Poland: Anti-government demonstration after anti-LGBT remarks by President Duda

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Poles demonstrate against government after anti-LGBT remarks by President Duda in Warsaw, June 20, 2020. Jedrzej Nowicki / Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS

Text by: RFI Follow

One week before the first round of the presidential election, it is difficult to predict who could win. The mayor of Warsaw, candidate of the main opposition party, is playing fair in the polls with the outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, more and more contested. As proof, this rally in Warsaw on Saturday June 20, under an evocative slogan: "Get out".

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With our correspondent in Warsaw, Thomas Giraudeau

About 450 protesters gathered to shout their anger and called for the resignation of the president and the government. Bad weather means, the umbrellas are open this Saturday afternoon, many in rainbow colors. Already targeted throughout the past year, LGBT people are attacked again, this time by the Polish president. During a meeting, he declared that "  they are not people, but an ideology more destructive than communism  ".

Adriana Wilpa, in her forties, is tired of this foul atmosphere. “  We are very angry. He's our president, he should pay attention to all Poles, regardless of their gender identity. And there he says that LGBT people are not people! Where are we, in the 19th century or in 2020? "

A small rainbow flag in his hands, Camilla Janka notices a growing hatred towards homosexual people. "  It is the fault of the government. LGBT people have become their enemies. Especially because President Douda's main competitor is rather gay-friendly. So attacking them is a way of targeting him.  "

As mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski signed a charter for LGBT people. Since then, this commitment has been criticized by the authorities, who see it as an attack on the traditional family. At the edge of the procession, Ela Hodowicz came with her 10 year old daughter. "  She made this sign all by herself. And above it says, "ENOUGH!" We've had enough of this president! He shames our country. And these words are criminal.  "

A priori, Andrzej Duda does not risk any sanction for these words. Homophobia does not exist in Polish law.

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  • Poland
  • Andrzej Duda
  • LGBT +

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