Prague, May 1 (CTK) – No major incidents occurred during demonstrations, marches and meetings of various groups and parties organised in the city on Sunday, Prague police spokeswoman Andrea Zoulova told CTK.
The police temporarily closed the Manes Bridge between the Old Town and the Small Side central districts to prevent possible clashes between left-wing radicals who marched to the Jan Palach Square and the far-right Bloc against Islam whose supporters ended their march in Klarov, which is on the other side of the bridge.
About 400 people joined the Bloc’s protest march against illegal migration and Islamisation of Europe.
The anarchists and leftist radicals supported the accepting of refugees and criticised capitalism, tax havens and xenophobia.
The small extremist National Democracy organised a rally and a march, at which it criticised the EU, NATO and the Czech government. Its supporters attacked reporters, but they calmed down after a police warning.
The Communist (opposition KSCM) supporters traditionally met at the Krizik Fountain and criticised the government.
The students organised Majales festival of youth and spring, a parade with masks and costumes through the city’s centre that rejects any kind of hatred and intolerance.
In the morning, anarchists met at the Shooters’ Island where the first Prague May Day gathering was held in 1890.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka celebrated May Day in his home region, South Moravia, where he promised higher wages to medical workers and teachers.
In the South Moravian centre, Brno, a group staged an event mocking ani-immigrant gatherings of right-wing extremists.
In Usti nad Labem, north Bohemia, the far-right Workers’ Party of Social Justice (DSSS) criticised Prague and Brussels for their attitude to the migrant crisis. The event was supported by controversial businessman Petr Benda, who had been a close ally to former CSSD leader Jiri Paroubek.
