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For the second night in a row, there have been clashes between police and cross-border traders in the town of Medyka on the border with Ukraine. The traders are protesting against new strict customs regulations which limit the amount of cigarettes one can bring into Poland from Ukraine to just 40.

In eastern Poland, where there is high unemployment, cross-border trade is one of the few ways unemployed people, particularly older women, can make money. Traders have been facing more and more restrictions and repressions since the time a few years prior to Poland's EU accession and in particular after accession.

Last night, about 200 people blocked the border. Police (mostly border police) removed them by force. Those arrested were fine 50 zloties each. Tonight about 100 people returned. Police fired rubber bullets and beat demonstrators, who responded with stones and molotov cocktails. Despite the clashes, only 5 people were arrested.

The traders vow to continue their protests.

Some videos are to be found on the page linked below. The first one isn't intersting. The second one, which I watched live on TV, was CUT. Just prior to the arrest which starts the video, the cops were beating the guy and somebody else with sticks. In the third video, the women are shouting "We Want Bread".

http://www.tvn24.pl/-1,1575668,0,1,policja-wlozyla-kij-w-mrowiskouzyto-b...