"Paralelni Polis" (Parallel Polis) is a hub of (Crypto-)anarchists, artists and all sort of cool folk. This one building close to a centre of Prague (Czech Republic) contains a co-working space, hacker space, Institute of Cryptoanarchy and a Coffee house. All the transactions are performed using BitCoin, no fiat money are accepted. There's a BTC-ATM set-up right there in case you don't already have your BitCoin. And it's already functioning for 2 years now.
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The whole purpose of this "hub" is to offer an alternative to a current economical system in parallel with the current one and to 'propagate technology which makes us more independent from the state'. According to them, the state is forceful, immoral and they are fighting these authoritarian tendencies.
Here comes the law-makers
In Czech Republic, since Thursday, it is mandatory to electronically register all the transactions for many sole-traders, companies and freelancers. The first phase is aimed at restaurants, hotels and other service-serving institutions. This is supposed to help the government on "putting its fist" on the under-the-table deals in these establishments.
Or, one could argue, to simply be be more efficient with taxation and get more money out of the pockets of its citizens.
There was already a peaceful march in Prague with many entrepreneurs and sole-traders being displeased with this new law.
Because of the current legislation in Czech Republic (not counting this one), many restaurant owners claimed that in order to survive they had to play "dirty" to be able to pay its employees and not having to close down. And because of this, many restaurants have increased their prices to be able to cover the new emerging cost. Though many closed down on Thursday to avoid a hefty half a million (of CZK ) fee for not obliging with this new law.
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The BTC-only Coffee Shop Does Not Care
The Coffee Shop does not care though and it's boycotting the law. It will not implement it. Simply put, nothing will change in the way they operate their establishment. As a coordinator of this hub says,
"We have no other choice [but to boycott this law] as otherwise we would be going against what we stand for"
-- Martin Šíp, the coordinator of Parallel Polis
Some Czech news outlets already have titles like "A Government is gonna crack-down the Hackers from Parallel Polis" though the institute is not moved by this. In fact, some people involved are looking forward for the increase in (free) publicity of what they stand for, Bitcoin and the upcoming fight against the state.
I personally am looking forward to what this might bring as well. I'll be moving to Prague shortly so I'll keep you guys updated of what's going on and bring you more from and about this amazing project.
Sources
public opinions of people involved, some local knowledge as well as few Czech Newspapers
About the Author;
Hi, I am Joe and I love freedom.
Freedom of all sorts, social, financial, emotional, physical, freedom from your stuff or place.
My biggest passion is to show that it is possible to live life being free, work towards my freedom, and help others obtain their own versions of freedom.
I also love exploration and experimentation (of all senses).
My articles are about all of this (Freedom, exploration, experimentation)
as well as my own transparent and authentic experiences.