The activity of security agencies and law enforcement as forms of preventive interference with the freedom of speech

Abstract

The paper demonstrates (by means of description and analysis) that the following activities of the law enforcement organs exemplify the limitation of the freedom of speech: (1) removal of the tent of the Solidarni 2010 movement from Krakowskie Przedmieście in Warsaw; (2) the erection of safety barriers in front of a group of people praying before a cross standing in front of the Chancellery of the President of Poland; (3) the Internal Security Agency entering the apartment of a student who designed the Antykomor.pl website, publishing negative opinions about the way the incumbent Polish President is exercising his office; (4) the removal by the Speaker of the Senate of part of an exhibition about the Smoleñsk catastrophe presented in the Parliament building; (5) arresting two young men and taking them to the police station to be questioned for holding a banner reading “It’s time for Antykomor. Freedom of speech is unhealthy;” (6) imposing fines of PLN 500.00 (roughly equivalent to EUR 125) on football fans demonstrating in front of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister with a banner reading “Donald, you moron, football fans will topple your government;” (7) checking the IDs of people laying flowers in Krakowskie Przedmieście to commemorate the anniversary of the Smoleñsk catastrophe; and (8) the Municipal Guard blocking the way, in order to prevent members of the Polish parliament from attending a celebration commemorating the Smoleñsk catastrophe.