Czech Activists to Demand Removal of Ukrainian Flag from National Museum

The Czech nationalist movement “Czech Republic First” (Česká republika na 1. místě) has announced a rally in Prague to demand the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the National Museum.

The group claims the flag, displayed since early 2022 as a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine, does not belong on a Czech national monument.

The demonstration is scheduled for Sunday, November 17, at 1:00 PM on Wenceslas Square, coinciding with the Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy, a significant Czech national holiday.

“Is the National Museum on Wenceslas Square Czech or Ukrainian?” asked Ladislav Vrabel, the movement’s leader, in a public statement.

“If we don’t act now, our national identity is at risk. The National Museum is a Czech heritage site, and the only flag worthy of it is the Czech flag. On November 17, I’ll be there to demand the immediate removal of the Ukrainian flag and pursue legal action against the museum’s management and the Ministry of Culture.”

Vrabel, who has led several high-profile rallies in Prague, is known for his anti-government and pro-Russian views. In late 2022, he organized multiple protests that drew thousands of participants and effectively shut down Wenceslas Square, sending shockwaves through the Czech government and society.

In March 2023, an anti-government rally organized by the Právo Respekt Odbornost party escalated when demonstrators attempted to remove the Ukrainian flag. Police successfully contained the situation and later charged several protestors with criminal offenses.

The National Museum traditionally holds an Open Day on November 17. However, due to the expected protest and associated security concerns, the museum’s management has rescheduled this event to November 24.

The Ukrainian flag was first displayed on the museum’s facade in the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a symbol of support and solidarity.

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