Thousands of people participated on Saturday in coordinated protests against immigration in around eighty cities across Poland. The demonstrations, organized by the nationalist opposition party Confederation, were met in several locations by counter-demonstrations and have sparked lively political debate.
The protests, held under the slogan “Stop Immigration”, gathered large crowds in cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław and Katowice, reports the British public broadcaster BBC. The largest demonstration took place in Katowice, where local media reported around 3,000 participants.
In Warsaw and several other locations, smaller counter-demonstrations were simultaneously held by left-wing groups, who conveyed messages of solidarity with migrants and asylum rights. Tensions between the groups were reported in some places, but according to police, no serious violent incidents broke out.
The organizers and several prominent politicians, including politicians from the conservative opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), claimed that Poland faces a “growing wave of illegal migration”.
These and several other speakers also demanded stricter border controls, military powers for border guards and the government’s resignation.
Translation: “The Polish people are showing great strength today. The turnout at protests across the country is a clear signal that citizens expect immediate changes in the authorities’ approach to handling the immigration crisis. And they are ready to take to the streets to demand it.”
Slogans against EU
Many demonstrators carried Polish flags, held up banners with messages like “Stop the migrant invasion” and chanted slogans against EU migration policy.
During some demonstrations, a moment of silence was held for a young Polish woman who was recently murdered in Toruń – a case where a foreign citizen is suspected and which has been used by right-wing politicians as an argument in the debate.
The demonstrations took place just a week after the Polish government reintroduced temporary border controls against Germany and Lithuania, citing concerns over refugee flows and allegations that Berlin is sending asylum seekers across the border – a claim that has been rejected by German authorities.
Poland’s migration debate has intensified in line with new EU decisions on common asylum policy and increased tensions around the country’s eastern borders.
Meanwhile, official figures show that the number of migrants arriving in Poland this year is lower compared to previous years, despite the issue occupying an increasingly large place in political debate.
The government has, in addition to new border controls, introduced stricter rules for asylum seekers and promised additional resources to border surveillance.
The issue of migration is expected to remain one of the most polarizing topics in Polish politics in the near future.
