Celebrated on November 11 each year, Poland’s Independence Day marks the regaining of the country’s independence in 1918, after 123 years of partition by the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg Empire.
While some of Friday’s events were sanctioned by the government, others were demonstrations organized by non-governmental political groups, the largest by far being held by anti-islamic, pro-white Polish nationalists. Marching under the slogan ‘Poland: The Bastion of Europe,’ around 50,000 people were estimated to attend the event.
Much smaller demonstrations of the extreme left wing also took place.
Ruptly footage showed nationalists waving Polish flags through the streets, with many waving flares. Some carried banners depicting a falanga – a far-right symbol from the 1930s depicting a stylized hand with a sword.
Other banners read “God, Honor, Fatherland” and “Death to the enemies of the fatherland,” and “To be a Pole, to be Catholic is a privilege and honor.”
There were no reports of violence or arrests, as the left wing march was located on a different route well away from the main demonstrations.