Dear All,
I'm already at home. But today, another border has been crossed.
While I was doing my job, photographing a protest in front of the Ministry of Education, I was attacked by a police officer (only because when I was taking the photo, I flashed the lamp in his face), and then, despite showing my press ID, I was brutally thrown into a police van, where they were trying to tell me that I was the aggressor. I was then taken to the police station at Wilcza, where I was acc...used of assaulting a policeman. They tried to "convince" me to plead guilty.
I absolutely reject the charges brought against me.
I want to thank @Strajk Kobiet and everyone who gathered in front of the police station at Wilcza Street in the act of solidarity with me and other detainees. The truth is, not only I as a photoreporter (I know I am the privileged one), but no one who has been protesting peacefully should have been and should ever be detained. Violence commonly used by the police in the recent weeks is unacceptable. We will not accept being threatened!
I wholeheartedly support @Strajk Kobiet and every single person who has been taking to the streets over the last few weeks protesting against the limiting the access to abortion for women* and non-binary people. 27 years is definitely 27 years too long! Girls*, together we are stronger! We won’t give up! Guys*, thank you for your support!
I want to thank the @ratsagency team and all the other photojournalists and reporters, Beata Łyżwa Sokół @cwiczeniazpatrzenia - head of the photo department at Gazeta Wyborcza, and Vanessa Gera from the @apnews .
I would also like to thank Members of Parliament - Barbara Nowacka @barbaranowacka , Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska @mkblonska , Anna-Maria Żukowska @anna_maria_zukowska , Michał Szczerba @michal.szczerba and Cezary Tomczyk @cezarytomczyk for contacting with my partner Aleksandra Szymczyk @aleks_szy and for their support and willingness to help. I would also like to thank Izabela Świerczyńska - a lawyer representing me. I am also grateful to all my friends and colleagues. You are great!
Thank you that today I didn’t have to walk alone.
