Warsaw sets Independence March slogan: "A Pole is the master in Poland"

Slogan chosen for 11 November demonstration

The organisers of the nationalist Independence March, scheduled for 11 November in Warsaw, officially presented its main slogan. It is the phrase "A Pole is the master in Poland". Representatives of the initiative explained that this choice was driven, among other things, by the controversy surrounding a court ruling on incitement to hatred.

Court ruling as a trigger for discussion

In July this year, a court in Zamość (Lublin Voivodeship) sentenced Oliwia Olejnik, an activist of the nationalist organisation "Młodzież Wszechpolska". She was found guilty of incitement to hatred, and the text of the ruling specifically mentioned the phrase "A Pole is the master in Poland", which she had uttered.

Commenting on the situation, Bartosz Malewski, head of the "Independence March" Association, stated:

«Ми дожили до часів, коли обмежується свобода слова. Коли господарем є німець, білорус, француз, а не поляк. Ми з цим не згодні, це ми господарі в цій країні» (We have reached times when freedom of speech is restricted. When the master is a German, a Belarusian, a Frenchman, and not a Pole. We do not agree with this, we are the masters in this country).

Focus on migration issue

During the press conference, the organisers also devoted significant attention to the topic of migration. Bartosz Malewski claimed that due to migration processes, Poland is becoming "increasingly unsafe". He specifically mentioned Ukrainian citizens and listed several criminal offences in which, according to him, foreigners were involved.

Mateusz Marzoch, head of security for the march, reinforced this thesis, stating:

«Поляк — господар у Польщі, а не українець чи індус. Ми не можемо дозволити іншим націям домінувати над нашою культурою і суспільством» (A Pole is the master in Poland, not a Ukrainian or an Indian. We cannot allow other nations to dominate our culture and society).

According to Marzoch, there are certain limits to Polish hospitality towards foreigners.

Reaction to questions about xenophobic placards

Journalists asked the organisers about xenophobic placards that had appeared at previous marches. In particular, they mentioned the banner "White Europe, or not Europe" ("Біла Європа або ніякої Європи"), which participants carried a year ago. In response, Marcin Osowski, head of "Młodzież Wszechpolska", replied that he had not seen such a placard and asked to inform the organisers if similar slogans appear again.

Details of the event

The Independence March will start on 11 November at 14:00. The traditional route of participants will run from Rondo Dmowskiego through Jerozolimskie Avenue and Poniatowski Bridge to the National Stadium. The "Independence Town" will begin its operations earlier — at 09:00.