Recently, I have increasingly been utilising the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence. I am aware of its limitations and understand that the outcomes of its analyses often depend on the data we input. Thus, it can perfectly support wishful thinking. Nevertheless, taking into account all possible errors, I spent several hours examining the phenomenon of the “Gazeta Polska” Clubs movement.
For comparison, I included data regarding Jerzy Owsiak’s movement. Owsiak’s movement is the largest social movement in terms of volunteer numbers, gathering up to 120,000 activists. Its one-time impact can involve several million people. However, analyses suggest this movement has less sustained impact capability compared to the “Gazeta Polska” Clubs, which number tens of thousands of activists.
Why is that? Because “Gazeta Polska” volunteers engage almost daily or at least monthly. Owsiak gathers his people at one major annual event, further supported by a summer concert. His strength largely depends on supportive media, meaning these media outlets can significantly shape or diminish his influence. Of course, with media backing, Owsiak has immense mobilisation power, as demonstrated in the 2023 campaign, where he contributed around half a million votes, crucial to the ruling coalition gaining power. His absence during the presidential campaign, alongside those half-million votes, clearly showed its impact.
The “Gazeta Polska” Clubs long lacked comparable media backing. They were supported by the Free Speech Zone (Strefa Wolnego Słowa), but it couldn’t realistically influence hundreds of thousands of people independently. The extraordinary growth of TV Republika provided the clubs with a turbocharge, significantly enhancing opportunities without fundamentally altering their core activities. Nearly 600 Clubs annually organise thousands to hundreds of thousands of meetings attended, at least occasionally, by about one million people, though exact counts remain elusive. Approximately 100,000 individuals regularly attend Club meetings. The lack of mandatory membership fees (Clubs set their own rules) complicates precise counting. Even those who initially stumble upon a Club gradually become more conscious and engaged, subsequently influencing others. The connection with the Free Speech Zone media facilitates communication and ideological development.
The Clubs movement addresses several fundamental human needs: belonging, acceptance, and above all, community. Humans are social beings, and the closest form of social organisation for them is the community, which explains the strength of the family.
The Clubs serve as a stronghold of Polish identity and robust defenders of free speech. They are visible wherever important issues arise. This movement is our gift to Poland and all places where Poles live.
It has now been 20 years since I reactivated the “Gazeta Polska” Clubs movement. I deeply bow to each of its participants. You serve Poland well.