Violence marred Poland’s Independence Day celebrations for the third year in succession as left-wing and right-wing extremists clashed in Warsaw following an attack on a squat.
Youths threw masonry and improvised petrol bombs at each other and at police who deployed rubber bullets and pepper spray. Some made fire, setting a guard booth alight outside the Russian embassy – a symbol for some Poles of repression during soviet rule.
Before the violence broke out at Monday’s march, demonstrators chanted: “God, honour, fatherland!” and waved Poland’s red-and-white national flag. “I believe that ‘Polishness’ is under threat,” said one demonstrator, adding: “The Polish government is incompetent.”
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk denounced the act of aggression against the Russian embassy and Polish policemen guarding it. He partially placed responsibility for the disorder on his main political opponent, chairman of the Law and Justice Party Jaroslaw Kaczynski, according to RIA Novosti. Tusk added that he is ashamed that the unrest should happen November 11, a day when all Poles should demonstrate pride in their country.
Police made several arrests. Five officers were taken to hospital, according to local media.
