno

Two events have been announced for 1 May 2011 in Brno in response to the neo-Nazi march scheduled to take place there. One is a nonviolent blockade of the march, and the other is a gathering organized by the “We Don’t Want Neo-Nazis in Brno!” Initiative. This gathering has been properly announced and has not been banned by the authorities.

The Initiative is calling on citizens to get actively involved in the events awaiting Brno on 1 May and believes it is already clear that the permitted neo-Nazi march will proceed directly through a locality inhabited by Roma people, including Cejl street. “In addition to the simultaneous blockade by BRNO BLOCKS (BRNO BLOKUJE), we will be holding a protest gathering directly in the locality,” representatives of “We Don’t Want Neo-Nazis in Brno!” informed news server Romea.cz

This meeting of people protesting neo-Nazism will take place in the parking lot and square at the corner of Hviezdová and Bratislavská streets. “This gathering has been officially announced, so it is a legal action that will be under police protection. We will specify the precise start time at a later date,” organizers said.

Their invitation also says the following:

We are turning to you with a request for help with the gathering and the activities that are planned:

1. If you can, spread the news about 1 May in Brno among your friends.

2. There are fliers about this action available at the headquarters of IQ Roma servis (Hybešova 41 or Cejl 49, Brno). We would be very grateful if you could distribute them.

3. We will need volunteers to run the event, to keep the participants informed and to help with organizing. We would very much welcome your assistance if you are able and willing.

4. So far we have paid all of the costs for this event from our own resources. If you have any funds available that you would like to donate to organizing this event (to cover, for example, the printing and distribution of the fliers and the rental of a podium and musical equipment), we would really appreciate it. The budget for this event is CZK 19 750 and we have contributed CZK 7 250 from our own resources so far. You can send your contributions to bank account number 1187224163/0800.

5. Let everyone know what you think of the neo-Nazi march by hanging a banner from your window on 1 May. You should do this especially if you live in the places through which the neo-Nazis want to march.

6. If you know a celebrity who would like to personally get involved, please contact them. The more famous faces in attendance, the better. Strong public resistance to the neo-Nazi march might just result in its cancellation and dispersal.

Contact: info@vbrnenacistynechceme.cz