During Warsaw’s Independence Day march, nationalist slogans, extremist symbols and illicit pyrotechnics sparked criticism that the Polish state failed to curb radicalization.
Independence March: “Racist and Neo‑Nazi Slogans”
Jacek Purski, political scientist and founder of the Institute for Social Security, said the march featured unacceptable slogans beyond the usual patriotic themes. He highlighted the presence of nationalist factions promoting white‑Europe rhetoric and neo‑Nazi imagery, including Celtic crosses, overt racist slogans, and the symbol of a black sun.
He added that the delegation included individuals linked to extremist groups in Italy and Hungary, and stressed that most participants do not wish to be associated with these extremist displays. “I want to emphasize that the majority of marchers do not want to be linked with these symbols,” Purski remarked.
Polish State Depicted as Powerless toward a Handful of People
According to Purski, a small number of extremists can spread extreme ideology and disrupt a national holiday because the state does not recognize the problem of radicalization. “The Polish state is powerless against a handful of people who promote extreme ideology and disrupt the holiday,” he said.
Warsaw Independence March Attendance and Police Actions
The city hall reported about 100,000 attendees, while organizers claimed more than double that number. Police detained 40 individuals, including drug possession and some people on criminal watch lists. Officers seized over 820 pieces of pyrotechnics, such as race crackers, parade torches and exploding fireworks.
Police also intervened twice over slogans on banners, documenting the incidents. The recordings and documents will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for criminal assessment.
Marcin Kierwiński: Rhetoric That Divides Continues to Surface
Marcin Kierwiński, head of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, noted that the march felt safer than in recent years, yet divisive rhetoric persisted. He expressed hope that the situation would improve over time.
He reminded that Polish law bans the use of pyrotechnics for safety reasons, citing past incidents where fireworks caused damage in Warsaw. “The ban applies both at the event and on the way to large gatherings,” Kierwiński said, adding that those who defy the ban face fines.