Poland: Thousands of protesters march on Independence Day

Thousands of protesters, holding Polish flags, gathered in central Warsaw today for the annual Independence Day march, organized by the far right with the support of the country’s nationalist government.

The large central square of the capital, in which patriotic songs were played through the loudspeakers, was filled with red and white smoke – the national colors – while from the beginning of the march, fireworks and other smoke were fired.

A strong police force for the protection of the march is developed in the center of Warsaw, with armored vehicles, dams and police officers armed to the teeth. Central arteries are closed to traffic.

During this demonstration, there had been frequent clashes with the forces of order in the past.

Liberal mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzakowski again tried to ban the rally this year, backed by justice rulings, but at the last minute the government declared it a “state event”.

In addition to the traditional “God, Honor and Homeland”, the slogan of the march will be that “independence is not for sale”, at a time when Poland and the European Union are at loggerheads over the controversial judicial reforms adopted by the government. Law and Justice Party (PiS) and tens of billions of euros at stake for this country under the European Recovery Funds.

Brussels still has not given the green light for their payment because of the bra de fer with Warsaw regarding respect for the rule of law.

Poland regained its independence on November 11, 1918, after 123 years of being divided between Tsarist Russia, Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

SOURCE: AMPE