Prague protests, largest since the fall of communism, make international headlines

An estimated 120,000 demonstrators filled Prague’s Wenceslas Square last night in what was the Czech Republic’s largest protest since the Velvet Revolution and fall of communism in 1989.

Over the past six weeks, growing demonstrations have targeted ever-controversial Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and newly-appointed Minister of Justice Marie Benešová amidst a recent recommendation from Czech police that Babiš be charged in a decade-old fraud case.

Last week, fires were flamed after a leaked report from the European Commission suggested the Czech Republic pay back EU subsidies due to an alleged conflict of interest regarding Babiš and his businesses.

Yesterday’s protests have made international headlines and front pages in newspapers and outlets around the world.

Organizers A Million Moments for Democracy live-streamed video of the entire three-hour protest at Prague’s Wenceslas Square to YouTube:

Protesters have been filling up locations across the Czech Republic for the past six weeks, with 50,000 demonstrators attending a rally at Wenceslas Square on May 21.

Yesterday’s protest, however – following the leaked European Commission report – more than doubled that number, and future demonstrations in Prague are expected to grow even larger.

To accommodate for even more people, the organizers have sought an even larger venue that Prague’s Wenceslas Square for their next demonstration.