Police in Warsaw detained 37 people during a Friday protest against the tightening of Poland's abortion law, authorities in the capital said Saturday.
Warsaw authorities estimated the crowd swelled to about 100,000 participants at a time when anti-COVID-19 regulations ban gatherings larger than five. The protesters started from various points in the city, converged on a downtown roundabout and walked to the house of right-wing ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski.
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Police in Warsaw detained 37 people during a Friday protest against the tightening of Poland's abortion law, authorities in the capital said Saturday.
“There was aggressive behavior on the part of soccer pseudo-fans (soccer hooligans) and also between the two sides, that’s why police prevention units took action,” Marczak said. He described the overall protest as “very peaceful considering the number of participants.”
The court preserved the provisions of Poland's abortion law, one of Europe's strictest, that permit abortions when a pregnancy threatens a woman's health or results from rape or incest.
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. The sign reads: "My Body My Business." (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
They were attacked by far-right groups with firecrackers, but police contained the confrontation, Warsaw police spokesman Sylwester Marczak said.
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
“There was aggressive behavior on the part of soccer pseudo-fans (soccer hooligans) and also between the two sides, that’s why police prevention units took action,” Marczak said. He described the overall protest as “very peaceful considering the number of participants.”
Noisy but disciplined marches were also held in other cities. More protests are planned next week.
Demonstrators voicing anger at Poland's conservative government and Catholic Church have assembled every day since the country's constitutional court ruled Oct. 22 to outlaw the abortion of fetuses with congenital defects.
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
The court preserved the provisions of Poland's abortion law, one of Europe's strictest, that permit abortions when a pregnancy threatens a woman's health or results from rape or incest.
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. The sign reads: "My Body My Business." (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)
Young people take part in a massive protest against the conservative government on the eighth straight day of angry demonstrations that were triggered by a recent tightening of the abortion law, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoCzarek Sokolowski)