Hundreds of farmers attempted to disrupt traffic outside of the Hlavní nádraží railway station on 19 February in protest of excessive bureaucracy and the European green deal which aims to eliminate net emissions of greenhouse gasses by 2050. 

The demonstration was hijacked by a large number of right-wing demonstrators, some of whom are reported as ‘pro-Russian’ and many carried anti-European Union signs, according to Euractiv.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala posted on X saying the protest “does not have much in common with the fight for better conditions for farmers.

Photo by: Mae Bryant

By mid-afternoon the demonstrators had moved to the Malostranska metro and tram stations on their way toward Prague Castle. Many military personnel were also gathered outside of the metro station. 

The crowd of protesters was one of many in recent weeks which have marched near the Anglo-American University campus. Our university campus finds itself in fertile protest grounds as it is located between many important political offices and embassies.

As these demonstrations of various motivations marched past the AAU campus, students and staff witnessed current social and political Czech movements unfolding.