Protesters in 60,000-person Polish rally call to 'remove Jews from power'
About 60,000 nationalists and far-right extremists assemble in Warsaw on Saturday for Independence Day march that has become one of the largest gatherings in Europe and perhaps beyond for increasingly emboldened white supremacists; A smaller counter-protest by an anti-fascist movement also took place, drawing about 2,000 participants.
Tens of thousands of nationalists marched in a demonstration organized by far-right groups in Warsaw Saturday, as white supremacist Poles celebrating Independence Day chanted xenophobic slogans.
The far-right march was one of many events marking Poland’s rebirth as a nation in 1918 after being wiped off the map for 123 years. Earlier in the day, President Andrzej Duda presided over state ceremonies also attended by European Union president Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister.
But the march has become the largest Independence Day event in recent years, overshadowing official state observances and other patriotic events. Some participants expressed sympathy for xenophobic or white supremacist ideas, with one banner reading, “White Europe of brotherly nations.”
Participants marched under the slogan “We Want God,” words from an old Polish religious song that US President Donald Trump quoted during a visit to Warsaw earlier this year. Speakers spoke of standing against liberals and defending Christian values.”
Police estimated that 60,000 people took part. Many were young men, some with their faces covered or with beer bottles in hand, but families and older Poles also participated.
The march has become one of the largest such demonstration in Europe, and on Saturday it drew far-right leaders from elsewhere in Europe, including Tommy Robinson from Britain and Roberto Fiore from Italy.
State broadcaster TVP, which reflects the conservative government’s line, called it a “great march of patriots,” and in its broadcasts described the event as one that drew mostly regular Poles expressing their love of Poland, not extremists; though one participant in the far-right march interviewd by the channel said he was taking part “to remove Jewry from power.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that some of the protesters chanted "pure white Europe—no Jews, no Muslims" and "purify Poland."
“It was a beautiful sight,” Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said. “We are proud that so many Poles have decided to take part in a celebration connected to the Independence Day holiday.”
A smaller counter-protest by an anti-fascist movement also took place, drawing about 2,000 participants. Organizers kept the two groups apart to prevent violence. However, there was one incident in which the nationalists pushed and kicked several women who chanted anti-fascism slogans and had a banner saying “Stop Fascism.”
Independence Day marks Poland regaining its sovereignty at the end of World War I after being partitioned and ruled since the late 18th century by Russia, Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Duda oversaw ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, walking past a military guard before the raising of the flags and cannon salutes. After delivering a speech he took part in a wreath-laying ceremony, kneeling and crossing himself at the monument to all unknown soldiers killed fighting for the country.
Tusk, who attended at Duda’s invitation, also paid his respects at the monument.
Ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski noted that Poland has not always been fully independent since 1918, a reference to Germany’s occupation during World War II and the decades spent under Moscow’s direction during the Cold War.
Still, he said: “The Polish state was internationally recognized the whole time and that is a great achievement.”
In response, Israel called the far-right march Monday "a dangerous march of extreme and racist elements," and urged Polish authorities to act against organizers.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called the event "a dangerous march of extreme and racist elements."
In a statement to The Associated Press he also said: "We hope Polish authorities act against the organizers. History teaches us that expressions of racist hate must be dealt with swiftly and decisively."
