Plzeň Protests Erupt Against Sudeten German Landsmannschaft Rally: “Pig with a Czech in Its Belly” and Far-Right Tensions
A weekend of heated protests in Plzeň, Czech Republic, saw demonstrators clash with far-right activists over a planned Sudeten German Landsmannschaft rally in Brno. The demonstrations, organized under the banner “Ne mlčení, ne zapomenutí” (“No silence, no forgetting”), featured sharp rhetoric—including a provocative chant comparing a controversial figure to a “pig with a Czech in its belly”—while authorities tightened security around the event. With tensions running high, experts warn of a broader pattern of historical revisionism and far-right mobilization in Central Europe.
The protests in Plzeň, a city known for its industrial heritage and anti-fascist traditions, came as Czech society grapples with the legacy of World War II and the resurgence of nationalist groups. Organizers of the Landsmannschaft rally, which focuses on Sudeten German heritage, have faced criticism for what opponents describe as glorification of Nazi-era figures and downplaying of wartime atrocities. Meanwhile, local activists and political parties have accused the event of stoking division in a country still reckoning with its 20th-century past.
At the center of the controversy is Vojtěch Pšenák, a polarizing YouTuber and self-described “provocateur” who has been a frequent target of the protesters. According to witnesses and reports from the scene, Pšenák—accompanied by bodyguards—attended the Plzeň demonstration, where he faced direct accusations of promoting far-right ideologies. One protester, speaking to local media, delivered a now-viral phrase: “You can lead out that pig, which when you poke it in the belly, a Czech comes out.” The remark, widely shared on social media, references Vít Rakušan, a former Czech interior minister and current member of the ANO movement, who has been a vocal critic of far-right rhetoric in Czech politics.
Who Are the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft and Why the Backlash?
The Sudeten German Landsmannschaft is an organization representing descendants of ethnic Germans who lived in the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia before World War II. After the war, many were expelled or fled and the Landsmannschaft has long advocated for their historical recognition and compensation. However, critics argue that the group’s modern activities—including commemorations of Nazi-era figures and events—cross into historical revisionism. The Czech government, which has classified the Sudetenland expulsions as a necessary post-war measure, has repeatedly condemned such gatherings as inflammatory.
The planned rally in Brno, scheduled for this week, has drawn particular ire. According to Czech Statistical Office data, Sudeten German communities in the Czech Republic now number fewer than 50,000, with most descendants living abroad. Yet the Landsmannschaft’s events continue to spark debates about memory politics, with some Czech officials framing them as attempts to rewrite history. “These rallies are not about heritage. they are about political provocation,” said Jan Hamáček, a historian at Charles University, in a recent interview with Radio Free Europe.
Vojtěch Pšenák: The Provocateur at the Heart of the Storm
Vojtěch Pšenák, 34, rose to prominence in 2020 through his YouTube channel, where he mixes conspiracy theories, far-right rhetoric, and anti-establishment diatribes. His appearances at far-right events have made him a lightning rod for counter-protesters. At the Plzeň demonstration, Pšenák was seen holding a sign reading “Free Press. We Protect What Matters,” a phrase that drew ironic laughter from some attendees given his history of spreading misinformation.
Pšenák’s presence in Plzeň was not coincidental. The city has long been a hub for anti-fascist activism, with its municipal government explicitly condemning far-right gatherings. His arrival was met with a mix of hostility and curiosity, with some protesters carrying effigies of historical figures linked to Nazi collaboration. One participant, Petra Novotná, a local teacher, told reporters: “We are not here to fight words. We are here to remind people what happened when these ideologies took root.”
Historical Context: Why the Sudetenland Remains a Sensitive Topic
The Sudetenland’s history is deeply tied to the rise of Nazi Germany. Before World War II, the region was home to a significant ethnic German population, which Adolf Hitler used as a pretext for annexing Czechoslovakia in 1938. After the war, the post-Nazi Czechoslovak government expelled an estimated 2.8 million ethnic Germans from the Sudetenland and other regions, a policy still debated today.
For many Czechs, the Landsmannschaft’s activities—such as commemorating the 1938 Munich Agreement or honoring figures associated with Nazi-era governance—are seen as an attempt to legitimize a dark chapter of European history. “The Sudetenland expulsions were a tragic but necessary consequence of war,” said Pavel Tigrid, a member of the Czech Parliament’s Committee on European Affairs, in a statement. “To romanticize that era is to insult the millions who suffered.”
Security and Political Fallout
In response to the protests, Plzeň authorities deployed over 100 police officers, including a mobile surveillance unit equipped with high-definition cameras. The city’s mayor, Martin Baxa, described the situation as “calm but tense,” adding that the police were prepared to intervene if tensions escalated. Meanwhile, the Czech Interior Ministry confirmed that it was monitoring the Brno rally closely, with additional federal officers deployed to the area.
Politically, the events have reignited debates about free speech versus historical responsibility. The Stačilo! (Enough!) movement, a coalition of anti-fascist groups, has called for a ban on the Landsmannschaft’s activities, arguing that they violate Czech laws against glorifying Nazism. Their leader, Vítek Prokop, was quoted at the Plzeň protest as saying: “We will not allow history to be rewritten by those who benefit from its erasure.”
What Happens Next?
The Sudeten German Landsmannschaft rally in Brno is scheduled to take place on May 22, 2026, with organizers expecting around 500 attendees. Counter-protests are expected, and Czech authorities have warned that any violence will be met with swift legal action. Meanwhile, the Plzeň demonstrations have sparked a broader conversation about how Czech society should address its Nazi past.
For updates on the rally and related developments, monitor official statements from:
Key Takeaways
- Protests in Plzeň targeted a Sudeten German Landsmannschaft rally in Brno, with demonstrators using provocative rhetoric to condemn far-right activism.
- Vojtěch Pšenák, a controversial YouTuber, was a focal point of the protests, accused of promoting nationalist and revisionist views.
- The Sudeten German Landsmannschaft represents descendants of ethnic Germans expelled after WWII but faces criticism for glorifying Nazi-era figures.
- Czech authorities have increased security for the Brno rally, with federal police deployed to monitor potential unrest.
- The events highlight ongoing debates about historical memory in Central Europe, particularly regarding the Sudetenland expulsions.
The Sudeten German Landsmannschaft rally in Brno is set to unfold amid heightened tensions. As Czech society navigates its complex past, the question remains: Can historical reconciliation coexist with free expression? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the discussion on our social media channels.