On May 30th, a demonstration against the placement of a U.S. base in the Czech Republic took place at Malostranské náměstí in Prague, drawing approximately four hundred participants initially, with more joining later. However, the event quickly escalated into a tense and hostile atmosphere.

The demonstration, which began peacefully at 3:00 PM, encountered disruptions from a group of motorcyclists who intentionally revved their engines to annoy the attendees. The behavior led to a conflict between the participants and the motorcyclists, with some protesters standing on the road to block their path.

As tensions escalated, several individuals spat at the motorcyclists, and some even attempted to grab them while riding. In response, one of the motorcyclists drove into the demonstrators, prompting police intervention. This pattern repeated itself as the group circled the square multiple times within half an hour, causing further tension among the crowd.

The overall sentiment of the demonstration was strongly opposed to U.S. politics, as evident from banners displaying slogans like “Ami, go home.” The presence of representatives from the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) further fueled the animosity towards the U.S., with statements emphasizing that American soldiers would not pay taxes.

The atmosphere was intensified by the presence of controversial individuals, including Tomáš Čermák, who has been convicted of supporting terrorism and was seen holding a Russian flag. Despite calls from the organizers to display only Czech flags, Čermák openly expressed his defiance.

The protest attracted attention from various political figures, including Jiří Paroubek, Jan Kavan, and Member of Parliament Jaroslav Foldyna. Foldyna, in particular, voiced his disagreement with any agreement allowing foreign forces to be stationed on Czech territory. He criticized the government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala, expressing concerns about the country’s economic and social well-being.

The demonstration serves as an indication of the strong opposition among a segment of the Czech population regarding the placement of a U.S. base in the country, reflecting their deep-rooted concerns and discontent with the government’s decisions regarding foreign military presence.