85th Anniversary of the Jedwabne Pogrom Marked by Official Commemorations and Far-Right Protest
Poland marked the 85th anniversary of the Jedwabne pogrom with official ceremonies at the monument site, held concurrently with a demonstration organized by far-right groups, including Grzegorz...
Poland marked the 85th anniversary of the Jedwabne pogrom with official ceremonies at the monument site, held concurrently with a demonstration organized by far-right groups, including Grzegorz Braun.
Official Commemorations
The primary ceremony took place under a tent erected over the monument. Attendees included Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Marshal of the Sejm, and Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate. Czarzasty warned against the distortion of history, emphasizing that historical truth must be upheld regarding all crimes, whether the Volhynian massacre or the events in Jedwabne.
Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich, Father Wojciech Lemański, and Pastor Michał Jabłoński led a joint prayer for the victims. Rabbi Schudrich stated that their presence was intended for prayer and mourning, noting that the collective act was of primary importance. Following the prayer, the names of the victims were read aloud. Wojciech Kolarski, representing the President of Poland, attended the ceremony to pay his respects.
Parallel Far-Right Demonstration
A separate group, including Grzegorz Braun and supporters of circles like “Najwyższy Czas,” held a protest near the monument, where they set up a stage, a cross, and an unveiling of their own plaque. A Catholic mass was held on the stage, accompanied by an exhibition themed around the “Jedwabne lie.”
Journalist Maciej Chołodowski reported that approximately 300 people gathered for the demonstration, carrying banners with slogans such as “We demand exhumation” and “We demand the truth.” The exhibition featured images of Rabbi Schudrich, former presidents Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Lech Kaczyński, and Bronisław Komorowski, as well as Jan Tomasz Gross, author of the book “Neighbors.”
Security and Order
Podlaskie police confirmed that over 100 officers were deployed to secure the area since the previous day. A police spokesperson stated that the proceedings took place without any disturbances.