SPD launches petition against Sudeten German Congress in Czech Republic

The SPD party of the governing coalition has launched a petition against plans to hold the annual Sudeten German Congress in the Czech Republic. The event is scheduled to take place in late May in Brno. SPD plans a protest rally against the congress as well as a commemorative march for victims of World War II. The party says holding the event in Brno is insensitive, unethical and immoral toward victims of the Nazi regime. David Macek, co-founder of the Meeting Brno festival, who invited the Sudeten German Congress to hold its next meeting in Brno, counters that the organizers have received strong support from descendants of victims. He noted that the first event planned by the Sudeten German participants upon arrival will be a commemoration of Holocaust victims, followed by a reconciliation pilgrimage.