“If there’s one core value and message that stands out from the Republican tradition, it is the defense of freedom. Let us rise in defense of that freedom. Let this conference carry a special message about freedom of speech. Freedom always ultimately wins. Let’s give it everything we’ve got,” said Tomasz Sakiewicz, Head of TV Republika, during the opening of the CPAC conference in Poland.
CPAC in Poland
The CPAC conference in Jasionka began today shortly after 9:00 AM. It is the first event of its kind in Poland. Tomasz Sakiewicz, Head of TV Republika, delivered the opening remarks.
“Welcome to the first Polish CPAC conference. This is a gathering of people who defend the most important values and truly understand the meaning of democracy and freedom of speech. Many of you have sacrificed much in your lives to protect these values—so that Poland could be free, and so that democracy could flourish here.
What is CPAC, and what is this Republican idea that Matt Schlapp has brought to us? Republicans—Res publica, Rzeczpospolita. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? The common good is the guiding principle that inspired the Founding Fathers of American independence. Let us build a nation and a state together—one that belongs to everyone. But this idea wasn’t new. It had been known for centuries, right here on the banks of the Vistula River, in Podkarpacie, perhaps especially here, because this region symbolizes the blending of many cultures that once made up the First Polish Republic,” he said.
“Kościuszko Left a Testament for Both Nations”
He added, “It is no coincidence that among the Founding Fathers of American independence were Tadeusz Kościuszko and Kazimierz Pułaski. When Kościuszko went to defend American independence, he was really defending something deeply familiar and shared. He understood the meaning of Rzeczpospolita—the commonwealth—the republic. Kazimierz Pułaski shared that same understanding. Today, every American knows Kościuszko as a hero of their independence.
During official ceremonies in the U.S., when the name ‘Kościuszko’ is called, do you know what the response is? ‘Freedom.’ That’s how the American military honors Kościuszko. And on Kazimierz Pułaski Day, October 11th, at West Point, when someone says ‘Pułaski,’ the answer is: ‘Poland.’ These are symbols of both Polish and American independence—symbols that once crossed the ocean and today represent the republican ideal.
When Kościuszko returned to Poland in 1794 to save its independence, George Washington even wanted to send a fleet to help the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the U.S. Navy wasn’t strong enough back then. Luckily, today it is. For both Washington and Kościuszko, the republican idea was a shared one—rooted in freedom and human dignity. Kościuszko also left behind a message in his will for both nations: he wrote that all people in America should be free and dedicated his entire estate to that cause. Just before that, in Poland, he had proclaimed full freedom for all its inhabitants.”
He emphasized, “Interestingly, Kościuszko’s will was fulfilled in the same year—in 1864. After the American Civil War, slavery was abolished in the U.S., and in Poland, influenced by the January Uprising, serfdom was abolished and peasants were freed. A smile from history—across the ocean.”
“Kościuszko’s Legacy Is Shared by Both Nations”
“The ideals of Kościuszko, who once saved George Washington’s life, are shared between our two nations. And what do those ideals tell us? First, that freedom is the highest value. Among republican principles, freedom is one of the fundamental pillars. Second, the dignity and identity of the individual—the right to be oneself.”
According to Sakiewicz, “It is vital that we continue to emphasize this, because today Western civilization is facing an attempt to steal that freedom.”
“They Tried to Steal Freedom in the U.S.—They Failed”
“There was an attempt to steal freedom in the United States—but it failed. Donald Trump’s victory disrupted efforts to impose censorship and helped defend freedom. In Europe, many left-wing governments are trying to hold on to power by introducing censorship. Today, defending freedom is our most important mission. The foundation of all freedoms is freedom of speech. Religious freedom is built upon it—you cannot believe in God if you don’t have the freedom to choose. Political freedom depends on it too.”
“They Want to Shut Down TV Republika”
He added, “Today there are signs that freedom could be taken from us in Poland.”
“They want to shut down TV Republika. They want to pass hate speech laws that would ban people from speaking their minds. They want to censor the internet. If there’s one key value and one powerful message from the Republican tradition, it’s the defense of freedom. Let us rise in defense of that freedom. Let this conference be a special affirmation of freedom of speech. Freedom always ultimately wins. Let’s give it everything we’ve got.
Welcome to everyone who came to this conference. Welcome free Poles, free Americans. Welcome, free world!”