Polish community in Cambridge continue abortion law protests

The Polish community in Cambridge is staging its second protest as a wave of mass national and international outrage follows the Polish Constitutional Court’s ruling that effectively bans abortion in the country.

Protests have taken place in 650 towns and cities in Poland.

“At least 14 per cent of the population took part in at least one protest,” says a spokesperson for the group. “In the framework of the Global Manifesto of Solidarity you can show your support for Polish women.

“On 13 December a general strike will take place in Poland. This date has a special meaning for all Polish people. On this day, almost 40 years ago, the communist government in Poland imposed martial law with the aim of suppressing the activists of the trade union Solidarnosc. This history is now repeating itself. Today, the populist power apparatus of the Law and Justice Party sends the police to brutally combat the protests of the Women’s Strike.

“We, the Polish community in Cambridge, will demonstrate our solidarity with the Polish people in Poland on Sunday, 13 December, at 2pm on Parker’s Piece. The protest is part of the Global Solidarity Manifesto across borders in support of the general strike that will take place in Poland on the same day. We invite you to join us and show your solidarity with our brothers and sisters. This is a legal gathering and will be following governmental safety measures as advised by the local police and public health city council.

The international Polish community has shown solidarity with All-Poland Women’s Strike movement, actively opposing the anti-abortion ruling and other policies of the Polish government that violate human rights. The community wants to “demonstrate our support to Polish women fighting for their fundamental rights, including their reproductive rights and abortion rights”.