Poland Marks 55th Anniversary of ‘Black Thursday’ Crackdown, Remembering 1970 Victims
Poland commemorated the 55th anniversary of “Black Thursday,” the brutal suppression of shipyard worker protests in Gdynia on December 17, 1970, with ceremonies honoring the victims and reflecting on the event’s pivotal role in the rise of the Solidarity movement and the nation’s fight for sovereignty. The anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political repression and the enduring pursuit of freedom and worker’s rights.
Remembering the Events of December 1970
The events of December 1970 unfolded as workers across the Polish coast protested escalating food prices and demanding improved living conditions and wages. In Gdynia, on December 17th, tragedy struck when the army and militia opened fire on shipyard workers near the Gdynia Stocznia railway stop, who were responding to a call from Deputy Prime Minister Stanisław Kociołek to return to work. According to official reports, 18 people died in Gdynia that day, with a total of 45 fatalities and over 1,160 injuries reported along the coast throughout December.
The day is now etched in the national memory, with annual gatherings held at the December 1970 monument near the SKM Gdynia Stocznia station, where the massacre occurred. This year’s commemoration included a Roll Call of Remembrance and an honorary salute.
President Nawrocki Links 1970 to Poland’s Sovereignty
Speaking at the anniversary ceremony, President Karol Nawrocki underscored the significance of the events of December 1970, stating, “If it weren’t for December 1970, there would be no ‘Solidarity’ and, consequently, also our sovereignty and independence.” He drew parallels between the December 1970 protests and the rise of Solidarity in 1981, characterizing both as symbols of opposition to the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR) and a struggle for worker dignity.
Nawrocki also pointed to the shared involvement of Wojciech Jaruzelski, who served as Poland’s Minister of National Defense in 1970, and his subsequent role in the imposition of martial law in 1981. He sharply criticized the attempts by some contemporary political figures to portray Jaruzelski as a man of honor, emphasizing that he bore responsibility for the deaths of the protestors. “December is marked in our national calendar in red letters,” the president stated, “Two Decembers: 1981 and 1970 have so much in common.”
Zbigniew Godlewski: A Symbol of the Tragedy
The memory of 18-year-old Zbigniew Godlewski, a worker at the Gdynia Shipyard Paris Commune, was particularly poignant. His death, captured in a now-iconic photograph of a procession carrying his body on a doorway, became a powerful symbol of the brutality of the crackdown and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom. The image of Godlewski and a bloodied Polish flag remains a haunting reminder of the events of December 1970.
Continued Commemoration and Reflection
Following the morning ceremony at the Monument to the Victims of December 1970, a holy mass was held at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Gdynia, followed by a procession to City Hall. The president concluded his speech with a defiant call for freedom, proclaiming, “Long live free, independent Poland! Down with communism!” The events serve as a solemn reminder of Poland’s turbulent past and the ongoing importance of safeguarding democratic values and honoring the memory of those who fought for them.
