On December 16, 1981, under orders from the military junta led by General Wojciech Jaruzelski, Polish security forces violently suppressed a strike at the “Wujek” coal mine in Katowice, killing nine miners. The miners had organized a sit-in protest against the imposition of martial law and the arrest of their union leader, Jan Ludwiczak. This brutal crackdown remains one of the most tragic and unresolved crimes of Poland’s martial law era.
Defiance Under Martial Law: The Wujek Mine Strike Begins
The strike began on December 14, 1981, just a day after martial law was declared. As protests erupted in key industrial centres across the country, including the Wujek mine, the communist regime viewed the miners’ defiance as a major threat to its authority. In response, the regime deployed significant security forces, including riot police (ZOMO), Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and tanks, to crush the resistance. The strike at Wujek drew nearly 1,000 miners, determined to defend their workplace and oppose the government’s oppressive measures.
Tragedy at Wujek Mine: A Symbol of Resistance and Sacrifice Under Martial Law
On December 16, the situation escalated dramatically. After initial attempts to disperse the miners using tear gas, water cannons, and batons failed, heavily armed riot police stormed the mine. Tanks broke through the walls of the facility, and ZOMO special units opened fire on the miners. The violence resulted in six deaths on the spot, with three others succumbing to injuries in the following weeks. Despite the assault, the miners refused to surrender their position, demonstrating extraordinary courage in the face of state-sponsored brutality.
The pacification of the Wujek mine remains a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by Polish workers during the struggle against the communist regime. The killings have yet to be fully accounted for, and the events continue to evoke painful memories of the repression faced under martial law. The anniversary of this tragedy serves as a reminder of the miners’ resistance and the ongoing quest for justice.