“Today we are facing problems with migrants, but that’s nothing compared to what we’ll see if we don’t resist” – said Robert Bąkiewicz from the Border Defense Movement in a social media video, responding to attacks coming from government officials.
The Border Defense Movement was formed in response to numerous cases of illegal migration from Germany. Its members regularly patrol the German border and carry out citizens’ arrests of illegal migrants. In return, they face public hostility – particularly from those in power.
“In recent days, we’ve seen an intense wave of attacks against the Border Defense Movement – against those defending our borders and opposing Germany’s migration policy,” Bąkiewicz, the group’s leader, said in the video.
Commenting on Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s announcement of border controls, Bąkiewicz remarked: “These controls will be what they’re meant to be – a PR stunt intended to have an impact – but nothing will change in the actual approach to the issue.” And he had a point – the Podlaskie Voivode, Jacek Brzozowski, has already admitted that border checks with Lithuania will be… selective.
Following Donald Tusk’s statement in which he referred to the group as radicals and spoke of “militias,” a full-blown hate campaign was unleashed against them.
“Politicians of the ruling party have joined this campaign,” Bąkiewicz noted, naming Radosław Sikorski, Adam Szłapka, and columnist Tomasz Terlikowski.
“This is all about building a narrative designed to desensitize the public to potential attacks on border defenders. The goal is to dismantle and destroy us,” he continued, adding: “There is absolutely no basis to claim that we committed any crime or abuse.”
“Today we are facing problems with migrants, but that’s nothing compared to what we’ll see if we don’t resist,” Bąkiewicz concluded.
Background: Justice Minister Adam Bodnar has warned activists from the Border Defense Movement that they must prepare for action from the prosecutor’s office under his authority. The reason?
“Where a person without authorization assumes the role of a state official or undermines their dignity or safety, they must expect consequences,” he wrote on platform X, announcing that the prosecution has already taken over two investigations from the Border Guard concerning incidents on the western border.
“The cases are being pursued under suspicions of unauthorized execution of public official duties, as well as of insulting and encouraging, via the Internet (platform X), the disclosure of personal data of Border Guard officers. Polish officers are guaranteed state protection,” he emphasized.