Half a million march against draconian new law in Poland

Colombo (News 1st) - More than half a million people marched in anti-government protests in Poland on Sunday to voice their anger against the ruling party's attempts to pass a new law that would give the government sweeping powers to arrest political opponents and stifle the freedoms of citizens and the media, foreign media reported.

Legendary trade union leader Lech Walesa, the country's first post-independence President, and former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Donald Tusk joined protesters who had traveled from across the country to the capital Warsaw on the 34th anniversary of the country's first post-democratic election, to protest against the ruling hardline Law and Justice Party.

Large crowds also gathered in other major cities across the country carrying banners that demanded a 'Free European Poland', to protest against a right-wing government that has been accused of eroding fundamental rights and violating the constitution. Poland is a member of the European Union.

The government has denied the accusations and repeatedly said it is simply acting to protest 'Christian values'. The new law has been criticized by human rights groups and also the U.S. government and the EU.

Poland is due for parliamentary elections later this year and the government has been criticized for high inflation, and eroding the rights of women and the LGBTIQ community.