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| Poland protest: Hundreds of thousands demand change in Warsaw | Poland protest: Hundreds of thousands demand change in Warsaw |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hundreds of thousands of protesters have gathered in Warsaw for one of Poland's largest demonstrations since the fall of communism in 1989. | Hundreds of thousands of protesters have gathered in Warsaw for one of Poland's largest demonstrations since the fall of communism in 1989. |
| Most opposition parties have called on supporters to join the march against the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski. | Most opposition parties have called on supporters to join the march against the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski. |
| Among those attending are former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and former President Lech Walesa. | Among those attending are former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and former President Lech Walesa. |
| The PiS has condemned the gathering as a "march of hate". | The PiS has condemned the gathering as a "march of hate". |
| The mayor's office for Warsaw has estimated half a million people attended the event, which fell on the 34th anniversary of Poland's first partially-free elections. | The mayor's office for Warsaw has estimated half a million people attended the event, which fell on the 34th anniversary of Poland's first partially-free elections. |
| Many travelled from across the country to take part, and simultaneous demonstrations have been held in other Polish cities like Krakow. | Many travelled from across the country to take part, and simultaneous demonstrations have been held in other Polish cities like Krakow. |
| A wide variety of issues brought protests together, including frustrations over inflation, costs of living, and rights for women and LGBT. | A wide variety of issues brought protests together, including frustrations over inflation, costs of living, and rights for women and LGBT. |
| Concerns have also been raised against new law accused of undermining Poland's democracy. | Concerns have also been raised against new law accused of undermining Poland's democracy. |
| The law, criticised by the EU and US, sets up a commission to investigate undue Russian influence in Polish politics, and has the power to ban people from assuming public office for 10 years. | The law, criticised by the EU and US, sets up a commission to investigate undue Russian influence in Polish politics, and has the power to ban people from assuming public office for 10 years. |
| Polish probe into 'Russian influence' angers EU | Polish probe into 'Russian influence' angers EU |
| The government denies it is subverting democracy and President Andrzej Duda has proposed amendments to remove these powers. | The government denies it is subverting democracy and President Andrzej Duda has proposed amendments to remove these powers. |
| But critics say it could still be used against people, including Mr Tusk - Poland's main opposition leader and head of the centrist Civic Platform (PO) party. | But critics say it could still be used against people, including Mr Tusk - Poland's main opposition leader and head of the centrist Civic Platform (PO) party. |
| Opponents say it could also bolster the PiS' standing in this year's parliamentary elections. | Opponents say it could also bolster the PiS' standing in this year's parliamentary elections. |
| The protest was attended by former President Lech Walesa (left) and former Prime Minister Donald Tusk (right) | The protest was attended by former President Lech Walesa (left) and former Prime Minister Donald Tusk (right) |
| Crowds of people have been pictured waving Polish and EU flags and holding placards, and participants told the BBC that protesters were chanting "democracy" and "we will win". | Crowds of people have been pictured waving Polish and EU flags and holding placards, and participants told the BBC that protesters were chanting "democracy" and "we will win". |
| "I came here to defend democracy because I can't stand how our parliament, the constitutional tribunal are destroyed, the European Union is diminished," one protester told Reuters news agency. | "I came here to defend democracy because I can't stand how our parliament, the constitutional tribunal are destroyed, the European Union is diminished," one protester told Reuters news agency. |
| Donald Tusk, a former head of the European Council, also welcomed supporters during the "record" march. | Donald Tusk, a former head of the European Council, also welcomed supporters during the "record" march. |
| "Democracy dies in silence but you've raised your voice for democracy today, silence is over, we will shout," said Mr Tusk. | "Democracy dies in silence but you've raised your voice for democracy today, silence is over, we will shout," said Mr Tusk. |
| Ahead of the event, the PiS accused organisers of of hypocrisy, tweeting a video about police brutality and violence against the media while Mr Tusk was in office. | |
| Wojciech Przybylski, editor of Visegrad Insight, told the BBC that these protests show Poland's opposition groups can unite over common causes, despite their political differences. | Wojciech Przybylski, editor of Visegrad Insight, told the BBC that these protests show Poland's opposition groups can unite over common causes, despite their political differences. |
| But PiS is still ahead in opinion polls, he adds, and "this is going to mobilise them, because they know the opposition is for real". | But PiS is still ahead in opinion polls, he adds, and "this is going to mobilise them, because they know the opposition is for real". |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Donald Tusk | Donald Tusk |
| Andrzej Duda | Andrzej Duda |
| Warsaw | Warsaw |
| Poland | Poland |