Published time: November 11, 2014 16:03
Edited time: November 11, 2014 16:39
Edited time: November 11, 2014 16:39
Many of the marchers carried the Polish flag, while flares and firecrackers were also let off. Tens of thousands are believed to be taking part in the rally. The march was attended by extremist nationalist groups, such as the Radical Camp and the All-Polish Youth. Marches through the city’s capital have taken place every year since 2008 and have often led to clashes between rival political organizations.
URGENT: Violence at nationalists march in Warsaw - Rocks, water
cannon, firecrackers http://t.co/tqMXdkYOHB #Polandpic.twitter.com/ihNtWbqOc2
— RT (@RT_com) November
11, 2014
For the fourth
consecutive year the procession turned violent, with a group
breaking away as they crossed a bridge over the Vistula river and
reached the eastern bank, near the Polish national football
stadium.
Video: #Poland's
Independence Day and "happy" celebrations in Warsaw. Unrest
turns into riots http://t.co/fqfi93NZfe pic.twitter.com/7vxCXjNc1f
— Anna Zamejc (@stell7) November
11, 2014
According to Reuters,
they tore up paving slabs and benches from a nearby bus station
and started to throw them at police, who were dressed in riot
gear. Law enforcement officers responded by approaching the
rioters a used a water cannon truck to push the marches back onto
the bridge in the direction they had come.
Nationalists march on Independence Day in #Warsaw,
#Polandhttp://t.co/yt1RwTY20R@RT_compic.twitter.com/V7Bm7GTbrg
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) November
11, 2014
In November 2013, police
had to use rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse a crowd of
violent Polish nationalist demonstrators
during an Independence Day march in Warsaw, who pelted the
Russian embassy with firecrackers and bottles.
Thousands of Polish nationalists march in Warsaw to mark
Poland's National Independence Day. Riot police ready ->
pic.twitter.com/giRHg4SnIw
— Emmanuelle (@_esaliba) November
11, 2014
Officers in riot gear formed a cordon around the building, as
young shaven-headed demonstrators waving red-and-white flags
tried to push through. The crowd shouted slogans directed against
Russia, Poland’s eastern neighbor, which the demonstrators blamed
for World War II atrocities and occupation during the Soviet era.
Poland's foreign ministry criticized the action, saying "there is no justification for hooliganism."
National Independence Day has been celebrated since November 11, 1918, when the country gained independence after being partitioned between Russia, Prussia and the Hapsburg Empire.
