How the Polish state is intimidating their youth climate activists

 Marina Kelava 

 At least five climate activists are reportedly being accused of breaking Environmental law in Poland after participating in the Fridays for Future demonstrations during the European Council summit in December.

Fridays for Future protestor in Poland © Max Zieliński, Greenpeace Polska

“I never thought I would live in a time when young, prosperous people — the future of the nation — are being bullied and hounded at police stations when they should be studying,” said Antoni Pożywiłko, a high school graduate from Poznan, on the Western side of Poland. He is one of several Polish youth climate activists who claim they had been visited by police after participating in the Fridays for Future demonstrations during the European Council summit on the 9th of December.

At least five young activists, all over 18 years, testified they are being accused of breaking Environmental law because they used a megaphone, while other underage activists have been awarded a ‘special guardian’ for ‘the welfare of the children’.

Antoni claims he was asked to go to court as a witness against his 20-year-old friend who wasn’t even informed that there were charges against him.

Fridays for Future protestors in Poland © Max Zieliński, Greenpeace Polska

“I hope this won’t affect my future and plans. I live in constant uncertainty and I am confused because of the lack of information,” said medical student Michał Fornalik.

19-year old Weronika Woźniak who was co-organizing the Krakow walk says she has been summoned to a hearing for an offence under Environmental law but she refused to testify. “I did not plead guilty to the charges because of the absurd use of law to repress activists. Currently, I am waiting for the letter on further proceedings,” said Woźniak.

Activists claim the possible consequences of these accusations could be serious even for those under 18 and could include reform school or limiting their parents’ parental rights. 

“Although I am assured that this kind of punishment will not occur, at this point I begin to doubt it. The whole situation is absurd, dangerous and repressive towards me and local climate activists,” said Kacper Lubiewski from Opole, in the south of the country.

Even without punishment the whole experience is already extremely stressful for both activists and their families, as describes 17-year old Agnieszka Kula from Nowy Sącz who says she was first questioned in the police station and later at home:

“A month later the probation officer showed up at my door unannounced, saying that she was supposed to check if I was demoralized. She made a note that was sent to the family court. This time the judge decided not to pursue the proceedings.”

Fridays for Future protestors in Poland © Max Zieliński, Greenpeace Polska

Since all the cases have been connected with walks for climate during European Council meeting when activists called for an increase in the EU’s 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target, young activists plan to send a letter to foreign embassies in Poland asking for their support.

“We would like to ask you to appeal to the Polish government and pay attention to the attempts to silence young activists whose actions are motivated by the need to ensure a future for themselves, which in the face of the climate crisis, is under question. Activism is not a crime, and in a democratic state, the participation of society in political processes is an unquestionable right of citizens,” they wrote.

Since all the cases have been connected with walks for climate during European Council meeting when activists called for an increase in the EU’s 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target, young activists plan to send a letter to foreign embassies in Poland asking for their support.

“We would like to ask you to appeal to the Polish government and pay attention to the attempts to silence young activists whose actions are motivated by the need to ensure a future for themselves, which in the face of the climate crisis, is under question. Activism is not a crime, and in a democratic state, the participation of society in political processes is an unquestionable right of citizens,” they wrote.

Many Fridays for Future walks have been organized in Europe but activists in Poland have experienced the most intimidation so far. This is happening in a country where one of the world’s largest coal-fired power plants – the Bełchatów power plant – is located and where an estimated 50,000 people die every year due to air pollution

.” I am sure that when attempts are made to silence us, we will not be quiet in the face of an unfolding climate catastrophe as it is our generation who will suffer the most,” concludes Antoni Pożywiłko.

Marina Kelava is a freelance journalist based in Croatia.