Extremists may meet in Prague instead of Plzen after march banned

The neo-Nazis who planned to march in Plzen on Saturday may meet elsewhere instead, possibly in Prague, after Plzen Mayor Pavel Roedl banned the march, West Bohemian police told journalists today.

The march that was to pass by Plzen’s Great Synagogue was scheduled for January 19, one day after the 65th anniversary of the first transport of Jews from Plzen to the concentration camp.

An extremist website calls on those who planned to take part in the march to respect the ban, the police said.
They nevertheless said they expect up to some 700 extremists to gather, with some of them arriving from abroad.
Prague police told CTK they have information that the neo-Nazi meeting might take place at Palackeho namesti square in Prague.
Palackeho namesti square is a small version of London’s Hyde Park where people can legally organise public gatherings without an official permission from the authorities.

Prague police will increase the number of police in the streets in connection with the possible extremist gathering, Prague police spokesman Ladislav Bernasek told CTK.

The West Bohemian police said they would adopt extensive measures, too. One thousand policemen, water cannons, armoured carriers and a helicopter will be prepared for a possible intervention.

Roedl who banned the march on Thursday said he is prepared for the situation that a court may check his decision. He said Czech law allowed more than one interpretation and it was the court to decide on it (more here…).

Vaclav Bures, who organised the march, told CTK he would file a complaint against the ban, but not this week as it would be useless because a court would not decide on the complaint by Saturday anyway.

Bures said he himself would not march against the ban. He said he recommended others the same.

The event was announced as a protest march for freedom of expression and Plzen authorities originally permitted it.

The Plzen Jewish community said earlier this week it would stage a commemorative ceremony outside Plzen’s Great Synagogue on the day of the planned march. Nearly 3000 Plzen Jews perished in Nazi camps during World War Two.