Heavy police presence ready for Independence Day marches

Groups get ready for marches: photo - PAP/Tomasz Gzell

The official "Together for Independent" march is being co-organized by the Veterans' Affairs Office and the Office of the President Bronislaw Komorowski.

Two rival demonstrations will also be taking place: one organised by nationalist All-Polish Youth and National Radical Camp, and another by a a coalition of anti-fascist groups.

Other smaller marches - around 10 in total, such as by a pro-monarchist group - will also be criss-crossing the capital on Sunday, necessitating a huge police presence to control the demonstrations and keep them apart.

“Each of the organizers have declared the peaceful conduct of their assemblies and have been willing to cooperate,” says Ewa Gawor from the Warsaw Council security office.

“I take that at face value, but in my opinion this is not the end of [concerns] for having a quiet day, especially if you read what is on internet forums,” she added, signalling that the authorities are preparing for trouble after last year's Independence day marches turned into running battles with 40 police officers injured and 29 demonstrators treated in hospitals.

The main march organized by the President's Office will begin at 13.30 CET and Ewa Gawor said they are expecting around 10,000 people to take part.

The nationalist 'March of Independence” is expecting up to 50,000 demonstrators and will be centred around the Dmowski Roundabout in central Warsaw.

A group of German 'anarchists', who were involved in the fighting last year will not be attending, say social network sites. (pg)