The President paid tribute to the victims of the martial law
Source: TVN24
On the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law, the ceremony “For the victims of martial law” was held in Pilsudsky Square under the Pope's cross. Light the light of freedom” was held. President Andrzej Duda was present and lit a candle.
“To the victims of martial law. Light the light of freedom” – in the framework of the ceremony on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law, in Pilsudski Square under the papal cross on the occasion of the commemoration ceremony by John Paul II in June 1979, President Andrzej Duda and the president of the Institute of National Remembrance Dr. Karol Nawrocki lit a candle. Representatives of the diplomatic corps, “Solidarity” activists from the 80s and scouts took part in the ceremony.
The commemoration “For the victims of martial law. Light the light of freedom” refers to the solidarity of the masses of the inhabitants of the free world towards the Poles who are under a state of war on the eve of Christmas 1981. US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II called for symbolic lights to be placed in the windows. The President of the United States said in his Christmas message: “Let the flame of millions of candles in American homes testify that the light of freedom cannot be extinguished.” That winter, candles were lit in the White House window and in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Poles in this country also opposed the brutal policies of the communist authorities.
At least 122 victims
In his speech, President Duda recalled the Soviet repressions in the first years after the end of World War II and subsequent workers' protests that were violently suppressed by the authorities of the People's Republic of Poland – Poznań 1956, student protests in 1968, bloody strikes. Trikiti in 1970, Radom in 1976 and 1980, when there was a strike in the whole country, the Independent Union of Self-Government was established. Professional “Solidarity”.
– Today is the 43rd anniversary of the open war declared by the communist regime led by General Jaruzelski on Polish society. The 43rd anniversary of the national betrayal, which was the introduction of martial law in Poland against all the rules of not only etiquette, but above all the communist constitution of the People's Republic of Poland. “The 43rd anniversary of the prolongation of the power imposed by the Soviet Union, the power that enslaved the Poles for 40 years,” said the president.
Celebrations on Pilsudsky Square
Celebrations on Pilsudsky Square
Source: AP/Marcin Obara
Celebrations on Pilsudsky Square
Source: AP/Marcin Obara
Celebrations on Pilsudsky Square
Source: AP/Marcin Obara
Celebrations on Pilsudsky Square
Source: AP/Marcin Obara
The President named at least 122 victims of martial law, including the miners of the Wujek mine, Grzegorz Przemyk and Fr. Jerzy Popielushko once again thanked the representatives of the National Memorial Institute for preparing this ceremony.
– Today we are here to protect the memory of all the victims of the martial law by lighting these candles, to remember the wonderful movement of people from all over the world for us, the Poles. The candle lit on Christmas Eve by St. John Paul II in the Vatican, the candle lit by the President of the United States Ronald Reagan, the candle lit in thousands of homes around the world – emphasized Andrzej Duda.
The President also visited the outdoor exhibition “Solidarity with the Poles”, which was placed in front of the Pope's cross. The exhibition will be on display at Marshal Jozef Pilsudski Square from December 13, 2024 to January 31, 2025.
Police and army guards appeared on the streets of the cities
On the night of December 12-13, 1981, martial law was imposed in Poland. Police and army guards, tanks, armored personnel carriers and military vehicles appeared on the streets of the city. Official censorship of correspondence and telephone communication was introduced. The most important institutions and workplaces were also militarized, and the structures of NSZZ “Solidarnosch” and other unions were disbanded.
The authorities of the People's Republic of Poland calmed down 40 of the 199 enterprises that were on strike in December 1981. The most tragic act took place in the Vujek mine, where ZOMO intervention officers used weapons. 9 miners died. As a result of the military situation, more than 100 people were killed, and more than 10,000 people were arrested or interned.
Martial law was suspended on December 31, 1982 and canceled on July 22, 1983. Many legal regulations introduced by the Wojciech Jaruzelski junta were in force until 1989.
Author/Author: mg /jas
Source: PAP
Main photo credit: AP/Marcin Obara
