{{Short description|none}} {{Infobox civil conflict | title = 2013 Czech Anti-Roma protests | partof = | image = České_Budějovice_29-6-2013_28.JPG | caption = Police clash with protesters in České Budějovice | date = 29 May 2013 – December 2013 | place = Czech Republic | coordinates = | causes = Roma attack on a married Czech couple<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/cerna-kronika/romove-napadli-manzele-v-duchcove.A130522_164920_usti-zpravy_alh | title=Policie posílila hlídky v Duchcově, agresoři brutálně zbili manželský pár | date=22 May 2013 }}</ref><br />Dispute between Roma and Czech parents at a playground<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.denik.cz/z_domova/ceske-budejovice-zaziji-dalsi-protiromske-protesty-a-demonstrace-20130713.html | title=České Budějovice zažily další protiromskou demonstraci | newspaper=Deník.cz | date=13 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.radio.cz/ceske-budejovice-braces-more-violence-new-anti-roma-demo-called-8544477 | title=České Budějovice braces for more violence as new anti-Roma demo called | date=4 July 2013 }}</ref><br />Anti-Romani sentiment<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2013/12/30/inenglish/1388408298_024800.html|title=The specter of racism in Europe|first=Lucía Abellán, Miguel|last=Mora|date=December 30, 2013|website=EL PAÍS English}}</ref> | goals = | status = | result = Protests suppressed * Numerous Roma houses burned and damaged by protesters<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/protesty-radikalu.B1005336 | title=IDNES.cz – s námi víte víc }}</ref> * Increase in Anti-Romani sentiment among Czechs<ref name="boell">{{cite web | url=https://cz.boell.org/en/2014/03/24/anti-roma-sentiment-rise-czech-republic-democracy | title=Anti-Roma Sentiment on the Rise in the Czech Republic|publisher=Heinrich Böll Stiftung}}</ref> * Increase in the number of active Czech police officers | side1 = Protesters * {{flagicon|CZE}} Czech protesters<ref name=dw>{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/czech-neo-nazi-marches-target-roma/a-17055919 | title=Living in fear| website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> ** Workers' Party of Social Justice * Various Far-Right groups <ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/draft-czech-intelligence-report-anti-roma-campaign-of-2013-was-a-significant-ultra-right-action | title=Draft Czech intelligence report: Anti-Roma campaign of 2013 was a significant ultra-right action | date=7 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/file/report-on-extremism-in-the-territory-of-the-czech-republic-in-2013.aspx|title=REPORT ON EXTREMISM IN THE TERRITORY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN 2013}}</ref> | side2 = Counter protesters * {{flagicon|Romani}} Romani counter protesters * UNITED for Intercultural Action<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-uia-conference-supports-roma-in-ostrava|title=Czech Republic: UIA conference supports Roma in Ostrava|first=František|last=Bikár|date=October 30, 2013|website=Romea.cz - Everything about Roma in one place}}</ref> | side3 = {{flag|Czech Republic}} * 22px Czech police | leadfigures1 = | leadfigures2 = | leadfigures3 = | howmany1 = Thousands | howmany2 = Unknown | howmany3 = Unknown number of police officers<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/policie-se-pripravuje-na-protiromske-pochody-ktere-pripravuji-extremiste | title=Seznam protiromských pochodů, na které se policie připravuje. Organizují je neonacisté | date=21 August 2013 }}</ref> | casualties1 = *Hundreds wounded *Hundreds arrested<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23830623 | title=Czech anti-Roma protests end in arrests | work=BBC News | date=25 August 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://budejovice.rozhlas.cz/v-ceskych-budejovicich-se-chystaji-dalsi-protiromske-protesty-tentokrat-pry-7077662 | title=V Českých Budějovicích se chystají další protiromské protesty, tentokrát prý mírnější | date=23 August 2013 }}</ref> | casualties2 = Unknown wounded | casualties3 = Hundreds wounded | fatalities = | injuries = | arrests = | detentions = | charged = | fined = | casualties_label = | notes = | sidebox = }}

In 2013, numerous Anti-Romani protests took place across the Czech Republic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2014/eur/236516.htm|title=Czech Republic|website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref> This was after a Czech couple was attacked by 5 Romani on 18 May 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Janoušek |first=Artur |date=2013-05-28 |title=V Duchcově lidé po útoku na manžele svolávají protiromskou demonstraci |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/utok-romu-na-manzelsky-par-v-duchcove-demonstrace.A130528_1933985_usti-zpravy_alh|access-date=2024-10-18|work=iDNES.cz|language=cs}}</ref> The couple was hospitalized after the attack.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Horáček |first=Aleš |date=2013-05-22 |title=Policie posílila hlídky v Duchcově, agresoři brutálně zbili manželský pár |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/cerna-kronika/romove-napadli-manzele-v-duchcove.A130522_164920_usti-zpravy_alh|access-date=2024-10-18|work=iDNES.cz|language=cs}}</ref> The protests in some cities were described as a "street war".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/romove-cekaji-v-ceskych-budejovicich-na-radikaly.A130706_154536_ln_domov_hm | title=Romové čekají v Českých Budějovicích na radikály| date=6 July 2013|website=lidovky.cz}}</ref>

==Background== Prior to the protests, Amnesty International and the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) had raised concerns about the safety of Romani people in the Czech Republic. The ERRC had documented that between January 2008 and December 2012, at least 48 violent attacks against Roma had been documented.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-02 |title=Czech Republic: Protect Roma at risk of violence ahead of far-right demonstrations |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2013/08/czech-republic-anti-roma-demos/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Czech Republic: Protect Roma at risk of violence ahead of far-right demonstrations |url=https://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=4176 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=European Roma Rights Centre |language=HU}}</ref> A notable attack was the 2009 Vítkov arson attack which left 3 people injured including a 3-year-old girl who suffered life-threatening burns on 80% of her body.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11582589 | title=Czech neo-Nazis jailed for Roma attack | work=BBC News | date=20 October 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.radio.cz/vitkov-family-gives-evidence-trail-four-accused-arson-attack-8396316 | title=Vítkov family gives evidence at trail of four accused of arson attack | date=20 May 2010 }}</ref> Human rights groups had also accused Czech authorities of placing a disproportionately high number of Roma children into schools for the disabled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roma rappers|url=https://www.dw.com/en/roma-rap-against-czech-practical-schools/a-16613050 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=dw.com}}</ref> According to a 2010 opinion poll, 68% of Czechs have antipathy towards Romani.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/stem-dve-tretiny-cechu-nemaji-rady-romy-fc1-/domaci.asp?c=A070504_141136_domaci_mr|work=idnes.cz|date=4 May 2007|language=cs|title=STEM: Dvě třetiny Čechů nemají rády Romy|trans-title=STEM: Two-thirds of Czechs dislike Roma|access-date=3 June 2018}}</ref> The survey also found that 82% Czechs oppose any form of a "special care of Roma rights", 83% of Czechs consider Romani asocial, and 45% of Czechs would support the expulsion of Romani people from the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jiri|last=St'astny |url=http://zpravy.idnes.cz/cesi-propadaji-anticikanismu-kazdy-druhy-tu-romy-nechce-zjistil-pruzkum-1qx-/domaci.asp?c=A101209_161615_domaci_js |title=Češi propadají anticikánismu, každý druhý tu Romy nechce, zjistil průzkum|work=iDNES.cz|language=cs|date=9 December 2010 |access-date=3 June 2018}}</ref>

A 2011 poll, which followed a number of violent attacks by Romani perpetrators against ethnic Czech victims, reported that 44% of Czechs are afraid of Roma people.<ref>{{cite web|title=Romský bloger: Někteří Romové se chovají jako blázni|date=November 2011|url=http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/romsky-bloger-nekteri-romove-se-chovaji-jako-blazni_216270.html|language=cs|access-date=1 November 2011}}</ref> The poll also reported 90% of Czechs do not want Roma people as neighbours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.romea.cz/index.php?id=servis/z2005_0318&hl=cs&ie=UTF8&sl=cs&tl=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201133920/http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.romea.cz%2Findex.php%3Fid%3Dservis%2Fz2005_0318&hl=cs&ie=UTF8&sl=cs&tl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2012|title=Czech don't want Roma as neighbours|language=cs|access-date=15 April 2007}}</ref> The polls in 2011 came after a violent series of protests took place after an incident on 7 August 2011 when staff members of a gambling hall in Nový Bor were attacked by multiple Roma welding machetes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lidovky.cz/ceska-pozice/police-send-reinforcements-to-north-bohemia-in-wake-of-racial-attacks.A110824_123548_pozice_33518 | title=Police send reinforcements to North Bohemia in wake of racial attacks &#124; Téma &#124; Lidovky.cz | date=25 August 2011 }}</ref> The 2011 protests became more widespread and violent after an attack on 21 August 2011 where 20 Roma with machetes attacked 6 Czech men in Rumburk. A survivor of the attack, Michal Němeček, told Deutsche Welle "They shouted ‘you white bastards' at us. We definitely weren't the ones who provoked the attack, six against 20? We would have been crazy. They were just walking along the street and we were the first ones they ran into".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/racial-tensions-rise-in-czech-republic-after-roma-attacks-on-whites/a-15340203 | title=Racial tension| website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref>

Of the estimated 250,000 Roma in the Czech Republic in 2011, one third lived in ghettos and 90% were reported to be unemployed.<ref name="boell"/> The unemployment rate of the Czech Republic in 2013 was 6.95%.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/CZE/czech-republic/unemployment-rate | title=Czech Republic Unemployment Rate 1991-2024}}</ref>

==Protests== ===May=== On 29 May 2013, after 5 Romas were charged for an assault on a married couple in the town of Duchcov,<ref name=":0" /> 800 protesters marched onto the streets. Organizer of the march, Jindřich Svoboda, stated that the event should be "a peaceful event without violence".{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} However, a half an hour after Svoboda's speech, the protesters marched towards the southern part of the city which housed a large Roma population. At 7pm, they were confronted by police. Protesters armed with baseball bats and poles attempted to push through the police line while shouting: "Let us at them!" By 8pm, 2 protesters were arrested and the bats and poles were confiscated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jiřička |first=Jan |date=2013-05-29 |title=Demonstranti v Duchcově se vydali do romské čtvrti, policie zasáhla |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/demonstrace-v-duchcove.A130529_155058_usti-zpravy_jj|access-date=2024-10-18 |work=iDNES.cz}}</ref> 3 other people were convicted after making Facebook posts saying that they were going to "kill them all" or that "I'm going to sharpen my knives".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horák |first=Jan |date=2013-05-29 |title=Minulost svolavatelů demonstrace řešit nechci, říká starostka Duchcova |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/napadeni-v-duchcove.A130529_151509_usti-zpravy_alh|access-date=2024-10-18 |work=iDNES.cz}}</ref>

===June=== On 21 June, a dispute between Roma and Czech parents took place at a playground near the Máj housing estate. Up to 100 people joined the growing mob.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-21 |title=Protiromské demonstrace|url=https://www.aktualne.cz/wiki/domaci/protiromske-demonstrace/r~i:wiki:3880/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Aktuálně.cz|language=cs}}</ref> The dispute caused the protests to become more widespread.<ref name="ct24.ceskatelevize.cz">{{Cite web |last= |title=Protiromské protesty v Budějovicích nekončí, policie obvinila 16 lidí |url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/regiony/protiromske-protesty-v-budejovicich-nekonci-policie-obvinila-16-lidi-316649 |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=ČT24|publisher=Czech Television|language=cs}}</ref>

On 22 June, riot police clashed with right-wing protesters after the protesters had staged a demonstration. The demonstration took a violent turn when the protesters had tried to cross the police line separating them from Romanis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-23 |title=Police: 22 people detained in Duchcov |url=https://english.radio.cz/police-22-people-detained-duchcov-8319140 |access-date=2024-10-18 |publisher=Czech Radio}}</ref> By the end of the clashes, 3 protesters, 2 officers and one photographer had been wounded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryšavý |first=Zdeněk |date=2013-06-22 |title=Czech Republic: Injuries after DSSS provokes street warfare in Duchcov, police use tear gas and water cannon |url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-injuries-after-dsss-provokes-street-warfare-in-duchcov-police-use-tear-gas-and-water-cannon |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Romea.cz - Everything about Roma in one place |language=cs}}</ref> 22 protesters were also arrested.{{efn|Initially reported as 9}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-22 |title=Police clash with extremists |url=https://english.radio.cz/police-clash-extremists-8319200 |access-date=2024-10-18|publisher=Czech Radio}}</ref>

thumb|Anti-Roma protesters at Přemysl Otakar II Square in České Budějovice|200px On 29 June, hundreds of Neo-Nazis marched towards the Máj housing estate which housed 350 Romanis. The march was in response to the dispute on the 18th of June. As they marched, they were cheered on by local residents.<ref name="english.radio.cz">{{Cite web |date=2013-07-04 |title=České Budějovice braces for more violence as new anti-Roma demo called |url=https://english.radio.cz/ceske-budejovice-braces-more-violence-new-anti-roma-demo-called-8544477 |access-date=2024-10-18|publisher=Czech Radio}}</ref> They, protesters tried to break through the police barrier. After a violent clash that left dozens of people on both sides wounded, the police arrested 40 people.<ref name="english.radio.cz"/>

===July=== On 1 July, in the city of České Budějovice, hundreds of protesters marched to a neighborhood with a dense Roma population. After encountering police forces, the protesters chanted racist slogans and threw bottles and stones. After hours of clashes with the police who used smoke bombs, tear gas, and riot equipment, the protest was disbursed with 39 people being detained.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-01 |title=Anti-Roma riots in České Budějovice point to extremist trend |url=https://english.radio.cz/anti-roma-riots-ceske-budejovice-point-extremist-trend-8544552 |access-date=2024-10-18|publisher=Czech Radio}}</ref>

On 5 July, Czech police setup a checkpoint in Lišov due to the announcement of a planned protest on July 6.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/romove-cekaji-v-ceskych-budejovicich-na-radikaly.A130706_154536_ln_domov_hm/foto/HM4c58d8_p201307060185301.jpg | title=IDNES.cz – s námi víte víc }}</ref>

On 6 July, 300 protesters clashed with police officers in České Budějovice. Per police spokesman Jiří Matzner, 3 police officers were injured during the clashes. Czech Police detained 136 protesters.{{efn|Initially reported as 60<ref name="idnes.cz">{{Cite web |date=2013-07-07 |title=Policie v Budějovicích zadržela sto lidí, na Máji stále hlídkuje |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/pri-demonstraci-zadrzeno-100-lidi.A130707_105715_budejovice-zpravy_kol|access-date=2024-10-18 |work=iDNES.cz|language=cs}}</ref>}}<ref name="domaci.hn.cz">{{cite web | url=https://domaci.hn.cz/c1-60200070-ceske-budejovice-chystana-protiromska-demonstrace | title=Ultrapravicoví radikálové útočili na policisty v Českých Budějovicích. Přes 130 zadržených | date=7 July 2013 }}</ref> Police also confiscated baseball bats and poles from protesters.<ref name="idnes.cz"/> 3 protesters were later charged with assault against an officer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-14 |title=Protiromská demonstrace v Budějovicích. Třem účastníkům hrozí obvinění|url=https://www.lidovky.cz/video/protiromska-demonstrace-v-budejovicich-trem-ucastnikum-hrozi-obvineni.A130714_172554_ln-video_hm|access-date=2024-10-18 |website=lidovky.cz|language=cs}}</ref> The city itself was described to have been "turned into a fortress".<ref name="domaci.hn.cz"/>

On 10 July, a meeting was held by municipal leaders in a sports hall in České Budějovice in order to discuss the growing anti-Romani unrest in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-hundreds-attend-meeting-about-anti-roma-unrest-in-ceske-budejovice|title=Czech Republic: Hundreds attend meeting about anti-Roma unrest in České Budějovice|date=July 9, 2013|website=Romea.cz - Everything about Roma in one place}}</ref>

On 13 July, a crowd of 300 protesters in České Budějovice staged a demonstration. After clashes with Czech police, 3 protesters were charged with attacking police officers. Roughly 60 other protesters were also detained by police but were released shortly after.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/v-ceskych-budejovicich-bude-dnes-zrejme-klid-poradatele-zrusili-demonstraci.A130713_143212_ln_domov_tep | title=Demonstranti v Budějovicích se snažili prolomit policejní kordon|website=lidovky.cz| date=13 July 2013}}</ref> In Duchcov, 50 protesters marched in support of the protesters from České Budějovice.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/regiony/trem-lidem-ze-vcerejsi-protiromske-demonstrace-hrozi-obvineni-310930 | title=Třem lidem ze včerejší protiromské demonstrace hrozí obvinění|work=ČT24|publisher=Czech Television|language=cs}}</ref>

On 14 July, Czech police arrested a man in České Budějovice who attempted to light a Roma apartment building on Novohradská Street on fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kostlán |first=František |date=2013-07-17 |title=Czech Republic: Police downplaying arson against building with Romani residents in České Budějovice last weekend |url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-police-downplaying-arson-against-building-with-romani-residents-in-ceske-budejovice-last-weekend |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Romea.cz|language=cs}}</ref>

On 18 July, Czech police were called after 2 packages resembling bombs were found in a Roma ghetto in Machnín by local resident Milan Gábor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trdla |first=Martin |date=2013-07-18 |title=V romském ghettu našli divné balíčky. Bomba to nebyla, ale místní se bojí |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/cerna-kronika/romove-v-machnine-se-boji-extremistu.A130718_084123_liberec-zpravy_tm|access-date=2024-10-18 |work=iDNES.cz}}</ref> Police spokesperson in České Budějovice Jiří Matzner, released a report which stated that a young Czech woman had been assaulted by a Roma at a playground and that none of the suspects had been taken into custody. The incident further increased anger against the Romani people of the Czech Republic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-trial-finally-reveals-what-launched-anti-romani-demonstrations-in-2013|title=Czech trial finally reveals what launched anti-Romani demonstrations in 2013|first=Markus|last=Pape|date=December 4, 2016|website=Romea.cz - Everything about Roma in one place}}</ref>

On 25 July, the Democratic Workers’ Party (Czech: Demokratická strana pracujících) announced that the party was preparing to hold 13 protests in the cities of Bohumín, České Budějovice, Duchcov, Frýdek-Místek, Havířov, Krupka, Litvínov-Janov, Most-Chanov, Ostrava, Prague, Přerov, Ústí nad Labem, and Vítkov before the end of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-splinter-dsss-faction-plans-13-more-anti-romani-events-by-year-s-end|title=Czech Republic: Splinter DSSS faction plans 13 more anti-Romani events by year's end|first=František|last=Kostlán|date=July 24, 2013|website=Romea.cz - Everything about Roma in one place}}</ref>

On 27 July, 30 members of the Czech Lions (Čeští lvi) gathered in Prague to listen to a speech by Pavel Sládek Matějný. Counter-protesters interrupted Pavel's speech by chanting: "We don’t want neo-Nazis here!" At 6pm local time, everybody went home without the police having to interfere.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-about-30-neo-nazis-gather-in-prague-antifascists-counter-protest|title=Czech Republic: About 30 neo-Nazis gather in Prague, antifascists counter-protest|first=Zdeněk|last=Ryšavý|date=July 26, 2013|website=Romea.cz - Everything about Roma in one place}}</ref>

===August=== On 3 August, in the town of Vítkov, 300 protesters{{efn|of which, less than 150 were far-right per Czech authorities}} marched through the city's streets, shouting slogans such as "Bohemia to Bohemia" and "Our streets, our cities". The protesters then attempted to get to the Roma assembly. However, Police officers pushed them out of Husova Street in order to prevent a confrontation with the Roma protesters there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Radikálové se k Romům ve Vítkově nedostali, zadrženi 3 lidé |url=https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/zpravodajstvi-ostrava/zpravy/236920-radikalove-se-k-romum-ve-vitkove-nedostali-zadrzeni-3-lide/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |publisher=Czech Television|language=cs}}</ref>

On 14 August, the Roma Democratic Party was founded in response to the protests. It aimed to better represent the Roma of the Czech Republic in the Czech Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-09-03 |title=Do voleb chce i nová romská strana, na rozjezd má dva miliony z Británie |url=https://www.denik.cz/z_domova/do-voleb-chce-i-nova-romska-strana-na-rozjezd-ma-dva-miliony-z-britanie-20130903.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=Deník.cz |language=cs}}</ref>

On 23 August, Czech police announced that they had arrested over 230 protesters over the past three weekends.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-23 |title=V Českých Budějovicích se chystají další protiromské protesty, tentokrát prý mírnější |url=https://budejovice.rozhlas.cz/v-ceskych-budejovicich-se-chystaji-dalsi-protiromske-protesty-tentokrat-pry-7077662 |access-date=2024-10-18 |publisher=Czech Radio|language=cs}}</ref>

On 24 August, seven protests took place simultaneously in the cities of Ostrava, Duchcov, České Budějovice, Jičín, Plzeň, Brno, Děčín and Varnsdorf.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-08-24 |title=Protiromský pochod skončil. V ulicích byly stovky lidí. A to i Duchcováků |url=https://www.denik.cz/ustecky-kraj/v-ulicich-duchcova-budou-jak-romove-tak-i-dsss-20130824.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=Deník.cz |language=cs}}</ref> In Ostrava, 1,500 protesters attempted to break into houses that were inhabited by Roma. After a clash with police, the crowd was broken up by tear gas. Over 60 people were detained while many protesters and police officers were wounded.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-24 |title=Radikálové protestovali v několika městech, k Romům nepronikli|url=https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/mesta-se-chystaji-na-pochody-radikalu.A130824_125224_ln_domov_tep|access-date=2024-10-18 |work=iDNES.cz}}</ref> The protests were condemned by Czech president Miloš Zeman.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/roma-political-life-czech-republic-dependency-and-political-development | title=Roma in Political Life: Czech Republic—Dependency and Political Development}}</ref> Czech officials said that some cities resembled a warzone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcprayer.org/en/prayer-news/item/6171-czech-republic-detains-100-in-massive-anti-roma-protests.html|title=Czech Republic detains 100 in massive anti-Roma protests|website=www.ipcprayer.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bosnewslife.com/30084-news-watch-czech-republic-detains-100-in-massive-anti-roma-protests|title=NEWS WATCH: Czech Republic Detains 100 In Massive Anti-Roma Protests – BosNewsLife – Christian News Agency|website=www.bosnewslife.com}}</ref>

On 25 August, a total of 2,000 protesters participated in multiple simultaneous protests in the cities and towns of Ostrava, Duchcov, České Budějovice, Jičín, Plzeň and Brno and clashed with Roma counter protesters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-hundreds-of-rampaging-neo-nazis-attempt-pogrom-against-romani-people-in-ostrava | title=Czech Republic: Hundreds of rampaging neo-Nazis attempt pogrom against Romani people in Ostrava | date=24 August 2013 }}</ref> In Ostrava, after clashes with police officers, over 60 people were arrested while another 25 people were arrested in Plzeň.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-25 |title=Radikálové protestovali, desítky jich skončily s pouty|url=https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/radikalove-vyrazi-v-sobotu-do-ulic-nahlaseno-je-5-akci/r~6272a7be0c0111e39f32002590604f2e/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Aktuálně.cz|language=cs}}</ref>

===September=== On 1 September, 300 protesters{{efn|50 Neo-Nazis and 250 local residents per Deutsche Welle}} marched over a chalk drawing of the Romani flag in Duchcov while chanting "This is our home" and "Bohemia for Czechs".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/street-party-vs-hate-czech-roma-under-threat/a-17058943 | title=Street party against hate|publisher=Deutsche Welle}}</ref>

On 5 September, the Roma Democratic Party, announced that it would be running in the 2013 Czech parliamentary election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-05 |title=As racial tensions simmer, new Romany party to contest elections |url=https://english.radio.cz/racial-tensions-simmer-new-romany-party-contest-elections-8543165 |access-date=2024-10-18|publisher=Czech Radio}}</ref>

On 6 September, Roma activists requested more protection against attacks from extremists protesters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ostrava.rozhlas.cz/ostravsti-romove-zadaji-vetsi-ochranu-vymenou-za-prevenci-kriminality-ve-7024646 | title=Ostravští Romové žádají větší ochranu výměnou za prevenci kriminality ve vlastních řadách | date=6 September 2013}}</ref>

On 26 September, an Anti-Roma rally took place in České Budějovice along Lannová třída and Na Sadech street.<ref name="ct24.ceskatelevize.cz"/>

On 27 September, a crowd of 1,000 protesters attempted to break into a dormitory in Ostrava where many Roma lived. Police officers clashed with protesters who threw rocks, bottles, and shot fireworks at police officers, causing casualties. After an hour, the police detained 21 people and charged one with assault. Police spokeswoman Gabriela Holčáková said that the police only intervened after the crowd did not respond to police calls to disburse.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-27 |title=Vřava v Ostravě. Dav vyrazil za Romy, policie použila slzný plyn |url=https://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/vrava-v-ostrave-dav-vyrazil-za-romy-policie-pouzila-slzny-plyn_284073.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=tyden.cz|language=cs}}</ref>

On 28 September (celebrated as Czech Statehood Day), three simultaneous protests took place in the cities and towns of Krupka, Prague and Vítkov. In Krupka, around 350 Romani counter-protesters clashed with Neo-Nazis who were distributing flyers for the Workers' Party of Social Justice.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-republic-three-simultaneous-neo-nazi-demonstrations-in-krupka-prague-and-vitkov | title=Czech Republic: Three simultaneous neo-Nazi demonstrations in Krupka, Prague and Vítkov | date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

===October=== On 6 October, hundreds of Roma staged a protest in Prague, carrying banners that read "We are Roma" and "Stop pogroms against the Roma".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2013/10/roma-pride-2013-defies-right-wing-hatred-in-the-czech-republic/ | title=Roma Pride 2013 defies right-wing hatred in the Czech Republic | date=13 October 2013}}</ref>

On 28 October, between 200 and 300 protesters marched towards two hostels in Ostrava at 2pm CEST. 500 Romani showed up to counterprotest. Czech police successfully kept the two groups from clashing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/v-ostrave-opet-provokuji-neonaciste-a-rasiste | title=Ostrava on-line: Po pokusu o pogrom na ostravské Romy pochodovalo městem asi 500 Romů, neonacisté nakonec utekli | date=28 October 2013 }}</ref> At the Old Town Square in Prague, 50 members from UNITED for Intercultural Action marched in support of the Roma counter protesters. After chanting slogans, they hosted a banner in front of the Old Town Hall which read: "OSTRAVA, STOP NAZI MARCH".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/v-ostrave-provokovali-neonaciste-do-ulic-vyslo-na-protest-500-romu | title=V Ostravě provokovali neonacisté, do ulic vyšlo na protest 500 Romů | date=29 October 2013 }}</ref>

===November=== On 12 November, Czech police charged a 16-year-old girl with assault after she had thrown bricks and stones at police officers during an Anti-Roma protest in Ostrava.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/archiv/policiste-obvinili-za-protiromske-protesty-v-ostrave-25-lidi-pribyla-take-studentka-319790 | title=Policisté obvinili za protiromské protesty v Ostravě 25 lidí. Přibyla také studentka }}</ref>

On 28 November, Czech police reported that the protests near the Máj housing estate had "calmed down" for the first time in 5 months.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.idnes.cz/ceske-budejovice/zpravy/nepokoje-na-sidlisti-maj.A131128_085243_budejovice-zpravy_khr | title=Sídliště Máj pět měsíců po bitkách: Je klid, řešení hledají místní | date=28 November 2013 }}</ref>

==Aftermath== ===Reactions by Czech officials=== The Mayor of Duchcov, Jitka Bártová said in an interview that the events on May 29 "cannot be overlooked" and that the events could "trigger a war of blacks against whites".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/demonstrace-v-duchcove.A130529_155058_usti-zpravy_jj | title=Demonstranti v Duchcově se vydali do romské čtvrti, policie zasáhla | date=29 May 2013 }}</ref> The Mayor of České Budějovice, Juraj Thoma said that the protests "could not be prevented".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://domaci.hn.cz/c1-60162100-protiromska-demonstrace-v-budejovicich-se-vymkla-kontrole | title=Protiromská demonstrace v Českých Budějovicích se vymkla kontrole. Policie použila slzný plyn | date=30 June 2013 }}</ref>

David Tišer, a member of the Czech government's council on the Roma minority told Deutsche Welle in an interview: "These are not just marches by extremists. Regular citizens are joining in as well. And this is what is dangerous. This is why the foreign media are interested. This is why you are talking to me today."<ref name=dw/>

Czech senator Pavel Lebeda, said that the protests were a "sad that expressions of citizens' dissatisfaction with the violent and property crime of gypsies, their laziness, abuse of the social system and inability to live together are immediately classified as extremism".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.parlamentnilisty.cz/politika/poslanecka-snemovna/Cikani-u-nas-parazituji-a-masakruji-lidi-I-to-politici-vzkazali-komisari-z-Evropy-279126 | title=Cikáni u nás parazitují a masakrují lidi. I to politici vzkázali komisaři z Evropy}}</ref>

On 28 June 2013, Senator Tomio Okamura of the Dawn – National Coalition stated in a text message: "The gypsies should strive for their own state. Let's help them do it. It's not the fault of the neo-Nazis, the Czechs or the Turks that gypsies are perceived pejoratively today; rather, it is the gypsies' disrepute".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boell.de/en/2013/10/31/political-earthquake-czech-republic-rejection-established-parties | title=Political earthquake in the Czech Republic: Rejection of established parties|publisher=Heinrich Böll Stiftung}}</ref> He then suggested that the Czech government should deport the Romani people to India.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/en/czech-republic/czech-senator-okamura-let-s-democratically-send-the-roma-to-india | title=Czech Senator Okamura: Let's "democratically" send the Roma to India | date=July 2013}}</ref>

On 2 August 2013, the Minister of the Interior Martin Pecina, announced that the Czech Police would increase their number of officers from 1,000 to 40,000 by 2014 in response to the protests.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/krimi/chrante-romy-vyzyva-amnesty-international-ceskou-vladu_278361.html | title=Chraňte Romy! Vyzývá Amnesty International českou vládu | date=2 August 2013}}</ref>

===Reactions by Czech organizations=== Zdeněk Ryšavý of Romea.cz dubbed the protests as "The largest hunt for Roma in the modern history of the Czech Republic".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/chysta-se-nejvetsi-hon-na-romy-v-novodobe-historii-ceske-republiky-politici-k-tomu-zaryte-mlci | title=Chystá se největší hon na Romy v novodobé historii České republiky. Politici k tomu zarytě mlčí | date=23 August 2013}}</ref>

On 24 August 2013, IUSTITIA set up a hotline for Roma who had been attacked during the protests.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/in-iustitia-spustila-v-souvistlosti-s-protiromskym-pochody-linku-na-pomoc-obetem-nasili-z-nenavisti | title=In IUSTITIA spustila v souvistlosti s protiromským pochody linku na pomoc obětem násilí z nenávisti | date=23 August 2013}}</ref>

On 10 September 2013, the Czech Helsinki Committee wrote a report which said that the position of the Roma in the Czech Republic is "rapidly deteriorating" and that negative anti-Roma sentiments are growing and that Roma citizens are being labeled as the culprits of various problems in Czech society which is resulting in more and more people turning their anger against the Roma population. The report also noted that anti-Roma demonstrations and marches participates include not only members of the Czech far-right, but also more and more people from the general population of the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/zprava-o-stavu-lidskych-prav-ceskeho-helsinskeho-vyboru.A130910_125012_domaci_cen | title=Protiromské nálady sílí, tvrdí už i helsinský výbor. Kritizuje politiky | date=10 September 2013}}</ref>

Per the Security Information Service, anti-Roma sentiments among ordinary citizens of the Czech Republic could potentially represent a greater danger than extremist groups.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/cerna-kronika/zprava-bis-o-extremismu.A130730_152734_krimi_klm | title=BIS varuje před "anticikanismem", protestovat chodí nejen extremisté | date=30 July 2013 }}</ref>

===International reactions=== On 18 July 2013, Janez Lenarčič, the director of Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, called on Czech authorities address segregation and social exclusion to help prevent anti-Roma incidents. He then added: "The measures taken by the Czech police to protect all citizens show that authorities have the resolve to prevent further escalation of racist violence and manifestations of hatred. I am, however, very concerned about the significant support far-right activists have enjoyed from ordinary citizens. This is an indication that the problems facing the Roma minority have yet to be addressed at their core".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.osce.org/odihr/103694|title=OSCE human rights chief calls on Czech authorities to address segregation and social exclusion to help prevent anti-Roma incidents|website=www.osce.org}}</ref>

On 25 July 2013, the United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Chargé d'Affaires Gary Robbins, said in a statement that United States government was concerned about "several recent reports of incidents that highlight the need for decisive, broad-based action by participating States to address both the causes and manifestations of anti-Roma sentiment".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://osce.usmission.gov/jul_25_13_roma/ | title=Statement on Roma | date=25 July 2013 }}</ref> He also said that the USMOSCO joins Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights director Janez Lenarčič's condemnation of Czech law enforcement's failure to prevent further escalations of violence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement on Roma |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/6/104001.pdf |publisher=United States Mission to the OSCE |access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref>

On 4 August 2013, German newspaper Die Welt wrote that the Anti-Roma protests had become a sort of "Czech national sport" due to the fact that both political radicals and ordinary citizens had been participating in them.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article118680847/In-Tschechien-eskaliert-der-Hass-gegen-die-Roma.html | title=Rechtsradikalismus: In Tschechien eskaliert der Hass gegen die Roma|language=de|website=welt.de}}</ref>

CBC News described the situation in the Czech Republic as the "Wild East".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Don |date=October 24, 2013 |title=Rampant corruption, massive protests. Is Eastern Europe coming undone? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rampant-corruption-massive-protests-is-eastern-europe-coming-undone-1.2187464 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=CBC}}</ref>

On 7 October 2013, the Romedia Foundation, a Romani non-governmental organization based in Budapest, that the protests in the last two months "have been solely addressed towards the exclusion and eradication of Roma people" and that the protests and rallies had a "considerable, visible increase in followers of the neo-Nazi and extremist mentalities" since the 2011 protests.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalvoices.org/2013/10/07/czech-republic-anti-roma-riots-and-attacks-on-the-rise/|title=Czech Republic: Anti-Roma Riots and Attacks on the Rise|date=October 7, 2013}}</ref>

According to Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks, 22 Roma had been physically attacked in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/postavime-se-diskriminaci-romu-slibil-sobotka-rade-evropy/r~ca92bef2ae8a11e386aa002590604f2e/ | title=Postavíme se diskriminaci Romů, slíbil Sobotka Radě Evropy| date=18 March 2014}}</ref>

On 4 April 2014, European Network Against Racism reported that the "frequency and size" of anti-Roma marches and protests in the Czech Republic surged in 2013 compared to previous years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enar-eu.org/violence-against-roma-on-the-rise-says-amnesty/|title=Violence against Roma on the rise, says Amnesty|date=April 8, 2014}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:2013 in the Czech Republic Category:2013 protests Category:Protests in the Czech Republic Category:Anti-Romani sentiment in the Czech Republic Category:Racially motivated violence in Europe Category:Romani-related controversies