About 100 Roma decided to take a stand against neo-Nazis meeting for a
concert in Jirkov. After the police were unable to protect a peaceful
demonstration against neo-Nazism in Chomutov on 3. 5. 2009, the Roma have
decided not to take any chances and to provide for their own security.
The Roma have shown they are prepared to defend themselves against the neo-Nazis.
"The Roma feel threatened. On the one hand, they perceive the rise in extremist
tendenices, and on the other hand they are concerned because they do not know
where this is heading," Jan Šipoš, chair of the Roma Council, described the mood
to Deník.cz.
In his view, the arson attack on the family in Vítkov and the disruption of the
recent demonstration organized by Roma have made things worse. Several dozen
right-wing radicals provoked the demonstrators on 3 May, throwing flares and
smoke bombs into the crowd.
The anti-conflict team and Romani leaders succeeded in calming the acute
situation. "Some people wanted a radical solution, but I calmed them by saying
that the police were there to supervise. Others came because they knew we are
here and we are not afraid," Šipoš described the atmosphere on the scene to
Deník.cz.
"The concert itself took place without incident. After 11, a small group of Roma
met on the square near Ervěnice. They were informed that the extremists wanted
to attack them. The anti-conflict team refuted that information and the Roma
dispersed peacefully," Chomutov police spokesperson Marie Pivková told tn.cz.
Workers Party Vice-Chair Petr Kotáb participated in the neo-Nazi concert.
