Nottingham pro-choice supporters hold protest against Polish government

Over three hundred people gathered in Old Market Square to show support for all women in Poland fighting for their rights.

In recent days, solidarity protests have been organized in many cities around the world, including Nottingham.

The manifestation that took place on Saturday, October 31 lasted for two hours.

People gathered in Old Market Square at 5:30pm, where organisers and protesters arranged speeches and shared their abortion experiences.

Aleksandra Malecka, 26, who is a student at NTU and also an organiser of the event, said: “We want to show solidarity to our girls in Poland who are fighting bravely and show that we also fight as much as we can and we will not give up”.

(left to right) Aleksandra and her friend, Katarzyna, at the protest on Saturday. (Image: *Lilia* Hadj Said)

Between the speeches, music was played, the lyrics of which said: “F*** the ruling party” (from Polish Jebać PiS).

At the end of the event, there was a minute of silence with flashlights and lighters floating in the air as a sign of support.

One of the protesters, Michal Nowak, a 20-year-old NTU student, shared his reasons for coming to the protest.

He said: “I came here to show solidarity with all the people protesting now in Poland.

Michal supports women’s right to choose. (Image: *Lilia* Hadj Said)

“I’m here, because I can’t imagine my younger sister or mom living in such a country, where women would be deprived of human rights.”

Politicians such as MPs Nadia Whittome and Lilien Greenwood showed support by sending words of encouragement to the protesters.

Last week, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruled that abortion because due to fetal defects is unconstitutional and illegal.

This was in response to Polish government’s controversial decision. (Credit: Lilia Hadj Said)

Hundreds of thousands of citizens in Poland have been protesting every day since then.

One of the organisers, a 30-year-old communication manager, Katarzyna Kotlarska, explained the motivation behind these protests.

The protest was organized by Aleksandra Malecka, Katarzyna Kotlarska, Katarzyna Darska, Aleksandra Stefańska, Łukasz Wysocki and Daniel Dziedziński in support to Polish women’s rights.