Demonstrators gathered across Poland on August 9 to protest rising violence and discrimination against Ukrainians and other minorities.
Key facts
- •Demonstrations occurred in 22 cities on August 9, organized by the Committee for the Defense of Democracy.
- •A petition with over 11,000 signatures was submitted to the Polish government on August 7.
- •Police reported 180 hate crimes against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026, a 30% increase from the prior year.
- •A July 26 assault on a Ukrainian couple in Wroclaw served as a catalyst for the recent protests.
- •Diplomatic relations have deteriorated following Ukraine's naming of a military unit after the UPA.
Demonstrators rallied in 22 cities across Poland on August 9 to protest a surge in violence and discrimination against Ukrainians. Organized by the Committee for the Defense of Democracy, the protests took place in cities including Warsaw, Krakow, Lublin, and Wroclaw. Participants aimed to show solidarity with victims of physical and verbal assaults, which have increased amid strained diplomatic relations between Poland and Ukraine.
By the numbers
Protest goals and actions
The campaign, titled "Don't Be Indifferent," encouraged participants to place stickers on local businesses to signal that Ukrainians are safe and welcome. This follows a separate demonstration in Warsaw on August 7, where organizers presented a petition signed by over 11,000 people to the government demanding action against discrimination.
Context of rising tensions
The protests were prompted by a series of incidents, including a July 26 assault on a Ukrainian couple in Wroclaw that police believe was motivated by the victims' nationality. Official data shows police received 180 reports of hate crimes against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026, marking a 30% increase over the previous year. Tensions have been exacerbated by a diplomatic dispute over Ukraine's decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, a group associated with the mass killing of Poles during World War II.
Timeline
- July 26A Ukrainian couple was assaulted in Wroclaw in an incident police linked to their nationality.
- August 7Protesters in Warsaw submitted a petition with over 11,000 signatures to the government.
- August 9Demonstrations against hate crimes took place in 22 cities across Poland.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Kyiv Independent.
