Thousands of protesters have gathered in several Polish cities, as right-wing groups rallied against plans
to resettle refugees in Europe while counter-protesters marched in solidarity with those seeking safety.
to resettle refugees in Europe while counter-protesters marched in solidarity with those seeking safety.
Around 10,000 right-wing protesters clutching the national flag assembled on the streets in the capital of Warsaw on Saturday, and chanted slogans including “Today refugees, tomorrow terrorists!“ and ”Poland, free of Islam!“.
Police in riot gear watched over the crowds as some lit flares, however there were no reports of violence.
Miroslaw Kadziela, 24, who was among those at the protest, told an AP reporter: "The refugees are threat to our culture, they will not assimilate with our society."
Right-wing demonstrators gather on a square in the old town of in Warsaw (Image: AFP)
Right-wing demonstrators light fireworks during a protest against refugees in Warsaw (Image: AFP)
Protesters from far right organisations hold a banner which reads, "Stop the Islamization of Europe" during their protest against refugees in Krakow (Image: 
Protesters from far right organisations walk during a protest against refugees in Warsaw, Poland (Image: Reuters)
Elsewhere in Warsaw, a few hundred people at a pro-refugee rally played music and held banners aloft reading “Refugees, Welcome”, with similar rallies being held in Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan and Szczecin.
EU leaders have suggested that Poland should accept 12,000 refugee as part of a proposed quota system. Warsaw has agreed to take in at least 2,000 refugees within two years, but has said it cannot welcome economic migrants.
A PROTESTER HOLDS UP SIGN THAT READS, "SOLIDARITY WITH REFUGEES" DURING A DEMONSTRATION IN WARSAW(IMAGE: REUTERS)
PROTESTERS GATHER IN WARSAW 'WELCOME LOVELY HUMANS' IN WARSAW (IMAGE: AFP)
A PROTESTER HOLDS A PLACARD READING 'REFUGEES WELCOME' IN WARSAW (IMAGE: AFP)
SIGNS READING 'REFUGEES WELCOME' AND 'NO ONE IS ILLEGAL' IN WARSAW (IMAGE AFP)
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Lech Walesa, the leader of the Solidarity freedom movement in the 1980s, recently became the latest politician to pledge to host refugees at his home.
Gniewino, a county near the Baltic Sea coast, has become the first place in the nation to offer to offer jobs to three Syrian families, with parishioners in the western city of Poznan showing support by collecting over 24,000 zlotys (£4,186) to help accommodate refugees.
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