Thousands of opponents of compulsory vaccination passed from the center of Prague to Hradčany
Updates: 12/12/2021 18:19
Released: 12.12.2021, 16:44
Prague – Opponents of compulsory vaccination against covid-19 protested in the center of Prague this afternoon. According to police estimates, up to 5,000 people took part in the demonstration on Wenceslas Square, convened by the Chcípl pes initiative. The protesters with banners and flags then marched on the government headquarters. The event ended in the early evening on Hradčanské Square. Police did not intervene against the participants in the demonstration, only one person on suspicion of protecting the car.
Demonstrations on Wenceslas Square were presented by the speech of 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. They also pointed to the possible departure of police officers or members of the fire brigade, if vaccination is mandatory for these professions.
According to police estimates, 4,000 to 5,000 people gathered in the square, Jan Daněk, a spokesman for the Prague police, told ČTK. The demonstrators did not wear veils and did not keep their distance. People have called for policies calling for respect for existing anti-epidemic measures.
About an hour after the demonstration, they set out from Wenceslas Square to the government office. The procession of people carrying flags and banners reached the government headquarters at the Straka Academy, in front of which people chanted slogans such as Shame to the Government or Dot of Trap. The procession ended with the singing of an anthem on Hradčanské náměstí.
The police officers who supervised the event did not have to deal with any incident. Due to a possible offense by the provider of one person suspected of damaging the car, Daněk said.
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.