Thousands of people in Poland took to the streets to protest the country passing a near-total ban on abortion. Protestors have taken to the street for the third night in a row after the near-total ban came into effect on Wednesday. Thousands of women and men braved sub-zero temperatures and broke coronavirus protocol in Warsaw and other parts of the country as they came out to protest the government’s controversial judgement. The protesters were seen holding rainbow flags and the red lightning symbol, representing the Women’s Strike, the main organisation behind the protests.
Several protestors also wore a green handkerchief around their necks, a symbol of abortion rights activists in Argentina, where abortion was legalised last month. Protesters were chanting slogans like You've messed with women," "Hey, hey, hey, abortion is ok.”
As per the verdict, all abortion is illegal, except for in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s life or health is considered to be under risk due to the pregnancy. Poland is predominantly Catholic and has one of the most restrictive laws on abortion in Europe. As per the ruling, abortion of foetuses diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome is also be halted.
On Thursday, several protesters were arrested after they breached the perimeter of the constitutional court, where the law was passed. The protestors were also faced with tear gas as the police in Warsaw attempted to disperse them.
Women’s groups have estimated that over 200,000 women abort either illegal or abroad and about 2000 legal abortions take place each year.
