When, if not now? Who, if not us?

Written by Jadon

This last Monday (November 17^th) was a national holiday here in the Czech Republic. One week after the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany in 1989, thousands of students in (then) Czechoslovakia marched downtown and peacefully protested the communist regime, only to be violently suppressed by the police. Hundreds were injured. This only ignited the support for the anti-communist protesters. The next few days were peppered with country-wide strikes, with both young and old protesters now showing their desire for change. Protesters showed their support by shaking keys, not only as auditory support, but also signifying the unlocking of doors, and telling the communist leadership to go home. On November 24, 1989, the entire ruling party resigned, and on December 29^th, just a few weeks later, Václav Havel became Czechoslovakia’s first democratically elected, ending 41 years of communist rule.

Today these events are referred to as the Velvet Revolution, and as a commemorative plaque here in the Czech Republic states “When—if not now? Who—if not us?” (English translation).

November 17^th is now celebrated as a national holiday (translated: Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day), honoring those students that took a stand for something better. As far as I can tell, however, it is usually just referred to as “Student Protest Day.” Classes are cancelled and student led protests ensue.

This year—the 25^th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution—was no different. Student protesters gathered to call out Miloš Zeman, the current Czech President, for his atrocious behavior, and demand his resignation. Thousands of students held “red cards” aloft symbolizing the ultimate football (soccer) penalty for misconduct for which a player is thrown out of the game. Cries of “Resign! Resign!” and “Shame! Shame!” rained down on the president as he and his peers from Germany, Hungry, Poland, and Slovakia unveiled a new plaque in honor of the 1989 events.

People with their red cards protesting in central Prague

 Many of my students took part in the protests this last Monday, and it is encouraging to see young people (though I’m not old) taking a stand for what they believe and getting invested in the future of their government and country. Some of my students where disheartened, however, believing that their protest fell on deaf and defiant ears. But as one student said to me, “Maybe sometime he might hear, but what matters is that we told him.” And I can’t help but think that they not only told their president, they told five presidents. Five presidents and the world.

Praises: 

- We have made it 3 months in our new home!

- We have another Teach Beyond member coming from Budapest to stay with us this weekend. 

- We are very grateful for Skype/Facebook/email...all the things that make it easy to stay connected & not feel so far away.

Prayer Requests:

- Positivity as we enter into a holiday season away from family

- During the next few weeks we're hoping to make the decision if we'll come home in July or stay in Prague for a second year. Prayers for direction & a peaceful decision.

- Prayers for the city we live in as the people use their voices and push for change.