Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski has ignited outrage in Poland by enacting a policy aimed at promoting “equal treatment standards” within the capital’s public offices. This directive prohibits the display of crosses and other religious symbols within government buildings, as well as on employees’ desks.
During a top-tier football match between Legia Warsaw and Zagłębie Lubin on Saturday, fans of the Warsaw team displayed a banner targeting Trzaskowski, reading “Trzaskowski, hands off the cross.”
This protest reflects a broader dissent among conservative politicians and Polish citizens, who argue that the cross is not only a religious symbol but also an integral part of Polish identity.
The new policy has sparked a heated debate over the secular nature of the state, with opponents arguing that such moves strip away cultural symbols under the guise of neutrality, while supporters claim it is essential to maintain a secular workspace.
The left has particularly strong views on this, advocating for strict separation of church and state.
Internationally, the issue has caught the attention of the Free Speech Union, which discussed the matter extensively. A post on the social media platform X quoted the organization and criticized Poland for adopting “extremely woke” practices.
Elon Musk, owner of the platform X, commented on the situation, saying that Poland is “shamelessly copying stupid things from America,” adding, “How embarrassing.”
