Anti-immigrant protests have swept through numerous towns and cities in Poland, with varying attendance emphasized by police estimates. The largest gathering, drawing approximately 3,000 participants, occurred in Katowice, indicating heightened public sentiment surrounding immigration issues. The demonstrations were organized by the far-right political entity, Konfederacja, alongside other nationalist groups.
Politicians from both Konfederacja and the opposition Law and Justice party have raised alarms about a significant influx of illegal migrants, despite available data suggesting a decrease in migration figures this year compared to previous years.
Krzysztof Bosak, co-chairman of Konfederacja, voiced these concerns at a rally in Bialystok, asserting that Poland's security would erode without measures against illegal immigration and deportations. Several protests included a minute's silence to honor a Polish woman recently murdered in Torun, which some groups linked to immigration issues.
In Warsaw, rival gatherings unfolded just blocks apart, yet authorities reported no incidents of violence, underscoring the charged atmosphere surrounding the protests. This comes in the wake of Poland installing stricter border controls in response to asylum policies from neighboring Germany and Lithuania. Additionally, Poland recently suspended asylum applications for certain migrants crossing from Belarus, further complicating the immigration landscape.
As political rhetoric surrounding immigration intensifies, observers will be watching how these protests may influence future policies and public opinion in Poland.
