Protests regarding illegal migration took place not only in Poland today. As it turns out, the German party “Volt Europa” decided to organize its own demonstrations-on the very same day-in 9 different locations. Their demand? Exactly the opposite: a call for “open borders.”
On the Polish-German border, despite border checks reinstated by the Polish government, illegal migrants are still being transferred. This process is carried out with the involvement of the German police, who send groups of foreigners into Poland. At the border, they are received by Polish Border Guard officers and later… placed in various locations throughout the country.
On the ground, citizen patrols of the Border Defense Movement are still active-civilians who continue to hold authorities and law enforcement accountable. This, in turn, is disliked by the December 13 Coalition (the current ruling alliance), whose politicians repeatedly lash out at Polish patriots. Terms like “thugs” and “fascists” are among the insults hurled at them.
A similar narrative dominates many German media headlines. German society appears unhappy with the fact that neighboring nations refuse to bear the consequences of their government’s misguided migration policies.
Protests in Germany Too—but With a Twist
It turns out, however, that on this very same day, protests also took place… in Germany. But for a completely opposite cause. “Let’s fight for a united Europe without borders!”-this was the rallying cry.
The demonstrations against measures restricting the unlawful transfer of illegal migrants were organized by the German party Volt Europa. While the party does not explicitly label itself “left-wing,” its platform contains demands that clearly place it in the center-left of the political spectrum.
Interestingly, these protests were held in as many as nine locations-including Frankfurt (Oder), right on the border with Poland.
According to Volt Europa’s website, the remaining locations included: Basel, Schengen, Aachen, Gronau, Bad Nieuweschans, Flensburg, Schmilka, and Salzburg. As can be seen, these are mainly border towns-either adjacent to neighboring countries or situated directly along Germany’s national borders.
Borders Divide. Volt Unites.
“This Saturday, July 19, we are marching through nine cities to say loudly and clearly: a united, free Europe needs open borders.”
– read the message posted two days ago by the strongly pro-European German party.