BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Tens of thousands of people in Slovakia on Monday protested against populist Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian stance, taking advantage of the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution that ended decades of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia.

Rallies and marches took place in dozens of communities. The protesters in Freedom Square in the rainy capital, Bratislava, chanted, “We have enough of Fico,” “We want a change” and “Resign.”

One banner in the crowd displayed the words by late Czechoslovak and Czech President Václav Havel that became the motto of the Velvet Revolution: “Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred.”

Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia, and thousands have repeatedly rallied to protest his policies. M

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