Thousands of demonstrators are heading from the center of Prague to the CT building
Update: 17/11/2022 15:41
Issued by: 11/17/2022, 2:24 p.m
Prague – Thousands of demonstrators are marching from the center of Prague to the Czech Television building this afternoon. The participants of the protest, who summoned the organizer of the anti-government demonstrations, Ladislav Vrabel, want to demonstrate “for the release of appearances on the ČT broadcast”. The protest march complicated traffic in Prague, the police closed the main road in the direction from the center, and the transport company is also diverting replacement bus service for metro C in the excluded section between Florence and the Prague Uprising.
Demonstrators gathered around 2:00 p.m. in Opletalová Street near Hlavní nádraží, according to CTK’s estimate, there are thousands of them. Near the State Opera, they came out onto the highway, which they marched out of the city on. After an hour, they reached the Nuselský most, which is roughly halfway along the march route.
The police are diverting traffic from the highway in the direction from the center to Pankrác, they have closed the road for cars. The closure of the thoroughfare also complicated the replacement bus service after metro C. The transport company diverts the bus in the direction of the Prague Uprising via Myslíkova and Podolské nábřeží.
According to Czech Television’s statement on Twitter, the protesters are asking that their representative’s ten-minute speech be broadcast on ČT1 and ČT24. “It doesn’t work like that. The CT program is determined by rules, codes, standard procedures. Not pressure. CT cannot broadcast speeches at will. And it won’t,” TV representatives said on Wednesday at twitter. At the same time, Vrabel told journalists that the protest at the Kavče Horá will be peaceful, with about 12 speakers speaking in front of the building.
According to the ČTK reporter, the demonstrators on the spot have Czech flags and banners with the inscriptions “ČT belongs to everyone” or “Freedom ends where the CT signal begins”. As they march, they shout “it’s here”, “resign” and “shame on the government” and whistle. Some carry the flags of the non-parliamentary Tricolor movement.
Police are monitoring the protest. The Prague police already announced on Wednesday that they are ready to do their best to ensure public order and the protection of health and property. She warned drivers about the afternoon traffic restrictions between Wenceslas Square and Kavčí hory and warned residents that some streets near the television headquarters will be completely impassable until the evening.
Vrabel, who, according to the media, remains subject to a series of executions, has organized several anti-government demonstrations in recent months. At the last one, held on October 28, according to police estimates, tens of thousands of people gathered. During the protest, there were petition stands of the Free or presidential candidates Josef Skála (KSČM) and Alena Vitásková on the square. After the demonstration, clashes broke out between supporters and opponents in front of the National Museum. Some protesters also clashed with the police.