Warsaw bans independence march

The city of Warsaw has banned a march by Polish nationalists to celebrate Poland's independence day on November 11. Warsaw has already suffered enough from aggressive nationalism, Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz said in support of the decision. Poland's national-conservative government announced that it will organise another march. Is the ban justified?

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wPolityce.pl (PL) /

An anti-Polish act

The nationalist website wPolityce.pl condemns the ban:

“This is a crass, repellent, anti-Polish act. It's also an anti-state act, because the bottom line is that this march is a wonderful celebration of the recovery of our statehood. The nonsense about fascists is nothing but a symptom of the self-infatuation of a woman who has long been unable to cope with the tasks her office entails. ... On November 11 it will be a very important duty to show pride, joy, and enthusiasm for our wonderful forefathers.”

Gazeta Wyborcza (PL) /

Mayor saving the country's honour

Gazeta Wyborcza, in contrast, welcomes the decision taken by Warsaw's mayor:

“How long must we Poles be held hostage by the far right due to the government's shocking passivity? For how much longer must we be afraid to go outside on November 11? Today the independence march, which is growing more radical from year to year, is one of the biggest far-right demonstrations worldwide. European neo-Nazis with swastika tattoos converge on Warsaw to take part. Are we supposed to look on helplessly? Our government has failed. After a hundred years of independence, Warsaw's mayor is attempting to save the country's honour.”