Thousands of Poles took to the streets in 22 cities on August 9 to protest a rise in hate crimes and violence against Ukrainians. The demonstrations were organized by the Committee for the Defense of Democracy, an NGO promoting civil society and human rights.
The protests highlight growing social tensions in Poland related to the treatment of Ukrainian refugees and minorities, exacerbated by diplomatic friction between the two nations. This indicates a potential challenge for social cohesion and international relations.
Demonstrations took place in over 20 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 rallies aimed to show solidarity with victims and signal that Ukrainians are welcome.
Participants distributed stickers with the slogan "Don't Be Indifferent" to be placed on businesses, indicating safe spaces. The protests followed a similar rally on August 7 in Warsaw, where a petition signed by over 11,000 people demanding government action against discrimination was submitted.
One of the key incidents that fueled the demonstrations was the brutal assault of a Ukrainian couple in Wroclaw on July 26, which police believe was motivated by their nationality. According to Rzeczpospolita newspaper, Polish police received 180 reports of hate crimes against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026, marking a more than 30% increase compared to the previous year. This rise in animosity coincides with polls indicating a majority of Poles hold negative views toward Ukraine and are less supportive of welcoming Ukrainian refugees.
The deteriorating diplomatic relations between Poland and Ukraine, particularly concerning historical interpretations of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), have contributed to the increased tensions.