Video, photo: People on Wenceslas Square wanted the resignation of the government and a tilt towards Russia
This time too, according to the reporter from Deník, the square was full and, according to the organizers’ estimates, more people came than at the end of September. But the police estimated that there were less than tens of thousands of participants, which is similar or less than last time.
Source: Diary/Radek Cihla
For example, Pavel F. from Zábřeh in Moravia traveled to Prague, he said he would like Tomio Okamura in the government.
“Mr. Babiš was far better than Fiala,” said Anna K., a pensioner working in Germany.
“I don’t agree with Fiala, I don’t support Babiš, but clearly under Babiš the economy went up,” said Miroslav V. from Prague.
Source: Diary/Radek Cihla
For the third time, Daniel P., a rescuer from South Moravia, came with his friends to the Czech Republic initiative in 1st place. According to him, they do not recognize extreme views, they want peace. But the Czech Republic is said to lack a strong leader, so it does not know who should be the head of the government. “Going back to Babiš, however, is from mud to puddle,” he told Denik.
Demonstration on Wenceslas Square on October 28, 2022.
According to the Deník reporter, people on the spot also announced that they wanted gas from Russia or the Czech Republic’s withdrawal from the EU.
General Hynek Blažko spoke on stage. He told the people not to give up.
“We are moving towards a non-violent revolution. We will push the government further until it resigns,” declared Jaroslav Skála.
“We need media with different opinions so that we can choose the best one. The public should have the opportunity to vote for the Council of Czech Television and the CEO of Czech Television. We need to get an alternative channel for alternative and different opinions,” said Petr Bohuš, former news editor of Czech Television.
“The government is killing people, let’s face it. It’s time for the Czech voice to be heard. We will break the way for you, the power is in your voice,” declared Mrs. Petra, another speaker on the podium.
Speakers alternated on the stage, among whom was, for example, former Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek. KSČM chairwoman Kateřina Konečná and former MP Lubomír Volný (Free bloc) also spoke.
Several dozen opponents of this demonstration also gathered in the upper part of the square in front of the National Theatre. They expressed support for Ukraine, the European Union and the Green Deal.
The speakers said that they will march to the Czech Republic on November 17 to be heard by millions of people on television.
Petition for the resignation of the government
There was also a stand where people could sign a petition for the resignation of the government. According to the organizers, 37 thousand signatures were obtained during the last event.
Against the government, against the prices, against the EU, against everything. There was a demonstration on ‘Václavák’
The entire event was supervised by patrols of the Police of the Czech Republic.
According to the statement of police spokesman Jan Daňko, no extraordinary security measures were planned. “The entire event will be supervised by police patrols, as is the case with every demonstration,” Daněk told Deník.
“After the end of the rally, some people started to fight each other on Wenceslas Square. The police separated the disrespectful groups from each other and charged two people with misdemeanors. Traffic on the highway was restricted for several minutes,” the police said on Twitter. “There were four arrested persons in the final. In all cases, it was a matter of misdemeanors,” they added later.
The initiative of the Czech Republic in 1st place organized demonstrations in the center of Prague already on September 3 and 28. Tens of thousands of people participated.
Looking for Ferdinand Vaněk
A former student of Charles University made a good day of the organizers and demonstrators during the demonstration. He had it announced that he was looking for grandfather Ferdinand Vaňko. That is, the name that was the alter ego of Václav Havel and the character of several of his plays. “I got the idea already at the previous demonstrations, where lost people were called out like this. I love that ad from the Red Right and I was a little afraid that they would figure it out when it was its anniversary again at the beginning of October. But no one knew anything.” Marko Vukadinović described his idea to Reflex magazine. He recalled an advertisement that appeared in Red Law in 1989 and wished the number one enemy of the pro-Russian communist regime a happy birthday.
I do not feel contempt for the demonstrators, but I am horrified, said Matouš Fendrych
Interview with Matouš Fendrych, coordinator and producer of the non-profit organization Million moments for democracy and students of economic universities.
Did you expect such a turnout at Friday’s demonstration?
I expected something similar. The biggest problem is that the scared part of society is to get together and make something like this happen… I don’t feel contempt for the demonstrator, but I am scared.
What do you think about it?
It’s awfully easy to say strong things and divide society, but what then? Really just hateful gestures.
And something specific?
I am completing my engineering studies at the Faculty of Business Administration of the University of Economics in Prague, and what is even more interesting to me is that the dean of the faculty, Miroslav Ševčík, is speaking here. This is a big problem because school grounds should not be politically engaged in any way and unfortunately this is happening. I don’t want to study at a school that doesn’t share my views. But we can also talk about the presidential representation of the state.
A demonstration awaits you on Sunday, October 30. How are you doing with security?
We have adopted security measures, after previously operating on a volunteer basis. Recently, we have had to push especially for a gender-balanced type of voluntary groups. We also had to pay for the security service, which is politically non-conflicting.
Are you shooting a video with Petr Pithart, will you perform at the demonstration on Sunday?
It is supposed to be a promo video as an invitation to the Sunday demonstrations. Mr. Pithart attends the demonstration but does not perform.
What kind of turnout do you expect for your demonstration?
I would say that it will be similar to the previous events that we have organized. We had twenty thousand for Ukraine, I expect a similar turnout, but anything can happen. Our fellow citizens of the countryside, who organize themselves, play a big role in this. When they decide to come, they usually arrive in droves.
Demonstration on September 3:
Demonstration on September 28: