The Workers’ Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS) has called for a gathering and march on Saturday 12 March in the town of Nový Bydžov. This gathering will allegedly be “Against Rising Criminality”. After the experiences we have had with previous similar demonstrations in Litvínov-Janov and Přerov, we believe this actually is a hate gathering intended to exploit the “anti-Roma mood” of part of society in order for the DSSS to score political points for the undemocratic ideas it represents.

We believe in the democratic foundations of the Czech Republic, which include respect for dignity and human rights, the right to a fair tril, and the presumption of innocence as part of a fair trial. These values are now being jeopardized. We have the opportunity - and our principles oblige us - to stand up for these values and defend them. Indifference will gradually shift the boundaries of what is permissible past the point of no return.

We condemn all of the criminal activity that has occurred in Nový Bydžov. However, we reject the principle of collective guilt and we are opposed to these crimes being made to serve as an excuse for anti-Roma rhetoric.

We want to actively come out against this (neo)Nazi gathering and we are asking you for your support and involvement in a joint Initiative. We are turning to you as the representatives of civil society and the natural opponents of the ideas represented by the DSSS and similar organizations.

Our event will be strictly nonviolent and open to everyone who wants to actively express their disagreement with the marches by (neo)Nazis through the streets of our towns. We want to provide space for everyone who wants to nonviolently express their disagreement with the upcoming march by the Autonomous Nationalists and the DSSS. In Germany it is customary that whenever (neo)Nazis march, far greater numbers of respectable people also gather to protest and clearly show their disagreement.

The success of our event will depend on everyone who comes to Nový Bydžov on 12 March to express the conviction that the situation there will be resolved in accordance with the laws of this country and its constitutional principles. Our gathering will complement the previously announced gathering of students from Nový Bydžov and will make it possible for a whole other spectrum of anti-racist people to be involved.

Come join us on Saturday 12 March in Nový Bydžov. Our gathering starts at 11 AM in “U hřiště” street.

Join us in showing the world that a protest against (neo)Nazism and racism is the natural social stance and obligation of every respectable person.

Please redistribute this call to all your friends.

Miroslav Brož
Drahomír Radek Horváth
Zdeněk Ryšavý
Zdeněk Mitál
Markus Pape
Klára Kalibová
František Bikár
Patrik Banga
František Kostlán
Achab Haidler
Jarmila Balážová
Věra Roubalová Kostlánová
Radka Steklá
Tomáš Bystrý
Jitka Votavová
Lukáš Houdek
Cyril Koky
Zdeňka Kainarová
Milan Kováč
Jan Balog
Zdeněk Duna

Iniciativa Nový Bydžov není sám! (Nový Bydžov is not alone! Initiative), translated by Gwendolyn Albert

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