In response to Poland’s ban on abortion, people rallied in front of the Polish Embassy in London, lighting candles and chanting in a show of mass solidarity with everyone, who have been out in the Polish streets taking part in ongoing daily protests. On Friday night while we were showing our support in London, Warsaw saw the biggest demonstration since the Solidarity movement of the 1980s. Poland already has the strictest abortion law in Europe, which the ruling party wants now to take even further. An extra outrage is caused by the government’s efforts to introduce the new restrictions undemocratically, fast tracking them via Constitutional Tribunal, which recently appointed members are all the Government’s cronies. Those people not only aren’t impartial but also aren’t qualified judges and make decisions based on their personal and religious believes.
Women and their supporters are demanding reverting the oppressive and dangerous changes in law. People are also calling for the right wing government to step down and are demanding a secular state.
The London protest was intense and inspiring. Despite the fact that there were many creative and playful chants and placards, the message sent to the Polish government was clear and serious - don’t mess with us and respect women’s rights.
