Behemoth frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski has set up a donation campaign called "Ordo Blasfemia," which he says will be used to cover the legal defences of artists who have been targeted by Poland's blasphemy laws.
"Many Polish artists, including myself, have been dragged into courtrooms, at our own significant costs, to defend ourselves against nonsensical blasphemy laws made by archaic [politicians]," Nergal said in a campaign video.
He continued: "Their intent is to censor anyone who does not conform to the archaic religious laws of our country. The time has come for Polish artists to fight back — join us in the Ordo Blasfemia."
Last week, Darksi has launched a fundraiser at GoFundMe with the goal of raising £20,000. As of press time, he has raised over £5,000.
"Your donation will help fund a sustainable legal challenge to squash the existing and incoming bogus prosecutions," Darski added. "Help us reach the target so we can distribute to other artists facing their own legal challenges."
Back in 2019, Nergal posted a photo of a foot stepping on an image of the Virgin Mary to social media. He was later ordered to pay a fine of 15,000 złoty (about $5,125 CAD) and court costs of almost 3,500 zloty (about $1,196 CAD) stemming from charges of "offending religious feelings."
In 2011, Darski was acquitted in Poland on charges stemming from a 2007 performance in the country, where he called the Catholic Church "the most murderous cult on the planet" and tore up a copy of the Bible, calling it "a book of lies."
Watch his campaign's video announcement below.
"Many Polish artists, including myself, have been dragged into courtrooms, at our own significant costs, to defend ourselves against nonsensical blasphemy laws made by archaic [politicians]," Nergal said in a campaign video.
He continued: "Their intent is to censor anyone who does not conform to the archaic religious laws of our country. The time has come for Polish artists to fight back — join us in the Ordo Blasfemia."
Last week, Darksi has launched a fundraiser at GoFundMe with the goal of raising £20,000. As of press time, he has raised over £5,000.
"Your donation will help fund a sustainable legal challenge to squash the existing and incoming bogus prosecutions," Darski added. "Help us reach the target so we can distribute to other artists facing their own legal challenges."
Back in 2019, Nergal posted a photo of a foot stepping on an image of the Virgin Mary to social media. He was later ordered to pay a fine of 15,000 złoty (about $5,125 CAD) and court costs of almost 3,500 zloty (about $1,196 CAD) stemming from charges of "offending religious feelings."
In 2011, Darski was acquitted in Poland on charges stemming from a 2007 performance in the country, where he called the Catholic Church "the most murderous cult on the planet" and tore up a copy of the Bible, calling it "a book of lies."
Watch his campaign's video announcement below.
