WATCH thousands of far-right marchers light a SEA OF FLARES in Poland as police look on (VIDEO)
The ultra-nationalist crowds that flocked to Poland for its independence day march were seen performing Nazi salutes and burning flares at the event attended by staggering 200,000 people. Police, however, stood idly by.
Crowds of people, including various far-right groups, unleashed a sea of fire and smoke on the streets and squares of the Polish capital of Warsaw during an event marking a centenary of Poland's independence on Sunday. Videos posted on social media show a Warsaw square being lit with thousands of red flares burnt by the marchers.
Punkt kulminacyjny 🇵🇱 #MarszNiepodleglosci#100lecieniepodległościpic.twitter.com/1I0RBlNzvq
— Mateusz Dolatowski (@emdolatowski) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Fajnie było. Ale za rok - nowy rząd i powrót do tradycji: zadymy, prowokacje, ganianki, gaz łzawiący. #MarszNiepodległości2018#MarszNiepodległościpic.twitter.com/yQxglfft8B
— ptb (@ptb2015) 11 ноября 2018 г.
#MarszNiepodległości z rekordową frekwencją! pic.twitter.com/jYLyu5y1l8
— Witold Tumanowicz (@WTumanowicz) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Described last year as the largest far-right gathering in the world, participants apparently felt quite comfortable on the Warsaw streets. Photos posted on social media showed members of the Polish National Radical Camp (ONR), which is often described as a neo-Nazi group, waving their flags as they took part in the celebration.
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski...#MarszNiepodległościpic.twitter.com/XFEnykBDlf
— Phil Backensky🇵🇱💯 (@Phil_Backensky) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Members of another ultra-nationalist organization called the All-Polish Youth were seen unfurling a large banner with their symbols during the march. According to some reports, they also burned an EU flag.
Oprawa przygotowana przez Młodzież Wszechpolską. #MarszNiepodległościpic.twitter.com/UsrLINP44F
— Witold Tumanowicz (@WTumanowicz) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Flares and firecrackers were also seen being thrown around in the streets, even though pyrotechnics were supposed to be prohibited at the rally. Eyewitnesses said that police ignored the antics.
Flares are already being let off by participants. This is illegal but ignored by police every year #MarszNiepodlegloscipic.twitter.com/iDDmc6Jimz
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱💯 (@notesfrompoland) 11 ноября 2018 г.
#MarszNiepodległości2018#MarszNiepodległościpic.twitter.com/Umz631yabN
— Hubert Michałowski (@hmichalowski) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Slogans such as "USA, empire of evil" and "Poland, white and Catholic" were shouted. However, Polish nationalists were not the only ones to attend the controversial event. Side by side with the ONR marched Italian neo-fascists from the radical Forza Nuova movement.
Skrajni nacjonaliści z ONR i neofaszyści z Forza Nuova obok siebie na #MarszNiepodległości. Smutne to. pic.twitter.com/HmOXJhrhA6
— Marcin Wyrwał (@Wyrwal) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Italian neo-fascists Forza Nuova are attending the march, as they have in the past.This is the same march the Polish president and government are cooperating with #MarszNiepodlegloscipic.twitter.com/xyvWjvP0a0
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱💯 (@notesfrompoland) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Some of them were wearing balaclavas while others were seen openly performing Nazi salutes.
Chłopaki z ONR-u zapomnieli powiedzieć włoskim przyjaciołom z Forza Nuova, że w PL całkiem fajna pogoda i nie trzeba ubierać kominiarek.#MarszNiepodległościpic.twitter.com/HbvxW6hxd7
— Phil Backensky🇵🇱💯 (@Phil_Backensky) 11 ноября 2018 г.
Flaga Unii Europejskiej spalona. Tłum skanduje: Precz z Unią Europejską! #MarszNiepodległościpic.twitter.com/qrRHTsw825
— Młodzież Wszechpolska (@MWszechpolska) 11 בנובמבר 2018
Such actions prompted no response from the Polish authorities: there are no reports of any detentions or instances of police interference during the march. The Polish police were on strike at the time of the event and warned in advance that they would not be able to provide security for it.
READ MORE: ‘Europe will be white’: Polish leaders sanction massive far-right march in Warsaw (VIDEO)
The Polish government also made an unprecedented move by not only sanctioning the event but also taking part in it. President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and the leader of the ruling conservative Law and Justice party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, all participated in a joint march.
Kaczynski, who is considered to be one of the most powerful men in Poland and is known for his uncompromising views, called the march a "great success," according to Radio Poland.
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