Protest in Płock v. Center for the Integration of Foreigners

On Friday in Płock, about 250 people gathered in front of the delegation of the Marshal's office to protest the creation of the Center for the Integration of Foreigners. The picket was organized by the PiS, and during it signatures were collected for petition to the local authorities demanding the resignation of the establishment of the facility.

"Not for migrants in Płock" – emotions during demonstration

The manifesto was opened by PiS MP Wioletta Kulpa from the Palco-Ciechanów district, who chanted: "Not for migrants in Płock. Poland is here’. She besides read a petition addressed to the marshal of the Mazovia region of Adam Struzik and president Płock Andrzej Nowakowski, which expressed opposition to the creation of the Center for the Integration of Foreigners.

– This petition is an expression of our opposition at this point due to the fact that we are opposed to the location of the integration centre in Płock and the location of migrants. The Centres for the Integration of Foreigners is not only the place for their training, not only learning the Polish language, but besides for their living, either in Płock or in the area, and we do not want that. said Kulpa.

"Poland is not a hotel" – slogans and demands of protesters

Among the participants of the picket, mainly mediate and older, there were banners with slogans specified as: “Poland is not a hotel”, "Won for Oder", “Płock is not a colony of Brussels”. 1 of the demonstrators suggested that another protest be held under the City Hall at the end of April, erstwhile the councillors will be sitting.

The event was besides attended by PiS MPs – Maciej Małecki and Janusz Kowalski – and activist Robert Bąkiewicz, co-founder of the informal Border Defence Movement. In his speech, Bąkiewicz emphasized:

– Today we must firmly say to ourselves that we are going to war, due to the fact that this is simply a war for freedom, peace, the safety of our families, the safety of our women, wives, mothers and daughters.

Mr Kowalski called for a referendum to be held on president Plock's appeal if the authorities did not quit the creation of the centre. Mr Malecki, in turn, stated:

– If we agree to a migration pact, if we do not halt it, Poles will not host Poland, Poles will only be tenants. There's no consent..

The Centres for the Integration of Foreigners is an initiative aimed at supporting immigrants in adaptation to life in Poland. 49 specified facilities are to be established throughout the country, including in erstwhile provincial cities specified as Płock, Ciechanów, Ostrołęka, Siedlce or Radom. In Płock the centre is to operate at Tumska Street, in a place connecting the city center with its oldest part.

President Płocka Andrzej Nowakowski explained during the February press conference that the facility should be "information and services point, not centre for foreigners or illegal immigrants". Its task will be to aid legalize your stay, learn Polish and organize adaptation courses.

EU migration pact – what does it mean for Poland?

The migration pact, approved by EU ministers in May 2024, aims to spread work for managing migration among all associate States. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary voted against it.

European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert recalled in March that the pact would enter into force in mid-2026 and would be binding on all EU countries. In the absence of implementation, the Commission may take "appropriate action".

The Polish government has repeatedly declared that it does not intend to implement the provisions of the migration pact. Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a gathering with the European Commission's Head Ursula von der Leyen in February stated:

– Poland will not implement the migration pact in a way that would origin additional amounts of migrants in Poland.

On 11 March, the European Commission proposed fresh rules for returning migrants to complete the migration pact. The aim is to make a common strategy for the return of illegal persons residing in the EU.

What about the protests in Płock?

Protesters announce further action, including further demonstrations and the collection of signatures. The dispute around the Centre for the Integration of Foreigners in Płock is part of a wider debate on migration and EU policy, which inactive creates utmost emotions in Poland.

— Robert Bąkiewicz (@RBAkiewicz) April 4, 2025