December 22
Anti-government MP's are transmitting live using smarphones from the main plenary hall of the Sejm, Polish parliament, which is occupied by them since December 16. The lights and heating are off.
Photo shot by Civic Platform MP
December 21
The evening of waiting in the Sejm
December 21
Empty display of vintage parliamentary ceremonial truncheons at the Sejm Polish parliament, the necessary insignia to hold the Sejm sitting. These were removed by Law & Justice led authorities during Parliamentary crisis so that the opposition could not hold the alternative sittings if they wanted.
December 20:
Elderly woman stands near the grocery shop looking at the freshly erected fence guarding the Sejm, Polish parliament building, due to anti government demonstrations that are held every day.
December 20
Pro (left) and anti goverment (right) adversaries discuss by the Sejm, Polish parliament, when pro and anti government demonstrations met.
January 10
Tomek Wilkowski is entering a caravan where he and his friends take a nap at free moments. The police van stands by. He is a member of "Obywatele RP" opposition group ("Citizens of Polish Republic"). They are staying 24 hours, 7 days a week by the Sejm (Polish parliament) to demonstrate their support of MP's occupying Sejm.
December 17
Ryszard Petru, centre, leader of Nowoczesna, during demonstration of KOD and opposition parties in defence of free media
December 17
Elderly woman enquires the policeman blocking the road during demonstration of KOD (Commitee to Defend Democracy)
December 17
Woman holds a sign saying "Kaczynski - A liar" referring to Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Law & Justice head and the effective ruler of Poland.
Demonstration of KOD (Commitee to Defend Democracy)
December 17, 2016
Woman resting during late night demonstration of the opposition parties and KOD by the Sejm
December 17
Demonstration of KOD (Commitee to Defend Democracy) and opposition parties
December 17, 2016:
Young man singing Polish national anthem during demonstration of KOD and opposition parties
December 24, 2016
On Christmas eve, a traditional meat jelly dish was given as a present to the MP's occupying at the parliament. It has a writing made with carrots which says "Sejm belongs to us".
Photo shot by "Modern" party MP
December 17, 2016
Late night demonstration of the oposition parties and KOD by the Sejm
December 21, 2016
Writings on the riot fence by the Sejm. "Fence of the disgrace of PiS (ruling Law & Justice party)"
December 20, 2016
Riot police gathering by the Sejm, during anti government demonstration.
December 24, 2016
Christmas eve at the street by the Sejm. Supporter sharing a herring sandwich with opposition MP Michal Szczerba.
December 24, 2016
Opposition supporter is sleeping on the street by the Sejm
December 31
New Year's Eve. Anti-government demonstrators are spending it on the street by the Sejm.
December 24, 2016
Opposition MP Ryszard Petru is returning to Sejm (Polish parliament) after visiting supporters outside on Christmas eve.
December 21, 2016
Polish members of parliament from opposition parties PO (Civic Platform) and Nowoczesna (Modern) are posing behind the closed doors leading to plenary hall of the Sejm - a no go zone for press.
Parliamentary opposition MP's from two parties; Civic Platform and Modern, occupied the plenary hall of the Sejm, Polish parliament, since December 16, 2016 until January 12, 2017. This was in protest to government's plans to ban most of journalists from covering parliamentary proceedings and against the wrongfully proceeded 2017 budget ruling. Their supporters remained on the street by the parliament 24 hours a day.
Finally the journalist's free access to the parliament was restored. The dubious budget ruling will most probably remain in power.
There was no media access to the plenary hall. However, it turned out to be possible to give them a camera and ask to shoot for us, so a few photos in this story were shot by the opposition MP's.
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