Polish nationalists drew huge crowds in Warsaw on Independence Day. Authorities estimate that up to 250,000 people participated—while organizers put the number at nearly one million. At the same time, sharp criticism was directed at Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the international media’s coverage of the demonstration.
On Wednesday, November 11, the streets of Warsaw were filled with Polish flags as the annual Independence March took place. The demonstration was held on the 108th anniversary of Poland's regained independence and proceeded from the Dmowski Roundabout to the National Stadium.
This year's slogan was Poles Call the Shots in Poland. President Karol Nawrocki participated alongside representatives of several right-wing parties, including the nationalist party Konfederacjas Krzysztof Bosak and Sławomir Mentzen as well as the leader of Law and Justice (PiS), Jarosław Kaczyński.
Record turnout—significant differences in the numbers
Warsaw's Chief of Security Jarosław Misztal reported, citing police figures, that up to 250,000 people participated. That would surpass the authorities’ previous record of 200,000 set in 2018. A spokesperson for the organizers Rafał Buca In contrast, they estimated the number of participants at nearly one million.
It’s been an incredible journey since the first marches were held. From 2007 to 2009, the marches drew a couple hundred people. In 2010, when the first edition of what has now become a traditional march was held, between 5,000 and 10,000 people participated. Today, there is talk of as many as one million participants. This demonstrates the potential for a nationalist movement to grow rapidly, even when it is persecuted and opposed by those in power.
Harsh Criticism of Tusk's Government
The march also served as a protest against the government. The nationalist organization Młodzież Wszechpolska unfurled a large banner inspired by the video game Grand Theft Auto, featuring caricatures of Tusk and other leaders.
The organization signed X:
”Tusk’s gang is on the attack—GTA VI at the Independence March. We’ve had enough of this pathological government, which is why we made this banner! Do you like it?”
Bartosz Malewski, chairman of the Marschef organization, demanded that Poles themselves determine the country's future and that the government, too, abide by the law.
– We want a Poland that tells Europe and the world: We can cooperate, but it is we Poles who decide Poland’s fate.
Reuters is painting a bleak picture
The Reuters news agency described the demonstration as a march by the ”far right.” The wording sparked criticism, including Bosak, who believed that the media was applying a political label to the participants.
He urged Reuters to cover the demonstration next time without labeling the participants. As a result, even the reporting on the march became a point of contention.
According to reliable sources, the Rothschilds purchased the news agency Reuters in the late 1800s.
Since then, they have ruled Europe through two world wars and lent money to both sides. No doubt about it.
So now that the smear campaign is coming from that direction, I see a thoroughly criminal, dark, dark force that must be exposed, scrutinized, and brought to light on the courts’ bulletin boards.
A mafia-like organization…