Opposition leader urges turnout for illegal migration protest
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's socially-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, has announced that a protest against illegal migration will take place in Poland on October 11 and urged "all patriotic forces" to join.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Kaczynski said Poland was facing "the beginning of an operation aimed at making our country bear the heavy burden of migration." He argued the protest was necessary to put pressure on the government "to oppose what Germany and Brussels are currently preparing for us, instead of establishing centres for migrants."
"It will be a protest against illegal migration, against the migration pact, and against all the measures that are meant to bring misfortune to Poland," Kaczynski said.
Government spokesman Adam Szlapka responded to the announcement by calling the initiative "hypocrisy." He said PiS had previously created "massive chaos" in the visa-issuing process and was now "building a political narrative based on incitement and xenophobia."
"Under Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s government, Poland experienced the largest inflow of migrants in its history," Szlapka said. "And now he wants to organise anti-migrant marches, it's hard to call that anything other than hypocrisy." He accused PiS of "cynically" fuelling xenophobic attitudes that "could lead to violence."
On July 7, temporary border controls were introduced at the borders with Germany and Lithuania due to a spike in irregular migration. Shortly after, individuals associated with the nationalist Border Defence Movement (ROG) appeared at certain sections of the Polish-German border, declaring that they were guarding it against illegal migrants and were encouraged by conservative politicians.
ROG was established by the nationalist activist Robert Bakiewicz. On its official website, it states that it is a "nationwide social initiative," with the objective of "defending Poland against mass migration and its related threats." Activists associated with this movement have reportedly disrupted the region by conducting unlawful checks on civilians and undermining the authority of security services. (PAP)
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