Obamarama?

the protest posters littering prague right now

I was bopping along on my way to class this morning on a strangely sunny day, strolling towards the metro station when a small poster bearing Obama’s face caught my eye. With the international media buzz surrounding his impending visit to Prague, I peered a little closer to make out what exactly was being promoted.

The poster was advertising one of the few instances of anti-Obama sentiment I have come across, spreading the word about a demonstration that is to take place this Sunday. Slated to start at 3:00 in Wenceslas Square, it will be happening mere hours after Obama delivers a public speech at Hradčanské náměstí, which is just outside of the historic Prague Castle. According to CTK, the Czech news agency, a public rally will also take place in Palach Square when the Obamas arrive on Saturday.

The issue at the heart of these rallies is the controversial U.S. radar base, a never-ending headache of a story. Negotiations started during the Bush presidency to build a missile defense radar on Czech soil in order to protect the U.S. against long-range weapons from countries like Iran. With Obama flying over to attend an informal summit of EU heads of state and the U.S., opponents of the base will be seizing the opportunity to voice their disapproval.

English-language newspapers and magazines here have been obsessed with Obama’s visit. Speculation on whether he would make the trip began almost immediately after the inauguration. While the expatriate community and busloads of incoming Obama enthusiasts may be eagerly anticipating the visit, there are questions as to whether the Czechs will be moved enough to actually make it out to the speech. Besides members of the anti-radar movement, does anybody else really care?

We’ll see. Like many other students here, I plan on making it to the speech. I’ll see if I get to simply walk in or have to shove my way through the masses. And then there are the planned protests – will it be more than a handful of protestors? The only thing that seems certain is that Prague will be in lockdown mode this weekend. Oh, joy.