Thousands of people are expected to gather in the center of Prague on Saturday, April 11, as anti-abortion activists and their opponents hold a series of competing demonstrations across the city.

Organizers of the annual March for Life have changed their approach this year, breaking the event into dozens of smaller processions. The move follows disruptions during last year’s march, when protesters blocked parts of the route.

This time, participants will depart in coordinated groups from Hradčany Square at 12:30 p.m., taking different paths through the city before converging in Wenceslas Square later in the afternoon.

According to organizers from the Movement for Life, the aim of the event is to show support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Attendance is estimated at around 5,000 people. The final gathering is scheduled between 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., in the lower part of Wenceslas Square near Na Můstku and Vodičkova Street.

At the same time, several counter-demonstrations are planned. A protest titled “Prague is Feminist,” focused on women’s rights, is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. at Republic Square, directly along some of the march routes. Another gathering in support of human rights will take place at Hradčany Square, though officials have assigned a specific area to avoid direct clashes between groups.

Further opposition is expected at Malostranské Square, where demonstrators plan to protest the March for Life before potentially joining the procession later to voice their disagreement.

Police are preparing for a large-scale operation. Hundreds of officers, including reinforcements from other regions, will be deployed throughout the city center. Specialized anti-conflict teams will also be present, tasked with reducing tensions and preventing escalation.

Authorities say the decision to split the march into multiple routes has complicated planning. Police spokeswoman Eva Kropáčová noted that such a format has not been seen before, requiring adjustments in how officers are positioned and coordinated in real time.

Residents and visitors should expect temporary traffic restrictions in several parts of central Prague throughout the day.

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