“The March in the center of Warsaw began with a mass performance of the national anthem”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
This year’s slogan is “We are the strength of Great Poland”. The organizers predicted that 100,000 people would take part in the event, but according to the capital security department, there were approximately 90,000 participants.
On the eve of the Independence March, the Mazowiecki voivode issued a ban on the use of pyrotechnics, but the participants did not comply – they lit fireworks, set off fireworks and used firecrackers. Before the start of the march, the police detained 75 people who were carrying pyrotechnics. Many pyrotechnic devices were also seized.
According to the information of the Warsaw police, among those detained were citizens who were carrying knives, telescopic batons and brass knuckles.
The March in the center of Warsaw began with a mass performance of the national anthem. Then the convoy moved to the National Stadium. Along the way, people chanted “Honor and glory to the heroes”, “God, honor, fatherland”.
A group of people carried large posters with the inscription “Ukrainian genocide against Poles 1939-1947. We remember” and “Ukraine! Why don’t you allow us to bury our mothers and fathers of the murdered OUN-UPA and SS “Galichyna”.
The participants of the march tied the flag of the European Union to the truck accompanying the column and dragged it along the road. Also, according to RMF FM, a group of people burned the EU flag. The publication informs that anti-government and anti-Ukrainian shouts could be heard from time to time in the crowd.
The Independence March was attended by representatives of the opposition party “Law and Justice” led by leader Yaroslav Kaczynski, as well as the far-right, anti-Ukrainian party “Confederation” led by presidential candidate Slawomir Mentzen.
The participants of the procession were various representatives of Poles – from ultras football fans in balaclavas to ordinary families.
“This is a demonstration of popular sentiments in Poland. The more of us there are, the more we will show that we love Poland, that we want good for it, that we want changes. We came as a whole family, from a young age we show the children what the flag means, what the national anthem of Poland means,” said the father of three children to a Radio Liberty correspondent.
“I don’t take part in the march every year, but I think that this year is the most mobilizing for us, because there are so many dangers from different sides that I think it’s worth being a Pole and it’s worth being, first of all, people who love each other so that there are no divisions and hatred “, says a resident of Warsaw with a large flag on her shoulders.
“I believe that such holidays should be celebrated in order to demonstrate one’s attachment to the country and patriotism. There are many families with children, everyone is marching calmly. When 100 or 200,000 march, some incidents can always happen, some provocations, but the march always passes, as far as I’m concerned, safely, everyone gathered to celebrate, not to create a mess,” another participant of the procession shared his thoughts.
According to the Warsaw police, this year’s demonstration took place without “serious incidents”.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Poland on Independence Day, which the country celebrates on November 11.
Zelensky called Poland a good neighbor and friend with whom Ukraine is fighting side by side for common freedom. The head of state thanked for the support that Poland provides to Ukraine.