December 12, 2024

On June 22, 2013, supporters of the radical Workers’ Party of Social Justice (DSSS) gathered at the Légií Square on the outskirts of the Roma quarter in Duchcov, Czech Republic. Shortly after the DSSS leader’s speech, the protesters clashed with police when they attempted to break through a police cordon to reach a group of Roma residents. At the same time, the civil association Konexie organized a public gathering called “Čikhatar het/Z bahna von” to support the Duchcov Roma. Police used water cannons and tear gas against the radical protesters. One journalist and three others, including two police officers, were injured. The police detained 22 people, including one march organizer. After several skirmishes, heavily armed police managed to calm and disperse the crowd. The DSSS radicals did not return to their planned march route and began to disperse on their own. The DSSS meeting was called in response to a May attack on a married couple by a group of local Roma.