Gdansk, Warsaw, police in the 1970 uprising, The demonstrations occured on the second anniversary of the formation the Gdansk interfactory strike committee the precursor of Solidarnosc itself. people were arrested.
Monday police carried out widespread ralas against underground newspapers and Solidarnosc leaders operating clandestinity. The Solidarleaders have called nation-wide demonstrations, leafletting, slogan painting and other acts of resistance to take place on 31 August - LAST FRIDAY saw widespread rioting against martial law in many Polish towns - including Cracow and Wrockaw. Ten thousand workers marched in the demonstration in Gdansk, which after placing a wreath at the monument to those who were killed by the marched to the headquarters of the Communist Party. In both Gdansk and Warsaw the demonstrators were repeatedly charged by baton-wielding police who fired tear gas and attacked them with water cannons. The workers demanded an end to martial law and the release of Lech Walesa.
the anniversary Gdansk agreement.
Friday's HOL were followed up by peaceful demonstrations both Saturday and Sunday in Warsaw's Victory Square, where Solidarnosc banners were unfurled.
The demonstrations on the second anniversary 1 of the formation of Solidarnosc in themselves consulules a aereal TOr regime and a victory for Solidarnosc. Nine months after the imposition of marial law the regime had hoped that the country was returning to normali'Release Lech Walesa say Polish workers ty. Over the past six weeks something in the order 1400 Solidarnosc activists have been released from jail. The bureaucrats hoped that these concessions' would add moou ol apalny ana acceptance among the Polish The events over last weekend show Polish workers continue to resist martial law, that the underground leadership remains intact and that support Solidarnosc remains strong The memorv ot a movement of ten million workers cannot expunged Dy vulcal cratic diktat But the fact remains that 31 August will con stitute a much bigger test strength between Solidarnosc and the authorities. the underground resistance is incapable of mobilising a significant number of people in the streets it will constitute a victory for the Jaruzelski leadership Jaruzelski hopes that, aid ed by the Catholic hierarchy, the bureaucrats can convincent overwnet. ing majority that further resistance to martial law is useless and that Solidarnosc has gone for ever There is no doubt that the overwhelming majority of Polish workers continue suppor Solidarnosc stood for, and want the end of martial law. But support for Solidarnosc the same thing as coming onto the streets. If Solidarnoso callllui mobilise tens. of thousands on 31 August inen subport wil dwindle. Either way, there are still major clashed to come.