As reported by wPolityce.pl, the person responsible for defacing the monument to Saint John Paul II is Paweł Walenia, a student at Lodz University of Technology and an activist within LGBT+ circles. He has been involved with groups such as the Youth Climate Strike and has participated in events with leading politicians in the Civic Coalition. In the weeks before the incident, he appeared on TVN24.
With Trzaskowski on TVN24
Walenia is known for sharing articles about LGBT+ issues and is also recognized by viewers of TVN24 as a Youth Climate Strike advocate. A student from Lodz University of Technology who painted the JPII statue red appeared on Radomir Witt’s program Kampania #BezKitu with Warsaw’s mayor Rafał Trzaskowski on March 17, 2023. During the show, the activist addressed the mayor directly.
In a correspondence to Minister Ziobro, Walenia inquired about the city’s emissions-related priorities, asking why there were no measures addressing climate issues significant to Warsaw.
The photograph pairing Paweł Walenia with Rafał Trzaskowski drew attention, highlighting a notable intersection of youth activism and political dialogue.
“What about Bełchatów?”
Walenia’s meetings with prominent opposition figures were not limited to a single event. He introduced himself as a representative of the Youth Climate Strike and voiced support for strong climate action. He cited the stance of international climate assessments on the need for deeper changes and the urgency conveyed by COP27 projections about rising temperatures. That month, he joined discussions calling for a robust examination of climate reports.
During a February 28, 2023 gathering with Donald Tusk and local youth in Łódź, he pressed questions about emissions and energy priorities, including Bełchatów, a major open-pit lignite mine described as highly polluting. In response, the PO leader framed COP27 and prior summits as exercises in global solidarity, diplomacy, and, at times, financial strategy to encourage broader climate cooperation.
“Explorer and everything safe!”
It emerged that Walenia has also been active in the Polish Scouting Association. Descriptions portray him as a scout, sailor, and guardian of younger scouts, with ties to the ship Zawisza Czarny. In parallel with his activist role in the Youth Climate Strike, he has appeared on TVN24, asking questions to political figures and discussing civic engagement. The incident at the JPII statue remains a focal point of debate.
Observers note that scouts are typically associated with community service and civic involvement, though the actions in Łódź drew sharp scrutiny. By October 2020, TVN24 had highlighted Walenia’s earlier contributions as a scout and volunteer during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, including aiding seniors in need.
Support from neighbors and local authorities is a value commonly cited in community life. In a media interview, Walenia spoke about this emphasis on collective care and local support. His overall profile—described by some as a young man with clear advocacy for social causes—has sparked discussion about how personal beliefs intersect with public action.
Walenia’s public image has included both activism and controversy, a fact noted by TVN24 and other outlets. Commentary in the periodical landscape suggested a clash between his advocacy work and the symbolism associated with the monument he targeted.
The discussion around the individual who dismantled or damaged the John Paul II statue continues to be reported by various outlets. The narrative frames him as an activist connected to LGBT+ causes and climate advocacy, with broader implications for how youth activism is perceived in public spaces.
Source: TVN24; wPolityce.pl