České Budějovice mayor calls on Romany leaders to help ease tensions

The mayor of České Budějovice has called on residents of a district of the city which has recently seen violent anti-Romany protests to contribute to a reduction in racial tension. Juraj Thoma told Czech Radio that his office had attempted to persuade Romany leaders to encourage quieter behaviour; he said they should understand it was unpleasant for people to go to work in the morning after having to call the police at midnight because of high noise levels. On Saturday dozens of protesters were detained as they tried to enter the Romany-dominated Máj housing estate. Tensions were sparked when a fight broke at a children’s playground there last month.