Can we start screaming? Prague protest targets global normalization of violence

Dozens of people gathered in Prague on Friday evening to protest what they described as growing authoritarianism and the normalization of violence in Czech and global politics. The event, held on Jan Palach Square, also included a memorial for victims of war and political violence abroad.

Organizers Marta Martinova and Anna Neumannová said the event, called Už musíme začít křičet? (Can We Start Screaming?), aimed to draw attention to human rights violations worldwide and to pressure Czech authorities to defend European interests.

“We are standing over the precipice […] the values we believe in are being challenged fundamentally around the world,” Martinova told the crowd, emphasizing that human rights are being threatened both in Czechia and across the globe.

Participants held signs reading “Silence means consent” and “Government, please reason and decency.” Some spoke about recent violence in the United States, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, and criticized U.S. political leadership, while others highlighted domestic politics.

Banners also targeted Czech political parties Motorists and SPD, which organizers said openly sympathize with authoritarian regimes.

The rally included poetry readings and candlelight vigils for victims of conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the U.S. Organizers stressed that the Czech government should actively oppose attacks on national sovereignty and reject the normalization of hatred and human rights violations.

Organizers referenced international events to illustrate their concerns. In the U.S., protests erupted after federal agents killed two civilians in Minnesota last month. They also cited former U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated interest in acquiring Greenland as an example of actions threatening international law and post-war peace arrangements.

While the focus was on global trends, the protesters emphasized the Czech Republic’s role in defending democratic norms.

“We are convinced that the rise of certain political forces here mirrors troubling global patterns,” Neumannová said. The rally reflected a broader worry among Czech citizens that civil society and democratic principles are increasingly under threat both at home and abroad.

Organizers encouraged attendees and the public to continue expressing their concerns by lighting candles, sharing photos, or posting online under the hashtag #UzMusimeKricet. They said the demonstration aimed to make visible the majority of people who oppose violence and authoritarian measures, stressing that public expression of solidarity and dissent is essential to defending democratic values.