Tens of Thousands March in Far-Right Rally on Poland’s Independence Day

Tens of thousands of people, including nationalist opposition leaders, marched through Warsaw on November 11 to mark Poland‘s Independence Day in an event organized by far-right groups. The rally, which has become a point of friction between Poland’s hard-right and liberal centre, saw participants carrying red-and-white Polish flags, as well as banners with anti-EU, anti-Ukraine, and white supremacist messages.

The march, which drew an estimated 90,000 to 200,000 attendees, was marked by the presence of red flares, national anthems, and speeches from prominent right-wing figures. Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, attended the march and delivered a speech in which he described the current government as an “occupying power” representing German and Russian interests. Kaczyński called for the “liberation” of Poland in the upcoming presidential elections.

Police reported detaining 75 people and seizing banned items such as pyrotechnic materials, knives, telescopic batons, and brass knuckles from participants. The event was largely peaceful, despite previous years seeing disorder.

The march also saw expressions of support for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, with some participants waving Trump’s election campaign flags or the U.S. national flag. This reflects a broader sentiment among some in Central Europe who view Trump favorably.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda marked the Independence Day with a call for sustained U.S. commitment to Europe’s security, emphasizing the need for U.S. protection in the face of Russian aggression in the region.

The date of November 11 holds significant historical weight for Poland, marking the 106th anniversary of the country’s restored independence after more than a century of partition and rule by Russia, Germany, and Austro-Hungary. The day commemorates the transfer of power to Józef Piłsudski, who became the de facto leader of Poland on November 11, 1918.