News / Poland
Protest takes place in solidarity with Polish women
Hundreds of protesters in Bristol took a stand against a near-total ban on abortion brought in by Poland’s Constitutional Court at the end of October.
The city’s Polish community, supported by local friends and activists, marched from the Polish Roman Catholic Church of our Lady of Ostrobrama on Cheltenham Road to College Green.
Protesters chanted: ”I think, I feel, I decide”, and ”My body, my choice”. Some, dressed as the oppressed women from The Handmaid’s Tale, held up banners with slogans declaring: ”We are standing up for Polish women’s rights” and ”Human rights for Polish women”.
is needed now More than ever
Gathering outside City Hall on Sunday afternoon, activists spoke to the crowds about the current situation in Poland.
”We organised this protest to show support and solidarity with Polish women who are affected by the recent change to the Polish abortion law,” said Ania, the coordinator of the protest, who asked that Bristol24/7 only use her first name.
”The protest started outside of the Polish Church, because we want to highlight the influence of the Polish Catholic Church on Poland’s right-wing government.”
Some protesters wore the costumes of characters from The Handmaid’s Tale. Photo by Katarzyna Sowińska
Following the changes to the constitution, abortion will be outlawed even in cases where a foetus is diagnosed with serious birth defects. Until now, abortion in Poland has been allowed in three cases: if there was a foetal defect, if the pregnancy was a result of rape, and if mother’s health or life was endangered.
Protests in Poland – the biggest for decades – have spread across the whole country and are ongoing.
Nationalist counter-protesters have attacked pro-choice protesters in Poland after the leader of the ruling party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, called on people to “defend their Catholic faith”.
Counter-protesters were present at the Bristol protest, but stood in silence on the pavement opposite the Polish Church. The police were present to ensure that no violence broke out between the two sides.
Bristol’s Polish community was joined by local supporters, activists, and members of the LGBT+ community who also say they are discriminated against by the Polish government. Photo by Katarzyna Sowińska
”I want to say massive thank you to all people in Poland who bravely went out to the streets after our pseudo-tribunal announced a disgusting near-total abortion ban,” said one of the Polish activists to people who gathered around.
”You are all great, strong and amazing human beings. Thank you for being there and for your outstanding fight.”
Members of the LGBT+ community also joined protests, in Poland and in Bristol.
”I decided to come to this protest as a fellow human being,” said one man, who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s not just my right but an actual obligation to be here.”
“I have joined all of you today because I can’t let my sisters, female friends, and female colleagues ever walk alone. The (Polish) government offers us non-heteronormative people nothing but systemic oppression. We are here to fight for your cause – or rather, our cause.”
Main photo by Katarzyna Sowińska
Read more: Lantern parade shines a light on Knowle West
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
