Czech ultra-right extremists plan to commemorate 10th anniversary of their attempted pogrom on Romani people

The Workers Social Justice Party (DSSS) is planning a demonstration for Saturday, 17 November at the Janov housing estate in Litvínov to commemorate their “Day of National Unity” protest from 10 years ago and to commemorate the unrest they unleashed in 2008. The event has already been announced to local authorities, according to the Most edition of Deník.cz.

In 2008 hundreds of neo-Nazis traveled from all over the country to the town of Litvínov where, supported by local non-Romani residents, they demonstrated against the Romani residents there. During their march to the Janov housing estate they clashed with police, who used tear gas and water cannon to prevent what was apparently an attempt to undertake the biggest anti-Romani pogrom in northern Bohemia of modern times.

News server Romea.cz reported on that unrest at the time (link here). Deník.cz is now reporting that an opposition local assembly member, Petr Globočník from a group called “Litvínov Do toho” (Litvínov Get To It) is calling on the city council to get involved with the problem and to send the clear message that its solution to the situation locally will be absolutely different from that of the neo-Nazis.

“This will be a commemoration of the anniversary of the neo-Nazi protests that marched on Janov. The City of Litvínov should make it clear that the way we address the issue of Janov today will be something absolutely different from what [DSSS chair] Mr Vandas will be submitting for our consideration,” Globočník told the daily.