Tens of thousands join Poland’s nationalist Independence Day march
Tens of thousands of nationalist sympathizers have gathered in Warsaw for Poland's annual Independence Day march, days after a deadly shooting in Krakow linked to far-right ideology.
Participants carrying Polish flags assembled in central Warsaw on Wednesday, as police officers were deployed to secure the demonstration. The annual march has long been a source of tension between right-wing groups and Poland's governing centrists.
Historical significance
The Independence Day march has been held annually on November 11 since 1918 to commemorate the end of more than 100 years of partition by Russia, Prussia and Austria. Supporters say the gathering, held under the motto 'A Pole is the host in Poland', is an expression of national pride.
Political tensions
Organizers expected a record turnout, with foreign nationalists from Spain's Revuelta and Hungary's Mi Hazank party attending. President Karol Nawrocki was seen at the march, stating that Poland 'does not exist today so that the political elites can grant themselves the right to manage citizens against the will of the nation'.
Krakow aftermath
The march comes days after a mass shooting in Krakow killed six people. Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek said the 24-year-old gunman, who died after being shot by police, had been interested in neo-Nazi Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011.
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