Anti-immigration protests have erupted in multiple towns and cities across Poland, with the largest rally in Katowice attracting around 3,000 participants. Organized by the far-right political group Konfederacja and a nationalist organization, the protests focused on fears of rising illegal immigration. However, official data contradict these claims, as migration numbers for this year have been lower compared to previous years.
During the protests, participants took a moment of silence to honor a 24-year-old woman who was murdered in Torun, highlighting the tensions surrounding the topic. In the capital, Warsaw, rival demonstrations unfolded close to each other, yet no incidents of violence were reported. As tensions rise, authorities have tightened border checks with Germany and Lithuania in response to the increasing number of asylum seekers being turned away. Earlier this year, Poland also suspended asylum applications for migrants arriving from Belarus, amid ongoing immigration debates within Europe.
