Poland: Activists plan mass protests in central Warsaw and along border with Belarus Nov. 20

Event

Several activist groups plan to stage a large demonstration in central Warsaw Nov. 20 as a show of solidarity with migrants currently trapped in Belarus along the border with Poland. Participants will gather at 14:00 on Plac Unii Lubelskiej (Union of Lublin Square), before marching through the city center. Pro-migrant activists are currently holding daily vigils from 17:30-18:30 at the Sejm (Parliament) building and related protests are possible in other urban centers nationwide in the coming weeks.

In addition, pro-migrant activists from around Poland are planning to demonstrate along the Belarusian border Nov. 20; however, organizers have as yet announced no details concerning specific locations or times. Localized disruptions on roads in the border area are possible near any such rallies that may materialize.

Police will likely deploy in the vicinity of any protests and could introduce localized security restrictions, including road closures, if protests are particularly well attended. Although most protests will probably occur without incident, isolated clashes between police and demonstrators cannot be ruled out. Counterprotests denouncing illegal immigration are also possible, and confrontations could occur if rival groups of activists come in close proximity to each other.

Advice

Allow additional time for travel in central Warsaw on the afternoon of Nov. 20. Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation.