"People protesting in the Sejm are being intimidated", said Iwona Hartwich from the Protest Committee of Parents of Disabled People. She pleaded to the government for a compromise and announced that a demonstration of support in front of the Sejm building has been scheduled on 25 May.
"Deliberate move"
Protesters said at a press conference today that two disabled persons, Jakub and Adrian cannot leave the Sejm building because they were banned to do so.
The two claim that they were punished for meeting with the head of the "Polish Humanitarian Action", Janina Ochojska who was refused entry to the parliament building on Wednesday.
They also said two disabled girls, Magda and Wiktoria are still allowed to go outside.
"We think that it’s a deliberate move because we always talk about what is happening here, about what we’re fighting for and unfortunately, the girls can't," said one of the protesters.
Intimidation and plea
Ms Hartwich said that "the protester are being intimidated". She added that "the chief of the prime ministers office, Michał Dworczyk told the media that the protesters are going to be hidden from sight behind some curtains".
"Our proposal goes even further, we have friends who will bring bricks and cement; maybe we should brick the disabled people up alive right here in the Sejm," she said.
"After 30 days of protest, we plead with all our might to the government representatives for compromise, please come forward with some proposal so we can find a way to reach the 500 zloty benefit.
Please don’t excuse yourself with the argument that there is no money for that," said Ms Hartwich.
Demonstration during NATO summit
She also announced that from Friday on the protesters will display a banner in English. "We’re preparing together with the government to welcome the NATO summit," said Iwona Hartwich.
The Spring Session of NATO Parliamentary Assembly will be held between 25 and 28 May in Warsaw. Few hundred MPs from NATO member-states will come to the Polish capital, together with delegates from affiliated countries and observers. Both houses of the Polish parliament, the Sejm and the Senate will be venues of international, parliamentary debate on the challenges and dangers to global security.
"On 25 May there will be a grand protest in front of the Sejm, parents with disabled children will come from all over Poland. Same thing on 26 May, on Mothers Day there will be a huge demonstration of support for our cause. We’re asking the government not to let all this to happen," said Iwona Hartwich.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24, PAP