Major demonstration on Saturday on Prague’s Letná: Organisers expect several hundred thousand participants. Extensive preparations are therefore underway for safety and transport.
For the planned demonstration on Saturday on Prague’s Letná, the organisers of the initiative “Milion chvilek pro demokracii” expect between 200,000 and 400,000 people to attend – depending on the weather. With the event, they aim to draw attention to risks to democracy, an increasing concentration of power, as well as political developments under the government of Andrej Babiš.
The rally, held under the motto “We will not let our future be stolen”, is scheduled to take place between 15:00 and 17:00. Initiative leader Mikuláš Minář emphasised in advance that it is not about records, but about the engagement of each individual.
A comparable protest at the same location in 2019 attracted around 300,000 people, according to the organisers. This time, the security concept is to be implemented in a similar way: the area will be structured into corridors, in which several hundred volunteers as well as police, emergency medical services and fire brigade personnel will be deployed. Dedicated areas are planned, among other things, for families with children as well as for people with reduced mobility.
Foto: Milion chvilek pro demokracii | Facebook
Public transport to be significantly reinforced
In view of the expected number of participants, public transport is also preparing for increased demand. Bottlenecks are likely, particularly during arrivals and departures, around the metro stations Hradčanská, Vltavská and Nádraží Holešovice. Restrictions and short-term closures are also possible on the roads.
To ease the situation, an additional tram line 36 will operate on Saturday between approximately 13:00 and 19:00 at five-minute intervals. This will connect Letná with all metro lines. In addition, Prague’s metro services will be reinforced on all lines from around 12:30 to 20:00.
