On August 31, an Equality March will take place in Częstochowa, coinciding with the Jasna Góra Harvest Festival. Organized by Stowarzyszenie Demokratyczna RP and other LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, the march is expected to draw around 200 participants. According to Jolanta Urbańska, the march seeks acceptance and rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, despite facing criticism from local religious groups.
Religious Leaders Express Concern
Dr. Artur Dąbrowski, president of the Catholic Action of the Częstochowa Archdiocese, has voiced strong opposition to the march, labeling it a provocation. He argues that organizing such an event near the sacred site of Jasna Góra, particularly during the pilgrimage peak and the 640th anniversary of the Black Madonna, is both disrespectful and inflammatory.
The city administration, led by a left-leaning council, approved the march but altered its route to avoid conflicts with the religious celebrations. However, Mayor Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk declined to sponsor the event, citing concerns about politicization. This decision has disappointed LGBTQ+ activists, who see it as a missed opportunity to promote equality.
Counter-Protests and Prayer Initiatives
In response, the Catholic Action group has organized a prayer event titled “Broń Królowej” to coincide with the march, aiming to “protect” the sanctity of Jasna Góra. The group plans to peacefully protest what they view as the “cultural Marxism” behind the Equality March, hoping to prevent what they see as a desecration of their sacred site.