Police intervene to stem scuffles between anti-immigrant and counter-protesters chanting anti-fascist slogans in Warsaw and other Polish cities
Jo Harper |20.07.2025 - TRT/AA
WARSAW
Police intervened after clashes broke out between anti-immigrant protesters and counter-protesters chanting anti-fascist slogans during Saturday's “Stop Immigration” protests in Warsaw and other Polish cities.
Anti-immigration demonstrations organized by groups associated with the far-right political party Confederation took place in 80 cities across Poland, including the capital Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Lodz, Poznan, Gdansk, Lublin, Bialystok, and Torun.
“Poland is becoming increasingly defenseless against the growing wave of immigration,” the organizers wrote on social media.
“We don’t want Poland sharing the fate of Western Europe … The state is failing, so citizens are taking action,” they continued.
“Ordinary people from every corner of the country have stepped up with a clear message and motivation: WE WANT TO LIVE IN SAFETY!”
Since 2021, Poland has faced increased immigration on its eastern border, which Warsaw and other states say is being engineered by Belarus to help tens of thousands of migrants – mainly from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa – to cross into the EU.
On Poland’s western border, Germany reintroduced border controls in 2023 and has since been sending back migrants to Poland after they tried to enter unlawfully.
Poland’s government banned asylum claims for migrants who enter from Belarus and toughened the visa system, including adding to a militarized fence along the Belarus border.
‘The real threat is fascists, not migrants’
“We demand the closure of borders to mass, uncontrolled immigration!” declared Krzysztof Bosak, one of Confederation’s leaders, at a protest in the northeastern city of Bialystok. “Enough of the Polish state’s passivity toward those who illegally invade our territory!”
"Enough of the long-standing policy of 'let anyone in, and find out who they are to be determined later. Polish women and men have the right to care about the level of security in their own homeland. There is no 'hatred' in such an attitude, as they try to make us believe!" Bosak wrote on social media.
Confederation MP Przemyslaw Wipler also addressed the gathering.
"We have met here during the summer holidays, because for smugglers, for those who illegally smuggle people into Europe, who smuggle illegally into Poland, there are no holidays," he said, as quoted by Polish press agency PAP.
"The practices that are taking place are on an increasingly large scale. This is due to the fact that Poland is an increasingly wealthy country. It is an increasingly attractive country, a country where billions of people in very poor places around the world dream of living," he said.
In Warsaw, the anti-immigration march was met by an opposing “Stop Fascism” demonstration made up of around 100 people, reported broadcaster RMF.
“The real threat is fascists, not migrants. It’s fascism that is the crime, not migration,” said the organizers, United Against Racism. Police reported that they had been forced to intervene in order to keep rival groups apart.
A group of several dozen gathered outside the Rotunda in central Warsaw.
Signs with slogans such as "Accept refugees – expel fascists," "We defend the right to asylum," and "Migrants welcome" were visible.
Copyright Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reservedBy Katarzyna-Maria SkibPublished on 19/07/2025 -
On Saturday, anti-immigration marches under the slogan 'Stop Immigration' took place in more than 80 Polish cities. Some of them were accompanied by counter-manifestations by left-wing circles. A total of 100 public gatherings were reported across the country.
Anti-immigration protests organised by the far-right Confederation Libery and Independence party took place in more than 80 cities across Poland, including in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw, and Bialystok.
Demonstrators demanded the closure of the borders with Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Slovakia.
"Enough of the years-long policy of 'let everyone in, and who they are will be determined later'," Krzysztof Bosak, one of Confederation party's leaders, wrote on X.
"Polish women and men have the right to be concerned about the level of security in their own homeland," he added.
In a speech at the start of the march, Bosak demanded the resignation of Donald Tusk's government, the closure of the borders with Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Slovakia to curb illegal immigration, and the permission for soldiers to shoot at people who cross the border illegally.
"Without closing Poland to illegal immigration, without launching a deportation operation, without renouncing political correctness, without equipping the Border Guard and the forces responsible for controlling the legality of residence, and without controlling the labour market, security will gradually deteriorate," he said, calling for a change in policy.
The protests come shortly after Poland introduced border controls with Germany and Lithuania, which came into effect on 7 July.
On the Polish-German border, controls are in place at 52 places and on the Polish-Lithuanian border at 13.
The issue of migration has been widely up for debate, and a contentious topic in Polish politics, particularly as the country has experienced a rise in immigration in recent years.
In the first round of the presidential elections held in May, candidates of the far-right performed well, with Slawomir Mentzen of the Confederation Libery and Independence party and Grzegorz Braun of Confederation of the Polish Crown party coming in third and fourth, respectively.
Many believe that both candidates' successes were due to their hardline stance on migration.
Interior ministers agree on asylum rules
On Friday, Poland and five other EU countries, agreed a set of targets for tightening asylum rules. During the meeting hosted by Germany's interior minister, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted that he was "pleased that Poland is carrying out border controls."
Last year, Poland saw an increase in asylum applications due to the recurring crisis on its eastern border with Belarus, which has been ongoing since 2021.
As a result, the Polish parliament passed a law temporarily suspending the right to apply for asylum for those who crossed the Belarusian border.
Both Polish and European leaders have long accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the influx of migrants to destabilise the EU.
On Saturday morning, the Ministry of Interior and Administration published statistics on the number of approvals issued for special protection for foreigners on X.
"In 2024, we issued 40 per cent fewer approvals for special protection for foreigners than in 2021. This is the result of a better managed system, our operations at the border and more efficient procedures," the post read.
"The government is pursuing a responsible and well-considered migration policy, taking care of the stability and security of citizens," it added.
Counter demonstrations in many cities
Counter-manifestations against the Confederation marches were also held in Warsaw, Katowice, Olsztyn and other cities on Saturday.
Demonstrators carried banners with the slogans: "Accept the refugees, delete the fascists," "Action Democracy" and "We defend the right to asylum."
"Everyone, regardless of their skin colour and origin, should feel comfortable not only in Poland, but also in Europe," Maria Książak of the International Humanitarian Initiative Foundation said during the demonstration.
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