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Crowds Gather Around Alfie Evans Vigil In Poland As Toddler's Battle Gains International Support

Crowds Gather Around Alfie Evans Vigil In Poland As Toddler's Battle Gains International Support

A large crowd gathered for a peaceful protest in Krakow - as family discuss taking the 23-month-old home

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Support for Alfie Evans is growing by the day, with Poland being the latest country to get behind the family.

This video shows dozens of people from a 'Let's save Alfie Krakow' group holding a vigil for the seriously ill toddler.

The supporters gathered outside a building in the city where they left teddy bears, flowers and banners on the floor and walls.

The words 'Save Alfie Evans' were written out on pieces of paper and placed at the front.

A large crowd also held posters in the peaceful protest, as reported by the Mirror Online.

Blue balloons were hung up on lampposts and several candles were also lit for the 23-month-old, who is still breathing three days after having his life-support withdrawn.

Facebook/Alfies Army Official

Poland's demonstration in Krakow comes as several members of the Polish community gathered outside Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, where Alfie is currently being cared for.

The Polish president, Andrzej Duda, had tweeted earlier that the seriously ill toddler 'must be saved'.

Twitter

The demonstrations come as Alfie's parents challenged a High Court judge's decision to fly the toddler to Rome, an appeal which was rejected yesterday.

Alfie's parents, Tom Evans and Kate James, wanted to fly the toddler to Italy after the removal of his life-support.

According to the Express, the Pope had put a military helicopter on standby to rush Alfie to hospital in Rome. This comes after he was granted Italian citizenship.

During the hearing, where further care was rejected, Sir Andrew McFarlane, who is one of the highest-ranking family court judges in the UK, headed a panel of three judges at the London-based court.

Vigil in Poland.
Facebook/Polska

He said: "This is awful for everyone concerned.

"We are in the middle of palliative care plan at Alder Hey Hospital. I can see no basis that judge was wrong."

The judges were told during the hearing that Alfie was 'struggling' since being removed from life support on Monday evening.

Lord Justice McFarlane pointed out during the hearing that 'the only determining factor is the best interests' of the little boy, adding: "What rights others have, particularly the parents, falls into a subsidiary category."

Alfie, who has an undiagnosed degenerative brain condition, had his ventilator removed on Monday night following a series of court rulings upholding the decision that continued life support was not in his best interests.

According to the BBC, Alfie's parents will meet with doctors later today to discuss taking him home.

Tom Evans said he will meet with doctors and 'we now start asking to go home'.

Speaking outside Alder Hey Hospital, Mr Evans said: "We got rejected yesterday to go to Italy unfortunately. We could take it further but would that be the right thing to do, would there be more criticism?"

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Polska

Topics: Alfie Evans, World News, UK News, News, UK, Italy, court, Poland