A rally titled “Ivan, Go Home!” is scheduled to take place outside the Russian Embassy in Prague on August 20. The event, which will begin at 6 p.m. at Boris Němcova Square in Prague 6, is being organized jointly by several groups, including People in Need, Memory of the People, Million Moments for Democracy, and the European Congress of Ukrainians.
The rally marks the 58th anniversary of the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, which occurred on the night of August 20-21, 1968. The invasion, carried out by troops from five Warsaw Pact countries, crushed the Prague Spring reform movement and led to two decades of political repression and Soviet military presence in the country.
According to the organizers, the event aims to connect the historical experience of the Soviet occupation with Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Participants will gather to remember those killed or persecuted following the 1968 invasion and to honor those who lived under the subsequent communist regime. The organizers also plan to express support for Ukraine and draw attention to the ongoing conflict.
The rally is set to take place one day before the anniversary of the invasion, and it is intended to serve as a reminder of the importance of democracy and freedom. The event’s title, “Ivan, Go Home!”, is a reference to the desire for Russian forces to withdraw from Ukraine and for an end to the ongoing conflict.
Article source: praguemorning.cz | Image credit: Prague Morning
