They target precious works of art, glue themselves to roads, block traffic, disrupt airport operations, and more. Participants in protest actions that have flooded not only European capitals in recent months no longer just exhibit legitimate civil disobedience; increasingly and probably, they engage in criminal offenses.
Democracy offers a wide range of tools through which we can express our views and voice dissatisfaction or criticism within the system. The primary tool, of course, is elections. For situations where it is necessary to address an urgent societal, economic, or political problem, there are dozens of other options, from petitions to legal actions, duly announced assemblies, demonstrations, media appearances, and contributions on social media to billboard campaigns. It seems that for some fellow citizens, the conviction is growing that it’s possible to go beyond the bounds of what democratic rules allow to promote their own views. Yes, I’m referring to climate activists’ protests that involve property destruction or the restriction of the rights of other citizens. The consequences of such protests are being dealt with in neighboring countries like Germany, Italy, Norway, and, not least, the Czech Republic, especially the capital, which has been plagued by traffic jams and road closures. This is somewhat worrisome, as it tests the boundaries of democracy and the state’s ability and will to defend it. In a democracy built on the rule of law, ordinary citizens should not be restricted by other citizens in their basic rights. Besides being illegal, there are more pragmatic reasons for that. As the saying goes, “The pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last.” If the state is unable to intervene against various blockades or other actions that make life difficult for its citizens, people may begin to take matters into their own hands. If a parent is taking their child to the school during morning rush hour, an ambulance is transporting a seriously ill patient to the hospital, or a courier is delivering an important shipment on time, their tolerance for climate activists glued to the roadside in the middle of Berlin or on the main road by the National Museum is significantly reduced. In recent days, several alarming videos have emerged showing that some individuals have begun to defend the smooth flow of traffic literally with their own hands. It is disconcerting to watch someone being dragged by their hair from the middle of the road to the shoulder. On the other hand, it is necessary to understand the frustration of ordinary people who have become random victims of reckless protest for goals that are often more a matter of faith than the result of scientifically supported analysis. The state should be able to clearly formulate its chosen approach to addressing such events, or the situation could spiral out of control.
Most of us remember the song “Bedna od whisky” (Whiskey Crate) by Miki Ryvola during the campfires. It would be nicer if Judge Lynch, sung about in it, remained in history, in the Wild West, and did not start appearing in Central Europe in the 21st century.
Ivana Tykač,
- 31. July 2023
