Amidst rising tensions surrounding immigration, rallies organized by nationalist factions see significant participation, even as official data contradict claims of an immigration crisis.
Nationwide Anti-Immigration Protests Erupt in Poland
Nationwide Anti-Immigration Protests Erupt in Poland
Thousands gather across Poland to voice opposition to immigration policies, backed by far-right groups.
Anti-immigration rallies erupted across Poland over the weekend, with thousands participating in demonstrations organized by the far-right political group Konfederacja and other nationalist organizations. While most gatherings drew several hundred attendees, the largest rally in Katowice saw an estimated turnout of around 3,000 people.
In speeches, leaders from Konfederacja and the opposition party Law and Justice emphasized their concerns over what they described as an impending crisis of illegal migration. They called for stricter measures, despite official statistics indicating that current migration levels are lower than in previous years.
At some protests, participants observed a minute's silence for a 24-year-old Polish woman who was murdered in Torun, with police arresting a suspect in connection with the case. Notably, rival demonstrations occurred in Warsaw, although they remained peaceful without reported incidents of violence.
Recent border checks imposed by Poland in response to Germany's asylum policies have further fueled the anti-immigration sentiment. Earlier this year, Poland also suspended asylum applications for migrants arriving through its border with Belarus. Despite the dramatic rhetoric from right-wing officials, official immigration statistics suggest that the situation may not be as severe as portrayed.
