Starcia z ZOMO 2/2 - Anti Communist Demonstration in Poland 1981 re-enactment Part 2
2,194 views · Published 18 December 2011 · 9:44 · Indexed 2 October 2026
Channel: Alan Heath · 2011 · Travel & Events
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alan-Heaths-History-Page/173472422695696 http://www.ceepackaging.com twitter : @ceepackaging https://www.facebook.com/pages/CEE-Packaging/135108923181666 Here we can see a reenactment to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the declaration of martial law on 13 December 1981 of communist era demonstration which is violently broken up by the para military police ZOMO and the communist police (milicja obywatelska). I also talk of my analysis and recollections. I was not in Poland on 13 December 1981 and my recollections are from how martial law was applied in Gdańśk and Gdynia and southern Poland in 1982. The Polish economy grew in the early 1970s and living standards improved but began to fall again towards the end of the 1970s. Shortages of basic items such as sugar (of which Poland today is one of the largest producers in Europe) and 20 year waiting lists for flats led to protests and strikes which led to the Gdańsk accords of 31 August 1980. A brief period of relative freedom followed in which the authorities attempted to punish the population by restricting food and basic essentials still further. At the same time as food was rationed in Poland, Polish goods could be bought without problem abroad. Claiming the danger of a Soviet invasion similar to those that occured in 1956 and 1968 in Hungary and Czechoslovakia a 'military national salvation committee' was founded which took power. Already limited civil rights were suspended, the working week increased, thousands were arrested. Around 100 people were killed in riots and when the paramilitary opened fire on strikers However some essentials were released onto the market giving the impression that the communist repression was working. The free trade union Solidarity was suspended and made illegal on 8 October 1982. Martial law was suspended on 31 December 1982 and lifted on 22 July 1983. Few of the communists responsible for the terror have been punished. There are still arguments concerning the Soviet threat and the danger of war. I do not believe that there was the risk of a Soviet invasion in December 1981, I think Jaruzelski wanted more power at hand. Nonetheless half the population of Poland believe that there was a risk of attack. In June 1989 there were partially free elections in Poland which were permitted by the communist authorities. That summer the communists lost their majority as some of them went over to the opposition. The hand over to democracy was peaceful and this needs to be remembered when condemning Jaruzelski and his government.
