Czech Radio Ministers Booed on Anniversary of 1968 Invasion, Memorial Held on Kampa

On the evening of August 21, politicians gathered outside the Czech Radio building in Prague to mark the anniversary of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 — but speeches from members of the ruling coalition were met with whistling and shouts of "shame" from the crowd. According to eyewitnesses, those gathered were expressing anger over the government's plans to shift funding of public broadcasters — Czech Radio and Czech Television — into the state budget.

Speaking on behalf of the government were Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura (SPD) and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (ANO). Okamura spoke of the need to honor truth and democracy, while Schillerová, speaking for the cabinet, expressed respect for all victims of the occupation and admiration for those who found the courage to resist the Soviet invasion.

Protest in Support of Public Media

Dozens of people gathered outside the Czech Radio building, many holding placards in support of public broadcasting — the demonstration was directly tied to the government's intention to change how radio and television are funded through the state budget. During the cabinet members' speeches, the crowd responded with jeers and shouts of discontent.

President Petr Pavel, by contrast, voiced his support for public media in his address. "Czech Radio, as well as Czech Television, today play a key role in the Czech media landscape — not only in news, but also in investigative journalism, education, culture and sports," he said. Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil (ODS) also spoke about the need to support the media.

Among those present were several members of parliament, including Michal Zuna (TOP 09). "Russian imperial policy has repeatedly shown that it retreats only in the face of unity, resolve and a credible defense. I never again want the Czech Republic to experience the presence of 'liberators' from Moscow and the loss of freedom," he said, adding that Putin's regime is now seeking to weaken the EU and NATO from within through disinformation, sabotage and cyberattacks.

Memorial Ceremony on Kampa

The victims of the 1968–1969 occupation of Czechoslovakia were also honored at the 68/69 Memorial on Kampa Island. Prague 1 Mayor Terezie Radoměřská (TOP 09) said it is essential to remind the younger generation of these events and to strengthen a democratic state capable of defending itself against foreign aggression.

In her speech, Radoměřská noted that the memorial commemorates the victims of communist tyranny, which, she said, was reimposed with the arrival of Soviet troops in August 1968. "For me personally, this is a kind of dark conscience of our nation, because there were too many people who, out of fear for themselves, out of concern for their economic or other future, suppressed their own conscience and convictions and allowed the communist regime and totalitarianism to flourish and destroy this country," she said.

Source: prazskypatriot.cz