Warsaw Art Gallery Attacked Following Memorial March Tensions

A 44-year-old man was arrested for vandalizing the Las Rąk gallery in Warsaw on July 6, claiming his actions were triggered by anger over employees’ reactions to a recent memorial march.

The Vandalism at Marszałkowska Street

On Monday, July 6, the Las Rąk gallery, a long-standing community space for meetings and workshops, was demolished. The owners documented the destruction on Facebook, posting images of the ruined interior.

Gallery owner Zofia Borucińska described the intensity of the attack, noting that the perpetrator used significant force to clear heavy objects from a workspace in a single motion.

Motivations Behind the Attack

Police arrested a 44-year-old Polish citizen on July 10 in connection with the incident. Junior Aspirant Jakub Pacyniak reported that the suspect, who has a history of prior criminal offenses, claimed he was provoked by online videos of a march held on July 4.

The suspect stated that seeing gallery staff express disapproval toward march participants triggered an emotional response, leading him to travel to the location and destroy the property.

Escalating Threats and Online Harassment

Gallery owners reported a surge of threats following the July 4 march, which they claim was misinterpreted by some as a rally against Ukrainians. They clarified that their dissent concerned the politicization of the Volhynia massacre, not a hatred toward Ukrainians.

The staff received numerous threats, including promises of violence, arson, and death, alongside demands to shut down the gallery. These communications were documented by the owners as potential criminal acts.

Police Action and Legal Consequences

Authorities also investigated threats directed at the gallery staff. A 65-year-old resident of the Małopolska region was identified and arrested for making criminal threats via phone calls.

The suspect has been formally charged with two counts of making criminal threats. He is currently under police supervision and is prohibited from contacting or approaching the victims.

Community Support

In response to the damage, the owners of Las Rąk have launched an online crowdfunding campaign to help cover the costs of repairs and restore the gallery space.