Prague, Nov 12 (CTK) – Almost 20 meetings have been officially planned in Prague on the November 17 Czech national holiday and duly announced beforehand, but many of them are protest meetings unrelated to the Nazi crackdown on Czech universities or the fall of communism on November 17, 1939 and 1989, respectively.
Most of the meetings have been convoked by opponents and advocates of migration, supporters and critics of President Milos Zeman.
The organisers of last year´s November 17 protest against Zeman, where the participants showed red cards to him, will stage a meeting in the Narodni street with the motto “a card for the next president.” The participants will be asked to write on cards the name of the person they would like to replace Zeman.
Later the crowd will leave for the Wenceslas Square, where another group will be holding a Goodwill Meeting.
Wenceslas Square will also be the final destination of a march of the Czech volunteers, who recently helped Middle East and African refugees on the border crossings in the Balkans.
They will depart from the Peace Square after reuniting with the Refugees Welcome group of critics of xenophobia.
Zeman´s supporters critical of the refugee wave will meet at Wenceslas Square as well at a demonstration with the motto “For our culture and safe country.” The participants have been asked to carry green cards as an expression of their support for Zeman.
People can also support Zeman during his visit to Prague-Albertov, a site linked to the November 1939 and 1989 events.
The far-right Workers´ Party of Social Justice (DSSS) will stage an anti-migrant demonstration at the Republic Square.
Another event in the Narodni street will be aimed against communism. The participants want to form a live chain in remembrance of the victims of the communist regime.
A concert promoting the values of freedom and democracy is to start outside the National Theatre building at 10:00 and last until midnight.
Several planned events relate neither to Zeman nor migration.
The Old Town Square, for example, will host a demonstration of the opponents of Finance Minister and ANO leader Andrej Babis.
Apart from demonstrations, several events will be held to traditionally mark the November 1939 and 1989 anniversaries.
Representatives of the government Social Democratic Party (CSSD) will meet at the November 1989 memorial in the Narodni street in the presence of the party leader and PM Bohuslav Sobotka.
Divine services will be celebrated on the state holiday, including by Prague Archbishop and Czech Catholic Primate Cardinal Dominik Duka.
rtj/dr/kva
