So as you've read I was in the protests and riots of Prague. Here with the IMF/World Bank meetings came the gross display of simple people led astray by the demagoguery of Communism.
I LOVE THE SMELL OF TEAR GAS IN THE MORNING, SMELLS LIKE PROTEST
Balls to the IMF, this is where the protestors initally begain the day. Here were talks of what was to happen and it became a rally point for the week.
Here you can see it full, on the next day as they desperatly tried to settle down the storm that had been generated by the violence the night before.
As you can see, the police quikely mobalized and stationed roit troops at this point. Soon the church would become cut off from the rest of the city. Made an island surrounded by Praha's ben in black. As I was taking this picture they were just changing the guard, and so soon after I snapped the shutter the troops formed ranks and moved out.
The stand off at the Bridge. Here at the main throufare, and best way to get to the conference center the protesters and the police first really came into contact. Here were two tanks parked with an escort of at least 30-50 riot guards. Set in place to hold this bridge in the event that the protesters meant to do more than make noise. They were ordered to keep all traffic from crossing this point. Of course the numerous groups that attended the protest meeting were here. Namely, and in strength were the Italian, and Turkish Communist reps. These were a malicious force and would later be responsible for the violence that would erupt that night.
Here were youths from all back grounds. Punks, Anarchists, Fascists, Buddhist pacifists, Communists, Socialists, you name it. Everybody was at the bridge on the twenty seventh.
They even brought their own medical personal, as they expected injuries. I was about to interview these two ladies, when a call came forth in at least four languages for the medics to come into the crowd. At this point they were pressing into the barricade, trying to cross the bridge, and some people were getting hurt. Mostly as a result of dehydration, and fatigue, some people fell in the front lines of the massive throbbing group. As I was near to the front line at this point these two ladies dashed in to the mob to seek out the injured party and render what assistance they could. As this point I could also see that some people here had come equipped in their own version of riot gear. They had taken their old denim and riveted to it plates of plastic and tire rubber. Placing this armor on their shins, shoulders and forearms, and then donning an oversized jumpsuit, they were to make up the front lines of the protest push.
All of this time I was accompanied by two friends in this mob. Martin, and Allison, who had come down to the bridge just as I had to observe and try to objectively record the events for posterity. Martin and I had decided that the bridge push was dyeing out at this point and were trying to figure out where the people were going. We decided to leave and head back up to the church to see if they had returned to the rally point, but only to find a few people milling about. At this point we decided to hop a tram and head into town. We made one tram stop when the tram halted on the spot, and opened the doors. Out side were hundreds of protesters marching toward the center of town. Seeing this and deciding that they must be headed for the square, Martin and I dashed from the tram and took a few side streets to head them off. Arriving at the National Gallery in time to see them marching toward us and the NG.
They came and they took the steps of the NG. Here they set up banners and proclaimed that they had "taken the streets of Prague" as they entire police force must have been occupied on the bridge. At this point they decided to climb the statue of Marie Theresa and plant a communist flag in her arm and a board saying "down with the IMF". And it was at this point after speaking with a few of them Martin and I had had enough of this stupidity. Here were College kids, not workers. Proclaiming that "the workers should rebel" Here Martin reminded me that the communists filled the walls of the National Gallery with bullet holes shooting anti Communist protesters once. So disgusted at out generations attempt's we decided to get out of the heat and grab a beer. The one thing that Praha would truly go into riots over, should it disappear.
