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Polish city marks anniversary of workers’ strike

28.06.2023 22:30
The western Polish city of Poznań has paid tribute to workers who revolted against the country’s communist rulers in 1956, leading to scores of deaths after the army opened fire on civilians.
The western Polish city of Poznań has paid tribute to workers who revolted against the countrys communist rulers in 1956, leading to scores of deaths after the army opened fire on civilians.
The western Polish city of Poznań has paid tribute to workers who revolted against the country’s communist rulers in 1956, leading to scores of deaths after the army opened fire on civilians.Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Commemorations on Wednesday included wreath-laying ceremonies and speeches at memorial sites and monuments honouring those who lost their lives during the brutal crackdown 67 years ago.

Poznań Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak speaks at a ceremony to honour those who lost their lives during the communist-era crackdown. Poznań Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak speaks at a ceremony to honour those who lost their lives during the communist-era crackdown. Photo: PAP/Marek Zakrzewski

On June 28, 1956, workers from the Cegielski engineering plant in Poznań went on strike and marched through the streets to protest against the refusal of the authorities to reduce their work quotas and raise wages.

The march turned into a massive demonstration as the city’s population joined in, with around 100,000 people taking part.

In clashes that lasted two days, riot police and the army opened fire, killing at least 58 people and injuring more than 240 civilians. Several hundred people were wounded and some 700 arrested, according to Polish state news agency PAP.

The Poznań revolt of 1956 began a long tide of Polish workers’ strikes such as protests on the Baltic coast in December 1970 and the rise of the Solidarity movement in 1980.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP