Supporters vow to keep open Prague social centre

Dozens of activists and members of the public gathered at an autonomous social centre in the Prague district of Žižkov on Wednesday to counter moves by public authorities to repossess it. The centre was allowed by a state authority to make use of an abandoned building for the last year. Social and cultural events and help to immigrants have been on offer there. The state authority now though wants to take the building back with the local council arguing that its new use conflicts with planning rules and that locals have complained of noise and other disturbance. A march in support of the so-called Klinika centre was supported by 2,000 people at the end of February. The centre was firebombed by masked attackers at the start of last month on the same day that anti-immigrant rallies were being held in Prague.

Author: Chris Johnstone