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Podcast: Witness History
Episode: Poland's bleak Christmas
Description: In 1981, the communist government of Poland declared martial law in an attempt to suppress rising protests and strikes.The civil unrest had been sparked by Solidarity, a trade union which became a social movement. Tanks and soldiers appeared on the street, Solidarity members were rounded up, and TV and radio stations shut down.For a devoutly Catholic country – Christmas was a sacred time, but under martial law there would be very little to celebrate this festive season.Johnny I’Anson hears from Solidarity member and activist Maciek Romejko about a bleak Chri...