Anti-immigration protests erupted across numerous towns and cities in Poland, with the largest gathering in Katowice attracting around 3,000 participants. Organized by far-right political party Konfederacja and other nationalist groups, these demonstrations were fueled by claims from their leaders that Poland faces a crisis of illegal migration. During the protests, speakers expressed the need for stricter immigration policies, including the deportation of illegal migrants.
In Bialystok, Krzysztof Bosak, a co-chairman of Konfederacja, warned about the potential deterioration of national security without significant immigration reforms. While many rallies observed a minute's silence for a tragedy involving a young Polish woman who was murdered, rival protests occurred simultaneously in Warsaw, although no incidents of violence were reported.
Despite rising fears among certain political factions about increased immigration—claims which contradict current official statistics showing lower migration numbers this year—Poland has strengthened its border policies. Earlier this month, the nation began implementing stricter checks along its borders with Germany and Lithuania, in response to Berlin's actions to turn away asylum seekers. Additionally, Poland had previously suspended asylum applications for migrants arriving via Belarus in March.
In Bialystok, Krzysztof Bosak, a co-chairman of Konfederacja, warned about the potential deterioration of national security without significant immigration reforms. While many rallies observed a minute's silence for a tragedy involving a young Polish woman who was murdered, rival protests occurred simultaneously in Warsaw, although no incidents of violence were reported.
Despite rising fears among certain political factions about increased immigration—claims which contradict current official statistics showing lower migration numbers this year—Poland has strengthened its border policies. Earlier this month, the nation began implementing stricter checks along its borders with Germany and Lithuania, in response to Berlin's actions to turn away asylum seekers. Additionally, Poland had previously suspended asylum applications for migrants arriving via Belarus in March.
