Nový Bor violence sparks demonstration

A Czech group calling itself Homeland Security (Bezpečí Domova) is using the Facebook social networking site to convene a demonstration responding to a bar fight that took place Sunday in the town of Nový Bor. After non-Romani locals reportedly physically assaulted two Romani youths in the bar, the Roma fled the scene and then returned with reinforcements armed with machetes and truncheons, where they attacked several guests. Three men were injured, one of them quite seriously. “We want to demonstrate, in a peaceful way, our disagreement with the state of security protections in our town,” the group’s invitation to the demonstration reads.

The Roma attack took place around 13:30 CET in Purkyňova street. Of the three men injured, two were aged 36 and one aged 31. Doctors said they have all suffered serious injuries. Two of the men remain hospitalized, one in intensive care. Doctors have released the third victim. The men suffered primarily cuts and lacerations during the attack.

One of the Romani assailants (aged 37) was charged on Monday evening with committing grievous bodily harm. The court remanded him into custody on Thursday, according to Ivana Baláková, spokesperson for the police in Česká Lípa. Should the court find him guilty, he faces between five and 12 years in prison. A second assailant, a 15-year-old youth, was arrested Sunday.

Štefan Gorol, chair of the Czech-Romani association in Nový Bor, told news server Romea.cz: “We primarily greatly regret this has occurred.” However, in his view the situation was not as clear-cut and simple as the media has reported.

According to Mr Gorol, three young Romani boys aged 15-17 were playing the video poker machines in the bar and won. When they asked the barmaid to cash in their winnings, she refused and asked to see their identification. On the previous day she had also allegedly asked them for their identification and had then let them play on the machines even though she was aware of their age.

The youths evidently responded to her refusal to pay by swearing at her. Some of the (non-Romani) guests responded by physically attacking the young Roma. Mr Gorol claims the guests’ appearance and dress made them look like followers of the extreme right (the vague term he used to describe them was “skins”).

The Roma fled the bar and then returned with their relatives to commit the attack that has been reported in the media. “We are not taking anyone’s side, we’re not saying this didn’t happen, but once again, imprecise information shows all of the Roma here in a bad light, and we want to correct the record. Nothing happens without a causal factor to it. This one-sided information kindles anti-Romani sentiment and we fear it could grow into something much worse,” Mr Gorol said.

The demonstration is not the only response to Sunday’s attack. Tomorrow Mr Gorol will hold a press conference on behalf of the association.