The regional governor of Poland's Mazovia province has given the green light for an anti-immigration protest in Warsaw on Saturday, overruling a decision by city authorities in the Polish capital.

Refugees and migrants, mostly from Syria, wait in line outside a registration camp near Gevgelija, Macedonia, 11 September 2015. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

As a result of the decision, two ideologically opposed demonstrations are now set to take place, with one led by far-right nationalist organisation the National-Radical Camp (ONR), and the other, which is pro-immigration, being organised by the Bread and Salt (Chlebem i Solą) initiative.

It has been estimated that as many as 40,000 people may take part in the anti-immigration protest, which is due to start at 4:00 pm local time, on Defilad Square. Protestors will then march down several of the city's major thoroughfares.

The other demonstration, which is being held under the slogan of 'Refugees are Welcome', also begins at 4:00 pm, beneath the city's Statue of Nicolaus Copernicus. By Thursday afternoon, 12,000 people had declared that they would be attending on the initiative's Facebook page.

Parallel 'Refugees are Welcome' demonstrations will also be held in the cities of Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Białystok and Szczecin.

Meanwhile, warnings have been issued about the possibility of disorder.

The US Embassy has advised its citizens “to avoid the areas of these demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any demonstrations or protests.”

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz spoke in favour on taking in refugees on Friday, confirming that there will be an extraordinary session of parliament on the matter on 16 September. (nh/rk)

Source: onet.pl