The Cross of Freedom and Solidarity, awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland, is a token of the Polish state’s gratitude for the struggle against the communist system before 1989.
Opposition activists from the communist era honored
- Anna Borek
Anna Borek distributed leaflets informing about repression after martial law was imposed, until February 1982. She also helped organize assistance for internees. From 1983 to 1989, she was active in the TMKK NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec and the RKW NSZZ “Solidarity” Lower Silesia Bolesławiec Branch. She co-organized a distribution network for the underground press and independent publications in Bolesławiec and Białystok. At the same time, she co-organized Masses for the Homeland held at the Church of Christ the King in Bolesławiec. - Antonina Zenona Dutkowska
Antonina Dutkowska co-organized the printing and distribution of leaflets in Bolesławiec from December 13, 1981, to February 24, 1982. On February 24, 1982, she was arrested, and on March 18, 1982, sentenced by the Provincial Court in Jelenia Góra to three years and six months’ imprisonment. She was initially held at the prison in Wrocław, then in Krzywaniec and Grudziądz, and again in Krzywaniec. In connection with the amnesty announced on March 28, 1983, she was released from serving the remainder of her sentence. From 1983 to 1985, Antonina Dutkowska was actively involved in the Chaplaincy for Working People. - Jan Filipek
As an employee of the Building Elements Production Plant in Bolesławiec, Jan Filipek co-organized and chaired the strike committee at his workplace in August 1980. In September 1980, he became chairman of the NSZZ “Solidarity” Workplace Committee and a member of the Temporary Interfactory Workplace Committee in Bolesławiec. From May 1981, he served as chairman of the Interfactory Coordinating Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity.” On December 14, 1981, he became chairman of the strike committee at his workplace. In connection with organizing the strike, he was arrested on December 19, 1981. On December 23, 1981, the Provincial Court in Jelenia Góra sentenced Mr. Jan Filipek to three years’ imprisonment. By resolution of the Council of State dated December 20, 1982, he was conditionally released from serving the remainder of his sentence. After leaving prison on March 31, 1983, he continued his trade-union activities underground. Jan Filipek became chairman of the Secret Interfactory Coordinating Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” and cooperated with the Regional Strike Committee. From 1983 to 1989, he co-organized a distribution network for underground publications. Jan Filipek was repeatedly detained by the Security Service, interrogated and subjected to searches. - Józef Gołębiowski
Father Józef Gołębiowski took part in secret meetings of Bolesławiec’s “Solidarity” from 1983 to 1989. Father Józef Gołębiowski was monitored and harassed by officers of the communist state security organs. He initiated the first Mass for the Homeland and celebrated services in support of NSZZ “Solidarity.” He supported the activities of Bolesławiec’s “Solidarity” aimed at commemorating the martyrdom of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko and was among the priests serving as Chaplains of Solidarity. - Roman Adam Janikowski
As an employee of the “Chemitex-Celwiskoza” Chemical Fiber Plants in Jelenia Góra, Roman Janikowski actively engaged in underground activities after martial law was imposed. From 1982 to 1989, he was a member of the Secret Workplace Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” at his workplace. He organized collections to fund illegal trade-union activities, distributed the illegal press, including “From Day to Day” and “Fighting Solidarity,” and conducted leaflet campaigns at the plant and in Jelenia Góra. Roman Janikowski was a member of the Chaplaincy for Working People and of the parish of St. Erasmus and St. Pancras in Jelenia Góra. As part of these activities, he supported persecuted people and their families and attended Masses for the Homeland. - Eugeniusz Kleśta
Eugeniusz Kleśta had been a member of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the Lower Silesian Linen Industry Plants Orzeł in Mysłakowice since 1980. After martial law was declared, he distributed leaflets of the underground “Solidarity” at his workplace, for which he was arrested on December 18, 1981, and held in pre-trial detention centers in Jelenia Góra and Wrocław. On January 14, 1982, a judgment of the Śląsk Military District Court sentenced Eugeniusz Kleśta to one year in prison. Following an appeal, the Supreme Court—Military Chamber increased the sentence to two years on February 25, 1982. On December 6, 1982, Eugeniusz Kleśta was granted a break in serving his sentence, and on March 8, 1983, he was pardoned by a decision of the Council of State. - Franciszek Kozdra
Franciszek Kozdra actively participated in the anti-communist opposition from December 13, 1981, to June 4, 1989. In 1980–1981, at the Zielona Góra Aggregate Extraction Plants in Bolesławiec, he co-founded NSZZ “Solidarity” and, from November 1980, served as deputy chairman of the Workplace Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity.” In September 1980, Franciszek Kozdra helped establish the Interfactory Founding Committee, where he served on the presidium from November 6, 1981. After martial law was imposed, from 1982 to 1988 Franciszek Kozdra was among the organizers of the Secret Workplace Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the Zielona Góra Aggregate Extraction Plants in Bolesławiec, serving as its chairman. From 1983 to 1988, Franciszek Kozdra was a member and treasurer of the Interfactory Coordinating Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec. Within both underground structures, he collected contributions to assist persecuted people, purchase independent publications, fund a commemorative plaque dedicated to Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, and buy printing materials used to produce propaganda and information leaflets for the underground “Solidarity.” Franciszek Kozdra also distributed leaflets and independent publications, including books, fundraising bricks, calendars, underground “Solidarity” postage stamps, and periodicals such as “From Day to Day,” “Fighting Solidarity,” “Ogniwo,” “Kos,” “Obecność,” “Tygodnik Mazowsze” and “Region.” From 1984 to 1989, he helped create an open opposition community under the banner of the Chaplaincy for Working People. He co-organized Masses for the Homeland. In autumn 1988, Franciszek Kozdra co-founded, and from 1989 chaired, the open Organizing Committee of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the Zielona Góra Mineral Resources Mines in Bolesławiec. At the end of 1988, he co-founded the Regional Executive Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” Lower Silesia, Bolesławiec Branch, and from March 21, 1989, served on its presidium. He took part in the work of the “Solidarity” Citizens’ Committee in Bolesławiec. - Marek Krakowiak
In May 1981, while working as an inspector in the Criminal Department of the Municipal Citizens’ Militia Headquarters in Jelenia Góra, Marek Krakowiak co-organized the establishment of an organization intended to protect the labor rights of Citizens’ Militia officers. On May 31, 1981, the Temporary Founding Committee of the Councils of Citizens’ Militia Officers of the Jelenia Góra Garrison was established at the Municipal Citizens’ Militia Headquarters in Jelenia Góra, with Marek Krakowiak as its chairman. Despite a ban by the Provincial Citizens’ Militia Commander in Jelenia Góra, Marek Krakowiak participated in the first National Congress of Delegates of Citizens’ Militia Officers’ Trade Unions. Because of his trade-union activity, Marek Krakowiak was repeatedly reprimanded by his superiors, intimidated, interrogated by Security Service officers, harassed and ultimately dismissed on July 9, 1981. In subsequent years, he continued to actively support the Citizens’ Militia Officers’ Trade Union and local structures of NSZZ “Solidarity,” including by distributing leaflets of the officers’ union and NSZZ “Solidarity” and helping the families of persecuted people. As a result of his opposition activities, Marek Krakowiak was unable to find permanent employment. - Walenty Krzysiek
Walenty Krzysiek was a member of the Founding Committee of NSZZ “Solidarity” and chairman of the Workplace Commission at the Hydraulic Power Components Plant in Lubań Śląski. In 1980–1981, Walenty Krzysiek distributed independence-oriented periodicals and publications. In 1981, he took part in a strike at the Gencjana club in the Jelenia Góra area. Because of his opposition activities, Walenty Krzysiek was interned on December 17, 1981, at the Detention Centers in Kamienna Góra and Głogów, and released on April 30, 1982. After martial law was imposed, he attended underground meetings of Jelenia Góra’s underground Solidarity and co-organized the Catholic Intelligentsia Club at the Holy Trinity parish in Lubań. On August 31, 1982, Walenty Krzysiek took part in and helped organize a solidarity rally in Lubań and cooperated with Fighting Solidarity. For these activities, he was interned again on November 10, 1982, and held at the Detention Center in Strzelin until December 6, 1982. - Jerzy Popioł
Jerzy Popioł was active in NSZZ “Solidarity” at the Municipal Transport Company in Jelenia Góra from 1980. In August 1980, he co-organized a strike at the company. He subsequently served as chairman of the Founding Committee of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the company and chairman of its Workplace Commission. Because of his opposition activities, he was interned from December 13, 1981, to December 23, 1982, successively at the prison in Kamienna Góra and the Detention Centers in Głogów, Grodków and Uherce. During his internment, he was repeatedly disciplined, including for making matrices for printing camp mail stamps, rubber stamps and commemorative forms. He also took part in hunger strikes and protests. After his internment, he continued his opposition activities. From 1983 to 1985, he edited, printed and distributed commemorative prints, graphics and underground publications. He also organized printing materials and transport. He made his apartment available for storing illegal printed materials. For these activities, he was repeatedly detained for 48 hours. Searches were also conducted at his apartment and workplace. - Zbigniew Razik
From December 14, 1981, to February 24, 1982, Zbigniew Razik was active in the illegal structures of NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec. For his underground activities, he was detained on February 26, 1982, and subsequently sentenced by a judgment of the Provincial Court in Jelenia Góra dated March 18, 1982, to three years’ imprisonment and an additional penalty of deprivation of public rights for three years. By resolution of the Council of State dated March 28, 1983, Zbigniew Razik was conditionally released from serving the remainder of his sentence, with a three-year probation period. He served his sentence until April 6, 1983. - Zbigniew Sałapa
Zbigniew Sałapa served as secretary of the Workplace Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the Lower Silesian Linen Industry Plants “Orzeł” in Mysłakowice. After martial law was imposed, he continued his opposition activities. He edited leaflets with anti-state content and distributed them at the workplace. Investigated by the Security Service, he was detained on December 21, 1981, at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Śląsk Military District in Wrocław and then remanded in custody. By a judgment of the Śląsk Military District Court dated January 14, 1982, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment; in a judgment dated February 25, 1982, the Supreme Court—Military Chamber increased the sentence to three and a half years. By resolution of the Council of State dated May 5, 1982, Zbigniew Sałapa was conditionally released from serving his sentence. - Bogusław Stecko
Bogusław Stecko took part in street disturbances in Szczecin on December 17, 1970. He was arrested in connection with this. He was held at the Provincial Detention Center in Szczecin from December 18, 1970, to March 29, 1971. On March 29, 1971, the Provincial Prosecutor in Szczecin lifted the pre-trial detention and applied social surety. The investigation was discontinued by a decision dated December 27, 1971, due to insufficient evidence. - Lucjan Złotkowski
From December 1981 to 1983, Lucjan Złotkowski was an active anti-communist opposition activist in Bolesławiec. He collected contributions and organized assistance for persecuted people and their families. He produced and distributed illegal leaflets, including at the “Wizów” Chemical Plant in Bolesławiec. From 1986 to 1989, he cooperated with the Secret Interfactory Coordinating Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity,” and from 1987 to 1989 with the Regional Executive Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” Lower Silesia. As part of these activities, he distributed the underground press: “From Day to Day,” “Region” and “Ogniwo.” In 1988, Lucjan Złotkowski co-founded the open Organizing Committee of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the “Wizów” Chemical Plant in Bolesławiec.
Posthumously
- Anna Bolesława Gałąszczak
From 1982 to 1989, Anna Gałąszczak helped create the underground structures of NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec. In 1983, she began cooperating with the Secret Interfactory Coordinating Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity,” and from 1989 she was active in the Regional Executive Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” Lower Silesia, Bolesławiec Branch. Anna Gałąszczak was among the main couriers delivering underground periodicals and leaflets to Bolesławiec from Wrocław, Kraków, Gdańsk and Warsaw. Together with her daughter, Anna Gałąszczak distributed them to distribution points throughout the city. Her apartment was also a place where illegal publications were collected. From 1983 to 1989, Anna Gałąszczak engaged in open opposition activities through the Chaplaincy for Working People, co-organized Masses for the Homeland and pilgrimages of working people to Częstochowa. - Mieczysław Karol
From 1981 to 1989, Mieczysław Karol actively participated in underground activities in Bolesławiec. After martial law was imposed, while working for the Zielona Góra Aggregate Extraction Plants—Aggregate Mine in Bolesławiec/Zielona Góra Mineral Resources Mines in Bolesławiec, he and his colleagues co-organized the Secret Workplace Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity,” which operated from 1982 to 1988. The organization collected funds to assist persecuted people in Bolesławiec and to purchase independent publications and printing materials. He took part in collecting funds for a commemorative plaque dedicated to Father Jerzy Popiełuszko. Mieczysław Karol took part in the clandestine installation of the plaque at the Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Warsaw. From 1983 to 1988, he was a member of the Secret Interfactory Coordinating Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec. Within both structures, workplace and inter-workplace, he distributed leaflets and independent publications. - Kazimierz Majewski
Kazimierz Majewski was chairman of the Workplace Committee of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the Tool Factory in Jelenia Góra. After martial law was imposed, he became involved in underground activities. He organized illegal meetings of the “Solidarity” Coordinating Commission. He took part in printing and distributing the underground publication “Odroczenie.” From August 29, 1982, to September 29, 1982, he was interned at the Detention Center in Nysa. Kazimierz Majewski was subsequently interrogated several times and blackmailed by Security Service officers. On October 28, 1982, he died by suicide. In light of current research, Kazimierz Majewski has been recognized as a victim of martial law.