Prague/Novy Knin, Central Bohemia, Aug 15 (CTK) – Some 300 supporters of the Czech ultra-right Workers’ Party (DS), including people from Germany and France,
arrived in Novy Knin Saturday to attend the “Day of Freedom 2,” that the DS described as a political and cultural event. The supporters of the extremist party gathered at a local outdoor cinema where journalists have not been allowed. Outside the theatre journalists could hear music and speeches delivered by the participants some of whom were from Slovakia and Germany. The participants started gradually leaving the event after 16:30. According to central Bohemian police spokesman Jakub Vincalek, police had no reason to intervene. The organiser of the event, Jiri Barta, has announced it as a cultural festival whose proceeds would go to flood relief. However, although Barta says it is a charity event, DS chairman Tomas Vandas stressed it was exclusively the “Day of Freedom.” “This event has nothing to do with the Workers’ Party, its members are only visitors,” Barta, who is the head of the DS branch in Vlasim, told journalists outside the outdoor cinema area. He said the proceeds would be donated to flood victims.
The floods hit the Czech Republic in late June and claimed 14 lives. It was the third most tragic flooding in the country’s modern history. The situation was worse only in 1997 and 2002.