Demonstrations of Tens of Thousands of Polish Nationalists: 'Europe Must Be for White People'

Tens of thousands of nationalists in Poland took to the streets on Sunday, chanting slogans against immigrants and Muslims, calling for racial homogeneity in Europe in favor of the white race. According to CNN, the protesters, who occupied the streets of Warsaw, the capital of Poland, shouted slogans such as 'White Europe, Europe must be for white people' and 'We demand a Holocaust for Muslims.' Some of the marchers covered their faces and waved the red and white flag of Poland while chanting 'Death to the enemies of our homeland' and 'Catholic Poland, not secular.' The Polish police estimated that about 60,000 nationalists attended the rally, with some coming from across Europe. CNN reports that one of the main organizers of this rally was an organization described as a 'far-right nationalist group' that has previously held gatherings protesting against Muslim immigrants, LGBTQ rights, the European Union, and anything deemed contrary to Catholic Polish values. Critics believe that the Polish government is strengthening movements like the 'far-right nationalist group' and argue that the government is fostering nationalism and linking immigrants to crime and disorder, pushing society toward racism and intolerance. A day before this rally, another protest was held in Warsaw opposing this wave of nationalism in Poland. Attendees at that gathering believe that the far-right nationalists are hijacking the country's Independence Day for their own benefit. However, the number of attendees at that protest was significantly lower than at the Sunday march. Poles celebrate November 11 (21 Aban) as their Independence Day, marking the day in 1918 when Poland was reborn after being annexed by Prussia, the Habsburg Empire, and Russia for 123 years.