Warsaw’s Independence Day Celebration Hampered by Violence Damage

Warsaw authorities say that more than 50 police officers were injured and material losses reached an equivalent of some 21,000 euros ($26,000) due to hooligan violence during Independence Day celebrations.

In recent years police have been attacked with pavement tiles, stones and explosives during nationalist marches held on Nov. 11, the anniversary of Poland regaining its independence after World War I.

The head of Warsaw’s security forces, Ewa Gawor, said Wednesday that some 270 people were detained, while material damage totaled some 90,000 zlotys after Tuesday’s march.

There was no major violence during a separate march led by Poland’s President Bronislaw Komorowski.

City authorities have refused to ban the nationalist march, citing regulations, while legislation intended to curb the hooligans is stalled in parliament.