Poland: Nationwide women's rights protest scheduled to be held on October 28

Event

Women's rights activists are continuing nationwide protests throughout Poland on Wednesday, October 28. The protests are being held to condemn a recent court ruling resulting in a near-total ban on abortion in the country. Activists are calling on women in the civil service, education, and business to strike on Wednesday, in addition to the protests. Rallies are scheduled to take place throughout Poland including in Lublin, where participants are set to gather at 17:00 (local time) at Lokietka Square before marching through the city center. A demonstration is also scheduled to take place in Warsaw at 18:00 at the University of Warsaw and in Wroclaw from 19:00 in Wolnosci Square. Additional demonstrations should also be anticipated.

Related protests have taken place in cities across Poland in recent days, including Poznan, Krakow, and Lodz, among other locations. The protests have taken place despite government restrictions banning gatherings of more than five people, as a measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

A heightened police presence at protests sites is to be expected, with disruptions to transportation and business likely.

Advice

Those in Poland are advised to monitor the situation, minimize time spent in the vicinity of demonstrations, anticipate a heightened police presence and localized disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.