Mayors for Peace joins the Nonviolence Movement and 40 Czech Mayors to rally against US "Space Shield" plan

February 19, 2009

Yesterday, the 18th of February, three buses filled with 40 Czech Mayors from the League of Mayors against the Radar and activists from the Nonviolence Movement travelled from the Czech Republic to Brussels in protest against US plans to install a military radar base there. In Brussels, they met with with several MEPs, Belgian Senators and the Vice-president of the European Parliament Luisa Morgantini. They also attended a public rally against the radar held outside the European Parliament building. Mayors for Peace was present throughout the day, at the Senate, European Parliament and rally, in solidarity with their Czech colleagues and Mayors.

The mayors represent a delegation of a total of 130 Czech mayors who publicly oppose the radar plan as part of a US Missile Defence expansion which also involves the placement of 10 interceptor missile in Poland. These plans have been made without any prior discussions or reoslutions of the EU or even NATO. The trip of the mayors was supported by 13 of the total 14 heads of regional Czech governments as well as many mayors from other European countries. As polls show, approximately 70% of Czechs are also against the radar plan.

“Our Government has been ignoring the voice of the 70% of Czech citizens, dozens of Czech mayors and most recently the regional parliaments, who are all calling for the end of Czech participation in the US Missile Defense project,” said Jan Neoral, one of the leaders of the League of Mayors against the Radar. “We are now turning to MEPs to help stop this project that threatens stability and peace in Europe.”

Ingrid Pira, Mayor of Mortsel and Chairwoman of Mayors for Peace Belgium, spoke at the Senate meeting on behalf of the 2020 Vision Campaign. She emphasised the need for cooperation in teh future between the Mayors for Peace network and the organizers - the Nonviolence Movement, Europe for Peace, and the League of Mayors against the Radar.

The protest was supported by many people across Europe with events taking place simultaneously in Madrid, Copenhagen, Berlin, Rome, Palermo, Florence, Milan, Turin, Budapest and Buenos Aires.

The Nonviolence Movement was formed from the activity of a group of Czech humanists in December 2007. It aims to nonviolently oppose the US missile defense base planned to be installed in the Czech Republic. The movement gained wider recognition with the hunger strike of two of its founders Jan Tamas and Jan Bednar in May 2008, the following sequential hunger strike with more than 160 participants, as well as international conferences on the US Missile Defense and disarmament.

The League of Mayors against the Radar was founded in August 2007 and currently unites 52 mayors.