Tens of thousands marched through the Polish capital Tuesday with many carrying the national flag, while flares and firecrackers were also let off. The march was attended by extremist nationalist groups, such as the Radical Camp and the All-Polish Youth.
Marches through the city's capital have taken place every year since 2008 and have often led to clashes between rival political organizations.
For the fourth consecutive year the procession turned violent, with a group breaking away as they crossed a bridge over the Vistula river and reached the eastern bank, near the Polish national football stadium.
Video: #Poland's Independence Day and "happy" celebrations in Warsaw. Unrest turns into riots http://t.co/fqfi93NZfe pic.twitter.com/7vxCXjNc1fAccording to Reuters, they tore up paving slabs and benches from a nearby bus station and started to throw them at police, who were dressed in riot gear.
- Anna Zamejc (@stell7) November 11, 2014
Law enforcement officers responded by approaching the rioters and using a water cannon truck to push the marches back onto the bridge in the direction they had come. Some outlets report rubber bullets and tear gas was deployed.
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