Ivanka Mariposa Čonková: The international protest against neo-Fascism

The Slovak region of Bánská Bystrica has undergone a shock. Neo-Fascist Marián Kotleba was elected Regional Governor in last month’s direct elections there.  

Several dozen people responded by holding a symbolic "uprising" (PovstaNIE) on Vítězné Square in Prague to say "NO!" to Fascism in Europe in general and in Slovakia in particular. Solidarity with this symbolic protest was displayed in other towns across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries. 

Organizers from the "Blokujeme!" ("Let’s Block the Neo-Nazis!") platform in the Czech Republic are slowly succeeding in creating a broader anti-Fascist and anti-racist platform. Civil society members are also in shock and human rights laws are being shaken to their foundations.

Kotleba is the former leader of a previously-banned political party (Slovenská pospolitost) who has been charged more than once in relation to disseminating racial hatred, denying the Holocaust, and celebrating the wartime Fascist Slovak state and its representatives. With only 25 % of eligible voters participating in the regional elections, Kotleba’s neo-Fascist rhetoric won him an unbelievable 71 397 votes. 

The "Blokujeme!" platform was created during the so-called "hot summer" of 2013, when a wave of anti-Romani, neo-Nazi marches overwhelmed the Czech Republic. Strong support for communities during that time of crisis motivated them to show their civic courage and publicly stand up against racism.  

"A Fascisizing Europe is a serious threat to democracy and freedom. Thanks to such an environment, people’s intolerance gains political power and begins to rule. I see a great danger in this, which is why I joined the ‘uprising’," a resident of Bánská Bystrica who participated in the symbolic protest said.  

The international protest took place simultaneously on the eve of Kotleba’s inaguration in Bánská Bystrica, Bánská Šťavnica, Košice, Trnava and Žilina in Slovakia; in Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava, Prague and Ústí nad Labem in the Czech Republic; in Derby in the UK; and in Vienna, Austria. In the Slovak capital Bratislava the symbolic "uprising" took place on the actual day Kotleba took office. 

Candles were lit in all of these towns as a symbol of freedom and solidarity. The symbolic "uprising" is important because it creates civic, public opposition to Fascism.   

This opposition needs much more attention from big media in order to counter-balance the racist atmosphere predominating throughout Europe. The media have failed to perform this task!

Fascism is totalitarian and (just like capitalism) consumes already-established democracies and freedoms. We are following its impacts and manifestations here in Bohemia and we will be presenting the results of that work at the end of January and start of February.

"We saw the greatest media success with the Slovak daily SME, which reported about us. I consider that to be proof of the serious situation in which we find ourselves," Miriam Kanioková, the coordinator of the "uprising" (PovstaNIE) protests, said. 

The Slovak media reported on the protest to a greater extent than the Czech media did. A reportage on Slovak TV Markíza described the protest to people who might otherwise never have learned of it.

In such moments the purpose of the media is much more far-reaching than to merely inform the public. The media can actually contribute to or otherwise support Fascism in the public sphere, and they must deal with that responsibility according to their own consciences.