Warsaw. The president paid tribute to the victims of martial law

On the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law, a ceremony “For the Victims of Martial Law. Light the Light of Freedom” was held under the papal cross on Piłsudski Square. President Andrzej Duda was present and lit candles.

“To the victims of martial law. Light the Light of Freedom” – as part of this ceremony on the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law, at Piłsudski Square under the papal cross commemorating the mass celebrated by John Paul II in June 1979, President Andrzej Duda and the president of the Institute of National Remembrance, Dr. Karol Nawrocki lit candles. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, Solidarity activists from the 1980s and scouts.

The “For the Victims of Martial Law. Light the Light of Freedom” celebrations refer to the gesture of solidarity made by crowds of the inhabitants of the free world towards Poles living under martial law on Christmas Eve 1981. US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II called for placing symbolic lights in the windows. In his Christmas message, the US president said: “Let the flame of millions of candles in American homes be a testimony that the light of freedom cannot be extinguished.” That winter, candles were lit in the window of the White House and in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Poles in the country similarly expressed their opposition to the brutal policy 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 suppressed by force by the authorities of the Polish People's Republic – Poznań 1956, student protests in 1968, bloodily suppressed strikes in Tricity in 1970, Radom 1976 and 1980, when strikes across the country resulted in the establishment of the Independent Self-Governing Union Professional “Solidarity”.

– Today is the 43rd anniversary of the open war that the communist regime led by General Jaruzelski declared on Polish society. The 43rd anniversary of national betrayal, which was the introduction of martial law in Poland in violation of all rules, not only of decency, but above all of the communist constitution of the Polish People's Republic. The 43rd anniversary of the extension of the agony of the power imposed by the Soviet Union, the power that enslaved Poles for over 40 years – said the president.

Celebrations at Piłsudski Square

The President recalled at least 122 victims of martial law, including miners from the Wujek mine, Grzegorz Przemyk and Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko and thanked the representatives of the Institute of National Remembrance for preparing this ceremony once again.

– Today we are here to honor the memory of all the victims of martial law by lighting these candles, commemorating that wonderful gesture made by people all over the world for us, Poles. A candle lit on Christmas Eve by Saint John Paul II in the Vatican, a candle lit by the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, a candle lit in thousands of homes around the world – Andrzej Duda emphasized.

The president also viewed the outdoor exhibition “Solidarity with Poles” placed next to the papal cross. The exhibition will be presented at Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square from December 13, 2024 to January 31, 2025.

Police and army patrols appeared on the streets of the cities

On the night of December 12-13, 1981, martial law was introduced in Poland. Police and army patrols, tanks, armored personnel carriers and combat vehicles appeared on the city streets. Official censorship of correspondence and telephone communications was introduced. The most important institutions and workplaces were also militarized and the structures of NSZZ “Solidarność” and other associations were dissolved.

The authorities of the Polish People's Republic pacified 40 of the 199 factories striking in December 1981. The most tragic action took place in the Wujek mine, where the intervening ZOMO officers used weapons. Nine miners died. As a result of martial law, over 100 people died and over 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 Wojciech Jaruzelski's junta were in force until 1989.