Grzegorz Braun reportedly wrote anti-gay slogans on boards displaying images from pride events
Polish presidential candidate Grzegorz Braun has vandalized an LGBTQ exhibition the southern city of Opole by spray-painting slogans opposing “gay propaganda.” according to local media.
Braun, who is a member of the European Parliament, arrived at Opole’s main square on Tuesday with black paint and sprayed “Stop pervert propaganda” across panels depicting the activities of local LGBTQ groups, a video posted on social media showed.
The exhibit was part of a campaign titled ‘There’s more of us! Provoke equality with us’ and featured LGBTQ-themed content, including photos from Opole’s pride marches along with personal accounts from regional gay residents.
Police officers at the scene documented the incident without intervening and informed Braun of the potential legal consequences of property damage. The organizers of the display from the local Teczowe Opole (‘Rainbow Opole’) association are reportedly considering legal action against the politician and may seek compensation for vandalism.
Braun is known for his far-right views, opposing Poland’s integration with the EU, feminism, and LGBTQ propaganda.
The lawmaker also condemned Poland’s alignment with the administration of former US President Joe Biden in sending aid to Ukraine. Last year, he criticized then-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s support for Kiev, stating: “Blinken, go home as soon as possible. Get lost! We don’t want you here. We don’t want Polish people paying and dying for your wars.”
Braun was recently barred from the European Parliament for six months after disrupting a minute of silence in January for the victims of the Holocaust, Polish media reported.
The lawmaker reportedly shouted several times: “Pray for the victims of the Jewish genocide in Gaza.” The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, ordered Braun to be excluded from the session and escorted out of the chamber by guards.
“Madam President is punishing me for asking for prayers for the victims of the Jewish genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” Braun said in a video.
Braun is running in Poland’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for May 18. Recent opinion polls, however, suggest his support is less than 2%.
