Lukasz Jakubowski, an anti-discrimination coach in Warsaw, highlights the increasing incidents of bullying and violence towards Ukrainian children in Polish schools. Many Ukrainian students face language barriers, resulting in social isolation and verbal abuse from Polish peers. Recently, anti-Ukrainian sentiments have surged, exacerbated by internet hate speech and public figures discrediting Ukraine. With nearly a million Ukrainians fleeing to Poland since February 2022, the rise of physical and verbal attacks, including vandalism linked to nationalist sentiments, reflects a troubling trend in Polish society amidst political tensions over aid to Ukraine.
"In one school that I visit, there are children from Ukraine who are learning Polish and naturally still have difficulty speaking the language. Some of the other children don't want to play with them. They push them away and insult them, putting up a kind of psychological barrier."
"The number of attacks on this group of people has increased drastically over the past three years. Internet hate speech targeting Ukrainians is also on the rise."
"There have even been calls to 'resist' an alleged 'Ukrainian storm' on local government authorities in Poland. A journalist and writer has claimed that Ukraine is a morally degenerate country with which Poland should not do business."
"This act of vandalism is linked to the 'growing anti-Ukrainian attitudes' in Poland, which intensified during the grain dispute with Ukraine."
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