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Tens of Thousands Attend Polish Nationalist March Amid Heightened Tensions
· Confirmed
In Short: Tens of thousands of nationalist supporters gathered in Warsaw on Saturday for Poland's Independence Day march, which has long been a source of tension between right-wing groups and the country's governing centrists.
Tens of thousands of nationalist supporters gathered in Warsaw on Saturday for Poland's Independence Day march, which has long been a source of tension between right-wing groups and the country's governing centrists. The march, held annually since 1918, commemorates the end of more than 100 years of partition by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and marks the country regaining its sovereignty at the end of World War I after being partitioned and ruled since the late 18th century by those powers.
The event took place amid heightened political divisions following a mass shooting in Krakow that killed six people and wounded more than a dozen on Saturday, November 7. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had appealed for restraint before the march, noting that the gunman in the Krakow shooting may have been motivated by far-right ideology.
Organizers of the march said they expected a record turnout, with many foreign nationalists set to attend, including Spain’s Revuelta, a youth movement linked to Vox, and members of the Hungarian far-right Mi Hazank party. The march was marked by criticism for anti-Semitic and anti-immigration rhetoric, while supporters say the gathering, held under the motto 'A Pole is the host in Poland,' is an expression of national pride.
The march was also marked by chants of 'God, honour, country' and some racist slogans including 'Pure Poland, white Poland.' According to the AFP, 'I'd say some people here do have extreme views, maybe even 30% of those marching, but 70% are simply walking peacefully, without shouting any fascist slogans.'
Police estimated that 60,000 people took part in the main march. The event has become the largest Independence Day event in recent years, overshadowing official state observances and other patriotic events.
The march took place amid heightened security following two stabbing attacks earlier in the week, one of which led to the killing of a female caretaker. Schools in Poland had been stepping up security following knife attacks at schools across the country on October 7 and 8.
What this adds
The march, which has long been a source of tension between right-wing groups and Poland’s governing centrists, was marked by criticism for anti-Semitic and anti-immigration rhetoric, while supporters say the gathering, held under the motto “A Pole is the host in Poland”, is an expression of national pride.
Background
Heavy rains have flooded approximately 70,000 tents in Gaza, leaving tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians without adequate shelter, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office.
What's confirmed
- The Independence Day march, which has long been a source of tension between right-wing groups and Poland’s governing centrists, has been held annually on November 11 since 1918 to commemorate the end of more than 100 years of partition by Russia, Prussia and Austria.
- The annual march has faced criticism for anti-Semitic and anti-immigration rhetoric, while supporters say the gathering, held under the motto “A Pole is the host in Poland”, is an expression of national pride.
- Poland’s conservative-nationalist President Karol Nawrocki was seen attending the march and has previously participated in both his official capacity and as a private citizen.
- Tens of thousands of nationalist sympathisers have gathered in Poland’s capital, Warsaw, for an Independence Day march, days after a mass shooting in Krakow killed six people.
- Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks as President Donald Trump listens at a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day in the East Room of the White House, March 24, 2025, in Washington.
- Prior to the march, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk appealed for restraint amid heightened political divisions after ministers said the man who killed six people and wounded more than a dozen in the main square of Krakow on Saturday, November 7 may have been motivated by far-right ideology.
- Tens of thousands of people joined a nationalist march in Warsaw on Saturday, organised to coincide with Poland's independence day.
What's still developing
- President Donald Trump and US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Ann Guilfoyle greet each other during a Greek Independence Day celebration event at the White House on March 26, 2026.
- Heavy rains have flooded approximately 70,000 tents in Gaza, leaving tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians without adequate shelter, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office.