This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/thousands-of-eastern-europeans-lead-demonstrations-against-migrants-10499692.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Thousands of Eastern Europeans lead demonstrations against refugees | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people took part in anti-refugee and migrant protests in Eastern Europe on Saturday. | |
People flocked to the streets of the capital cities in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to demonstrate against welcoming refugees and migrants. | People flocked to the streets of the capital cities in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to demonstrate against welcoming refugees and migrants. |
Around 10,000 people took part in a rally in Warsaw with nationalists and those with right-wing views chanting “Today refugees, tomorrow terrorists!” | Around 10,000 people took part in a rally in Warsaw with nationalists and those with right-wing views chanting “Today refugees, tomorrow terrorists!” |
Miroslaw Kadziela, 24, told AP: “The refugees are [a] threat to our culture, they will not assimilate with our society.” | Miroslaw Kadziela, 24, told AP: “The refugees are [a] threat to our culture, they will not assimilate with our society.” |
Meanwhile, a smaller number of people gathered in Warsaw and other Polish cities to support helping refugees. | Meanwhile, a smaller number of people gathered in Warsaw and other Polish cities to support helping refugees. |
The EU wants Poland to accept 12,000 migrants but the capital has agreed to only receive 2,000 within two years, AP reported. | The EU wants Poland to accept 12,000 migrants but the capital has agreed to only receive 2,000 within two years, AP reported. |
And despite a message from Pope Francis calling on his followers to help refugees in Europe, Poland’s prominent Catholic politician Jaroslaw Gowin said before the rallies: “On the question of taking in immigrants, Pope Francis is wrong. In no case should we take in Muslims.” | And despite a message from Pope Francis calling on his followers to help refugees in Europe, Poland’s prominent Catholic politician Jaroslaw Gowin said before the rallies: “On the question of taking in immigrants, Pope Francis is wrong. In no case should we take in Muslims.” |
The BBC reported that about 800 people carried banners reading “I do not want refugees and Islam in the Czech Republic” at a demonstration in Prague. | The BBC reported that about 800 people carried banners reading “I do not want refugees and Islam in the Czech Republic” at a demonstration in Prague. |
At a similar rally in Bratislava, around 1,500 people participated. | At a similar rally in Bratislava, around 1,500 people participated. |
The European Commission proposed sharing out 160,000 asylum seekers between 22 of the European Union’s 28 member states. | The European Commission proposed sharing out 160,000 asylum seekers between 22 of the European Union’s 28 member states. |
But Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic have refused to accept refugees under the fixed quota system. | But Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic have refused to accept refugees under the fixed quota system. |
The BBC reported that Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek said: “We’re convinced that as countries we should keep control over the number of those we are able to accept and then offer them support.” | The BBC reported that Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek said: “We’re convinced that as countries we should keep control over the number of those we are able to accept and then offer them support.” |
Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |