The Czech Republic has found its voice, and history is being written because of it.

Without getting into the messy details, the Czech are currently in the midst of protesting the recent actions of their prime minister, Adrej Babis, who is believed to have committed EU subsidy fraud. What is being called the largest Czech rally since the Communist era took place in Wenceslas Square yesterday, and it was covered by some of the biggest names in the journalism world. I got to wade my way into the thick of it, my first time documenting a protest.

The Czech are a quieter culture than America with respect to most things, and this demonstration was no exception. There were no arrests made and no objects being hurled, things you might typically associate with such a politically-charged affair. There were only impassioned speakers and faithful sign-holders, with lots of whistling, clapping, and chanting from all sides. The exceptionally nonviolent nature of this event created an atmosphere so distinct from anything large gathering I’d experienced back home. Peaceful demonstrations can still attract global attention.

To say the protest was family friendly would be an understatement; children flooded the area. It was almost reminiscent of a music festival, but without the evil looks from people as I pushed through the crowd to get some shots. Kids sat in strollers, stood on benches, and even peered above the crowd from the safety of their parents’ shoulders, like the boy above. The red letters on the sign he held translate to “we are not blind.” Indeed, it seemed like every set of eyes in Prague were open and unafraid that night, and it was moving.