Thousands of opponents of compulsory vaccination go from the center of Prague to Hradčany
Updates: 12/12/2021 16:48
Released: 12.12.2021, 16:44
Prague – Opponents of anti-epidemic measures convened by the Chcípl pes initiative are protesting in the center of Prague. They are demonstrating against the compulsory vaccination against covid-19 and against the alleged violation of personal freedoms and Czech constitutions. According to police estimates, 4,000 to 5,000 protesters gathered on Wenceslas Square. At around 15:00 they marched to the government office and to Hradčany. Police detained one person on suspicion of a misdemeanor.
Demonstrations on Wenceslas Square began at 2 pm with a speech by the chairman of the initiative, I Wanted Jakub Olbert, who welcomed those present “on the island of freedom”. Other speakers mentioned, in addition to criticizing the plan for compulsory vaccinations, the problems that self-employed people got due to anti-epidemic measures.
The demonstrators in the square did not wear veils and did not keep their distance. People have called for policies calling for respect for existing anti-epidemic measures. According to police estimates, 4,000 to 5,000 people gathered in the square, Jan Daněk, a spokesman for the Prague police, told ČTK.
An hour after the start of the demonstration, the participants marched from Wenceslas Square to the government office. The procession of people carrying flags and banners went to Straka’s academy without incident, the police had no reason to intervene against them. Due to a possible offense, they detained only one person suspected of damaging the car, Daněk said.
Protesters will head to Hradčany from the Straka Academy. They plan to end the event at the statue of the first Czechoslovak president Tomáš Garrigu Masaryk on Hradčanské náměstí.
Compulsory vaccinations against the coid for selected professions and people over the age of 60 were introduced by the incumbent government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) in March next year. Representatives of the new government have already announced that the blanket age vaccination obligation has been abolished.
So far, the last big event of the Chcípl pes initiative was at the end of November, a gathering on the Letná Plain in Prague. The police estimate that there were about 2,500 to 3,000 opponents of the government and measures against the covid-19 pandemic.
Another protest joint initiative is planned for the last day of this year in the Old Town Square. According to the chairman of the initiative, Olbert and vice-chairman Jiří Janeček, the purpose is to give people hope and faith by next year.