I'll say this, whether there were over 50 000, 100 000, or 500 000, this demo has shown that Polish people are tired of the bull.
Actually - it was a disaster for them. They were claiming 200,000 would show up - for only 50,000 to turn up despite the collective organisation of Radio Maryja, PiS and Solidarity shows that the movement is simply not a viable one in Polish politics. They're trying to put a brave face on it - but it shows how utterly impotent the march actually was.
Bear in mind that the anti-Iraq War protest in London managed 750,000 in a country that doesn't even have double the population.
I just watched TVP info's Bliżej [might be available on the internet in a few days for those who do not have TVP info] and can tell you that there were a lot of people there who were not watchers of TRWAM but still, when asked why they bothered to turn up, said they do not accept the idea that some channels are not given the same privileges as others.
WP - listen. There is no such thing as privileges here - there is one simple, basic issue. TV Trwam were refused a licence, and it is believed that it is due to their financing being dependent on viewer donations. We don't know why, as the decision to release the decision is down to Rydzyk's foundation. They know why they were rejected, but they won't tell us - nor will they open their books to prove that they're financially solid (which is what they claim they are, yet they won't prove it).
It's nothing to do with privileges - you are basically believing what Rydzyk is saying without any proof whatsoever.
Some, not necessarily PiS voters either as they were young people who said they were not Kaczynski fans
There are some people who don't support Kaczynski, especially younger voters who are even more radical and believe that he isn't the answer.
said that if PiS had done 1/5 of what PO has done, the media was kill them, yet PO gets away with it.
PiS did far, far worse during their time in power. For all that PO hasn't been able to do, we remember how PiS abused the State organs (the CBA, TVP, etc) for their own political goals. The whole 4th Republic project failed as they simply didn't use power responsibly.
Many well educated people, professors and also a large amount of young people, so the 'PiS supporters are nothing but a bunch of village idiots and old babcias in mocherowe berety' stereotype is played out.
There might be a handful, but the statistics speak for themselves - the educated vote PO/PSL/RP/SLD, the uneducated - PiS.
If you saw the last march you might note that nothing was smashed up, it was done in a very orderly fashion. In fact it was done so well that even the PiS political opposition praised it [as far as organization goes].
I think the organisers realised, wisely, that if they resorted to violence (although they did - the attack on the Polsat crew was an example) - then they might find themselves under increased scrutiny in the future. But don't forget - this march also had no "patriotic nationalist" involvement too. For all the sins of Radio Maryja, PiS and Solidarity - none of them attract young people who like violence.
Not only that but there were obviously no provokers sent in this time to draw out an aggressive reaction and start a fight. PO forgot?
Sent in? Do you know any anarchist/far left wing groups? I'm friends with a couple - and I assure you that these people will go and fight regardless. They don't need to be 'sent in' - they want to fight far-right extreme nationalists regardless.
(I'm also friends with a couple of hooligans, who openly admit that they like to fight with anarchists)