A Polish court has upheld a decision by Toruń’s mayor to shut down an anti-abortion demonstration over the display of a graphic image of a fetus, sparking backlash from activists who claim their free speech rights have been trampled.
For years, a Catholic group has held a public prayer event on the 15th of each month, opposing abortion and calling for Poland’s moral renewal. But in February, their demonstration in Toruń’s Old Town Square was abruptly halted when local authorities ordered them to remove a banner featuring an 11-week-old fetus. When organizers refused, city officials shut down the entire gathering.
Mayor Paweł Gulewski, a supporter of center-left Prime Minister Donald Tusk, defended the move, arguing that while free speech is important, it must align with legal standards and respect public dignity. “Public spaces should ensure a sense of security and comfort for all residents and visitors,” he said, insisting that drastic or shocking images have no place in public discourse.
The protest’s organizer, Agnieszka Szumilas-Hermanowicz, a former parliamentary candidate for the right-wing Confederation party, challenged the decision in court, with legal backing from the conservative think tank Ordo Iuris. They argued that the protest was peaceful and legal and that the mayor simply disliked the banner’s message.
However, on March 14, the Toruń district court sided with the city, citing laws against “indecent” public displays. Judge Andrzej Westphal even referenced the Catholic Catechism in his ruling, though he did not clarify why the image of a fetus was considered disrespectful.
Gulewski welcomed the ruling, saying he expects future protests to comply with “social norms and applicable laws.” He maintained that while Toruń values dialogue and diverse opinions, the manner in which views are expressed must adhere to legal restrictions.
Szumilas-Hermanowicz blasted the court’s decision as “scandalous,” accusing officials of violating constitutional rights to free speech and religious expression. She vowed to appeal, arguing that the government is using legal loopholes to silence pro-life voices.
