On July 6, 1998, the Roma Information and Counseling Center in Łódź was attacked by a group of individuals linked to the neo-fascist National Rebirth of Poland (NOP). The act reflected the growing boldness of far-right movements openly expressing hatred toward minorities in post-communist Poland.
Hate on the walls of a community institution
Roma Advice and Information Centre in Łódź was vandalized by individuals linked to the far-right National Rebirth of Poland (NOP). The building was covered with racist graffiti, including “Death to Gypsies” and “Gypsies to the gas,” all signed “NOP.” The attack was carried out just two streets from the perpetrators’ headquarters, highlighting the sense of impunity with which such groups operated. No immediate arrests followed, reinforcing concerns about the authorities’ slow response to rising extremist violence. The incident soon became a symbol of the growing boldness of far-right movements in late-1990s Poland and of the increasingly hostile climate faced by the Roma community across the country.
“Right-wingers attack Roma and the law shows no interest in following up such racially motivated crimes. One is increasingly led to believe that the legal system, police and extremist nationalists are somehow working together for a ‘Gypsy-free Poland.”
Andrzej Wiśniewski
chairman of the Roma Information and Counseling Center