The Contribution of the „Solidarity of California” to the Fight for a Free and Independent Poland (1984-1991)

Abstract

On 4th July 1984 the ‘‘Solidarity of Los Angeles” was established, after two years it spread all over the whole state, and changed its name into the ‘‘Solidarity of California”. It worked within the confines of the local Congress of Polonia and was directed by a six-person board with Chairman Mieczysław Dutkowski at its lead. The following local branches were subordinate to the organization: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Central California, Sacramento and San Francisco. Rev. Leon Juchniewicz was its chaplain, the late Rev. Jerzy Popiełuszko, murdered by the Secret Police, was chosen to be its patron. Everybody who turned eighteen, supported the ideals of "Solidarity” and paid membership fee could become its member. It was a small organization but very active, numbering in the beginning more than a hundred active members, and after 1986 more than two hundred. The organization's press organ, the monthly "Polonia Informative Bulletin of Solidarity. Solidarity of California” was distributed all over the state. The ‘‘Solidarity of California” quickly joined the international Solidarity movement, became a member of the Conference on the Solidarity of the World Organization (CSSO), an organization that numbers about 40 groups. In 1988 it organized the international convention of "Solidarity” CSSO in Los Angeles. Many activists of "Solidarity” arrived, among others, from Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela. The chairman of the "Solidarity of California” took part in similar conventions in Canada, Sweden, and the United States. The main goal of the organization was to fight against communism and terror in Poland by supporting the NSZZ "Solidarity” [the Independent Trade Union Solidarity] at home, spreading information on behalf of a free and independent Poland among the American society. It supported the persecuted activists, gave financial and charitable aid to Poles at home in cooperation with the "Solidarity” and the Congress, supplied the Electorial Fund of the "Solidarity” and the Fund of Self-governmental Elections (87.000 dollars), presented medical equipment to Polish hospitals (which cost 2.000.000 dollars). On 1st March 1990 the chairman issued a letter to American President George Bush with a request to invite representatives of Poland to talks about the unification of Germany. A particular form of information and propaganda among the American society was an event called "Run for Free World” organized in the years 1988-1990. The event gathered 400-500 runners each year, mostly Americans, and was intended to express solidarity with the countries of Middle and East Europe, now under the process of freeing themselves from the communist authorities, and propagate the banners of freedom, independence, democracy, and human dignity. Chairman M. Dutkowski played a special role in all the above endeavors.