Thousands of citizens, including members of the Gazeta Polska Clubs, the Solidarity trade union, and the Border Defense Movement, gathered today in front of the National Prosecutor’s Office on Postępu Street in Warsaw, where a demonstration in defense of free speech was taking place. “This may be where the great march toward victory begins,” MP Michał Wójcik told the crowd.
The National Prosecutor’s Office summoned Tomasz Sakiewicz, CEO of TV Republika, to testify as a witness in a case concerning, among others, Zbigniew Ziobro. However, prosecutors have openly stated that they do not rule out the possibility of bringing charges against Sakiewicz.
From early this morning, thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the prosecutor’s office to express support for Sakiewicz and for freedom of speech. Among them were representatives of the Gazeta PolskaClubs, the Border Defense Movement, Solidarity, and members of parliament.
Before noon, Postępu Street, where the headquarters of the National Prosecutor’s Office is located, was filled with a sea of white-and-red Polish flags.
Speaking to TV Republika, demonstrators said they were there in defense of sovereignty, independence, freedom of speech, and the media.
“This is where the great march toward victory begins”
After Sakiewicz entered the building, politicians attending the demonstration began addressing the crowd. Speakers included Przemysław Czarnek, Michał Wójcik, Dorota Arciszewska-Mielewczyk, Antoni Macierewicz, and Janusz Kowalski, as well as social activists including Adam Borowski, Robert Bąkiewicz, Tomasz Obszański, and Ryszard Majdzik.
“This may be where the great march toward victory begins. We must show Tusk that the nation says ‘no,’”
Wójcik told those gathered.
Macierewicz argued that “this is the beginning of a movement for true independence.”
“Your presence here today in defense of an important representative of the media marks the beginning of a movement for great independence. Today, we are launching the largest protest movement aimed at restoring independence. Your presence represents the presence of the entire nation, which will continue to gather today, in the coming days, and in the weeks ahead. We must reject the structure that is destroying Poland,”
he said.
“A great community of white-and-red hearts”
“I am deeply impressed by the extraordinary mobilization of patriots from the Gazeta Polska Clubs. I spoke today with many people. Today, there is a great community of white-and-red hearts gathered here in defense of freedom, because what is happening to editor-in-chief Sakiewicz, an exceptionally courageous journalist, could happen to anyone. Not only on the national level, but in every county, there may be a citizen who steps on the toes of a local Civic Coalition boss, and then the entire machinery of lawlessness could be unleashed against them. I am here as an MP, as a citizen, and as a reader of Gazeta Polska,”
MP Maciej Małecki told journalists from TV Republika.
At 12:00 p.m., a large Solidarność demonstration titled “Together for Poland and Poles” is set to begin from Castle Square in Warsaw.
