The declaration of martial law on 13 December 1981 was met with opposition from miners, among others. The communist authorities decided to use force to pacify the protests. The first show of force using firearms and live ammunition was on 15 December at the Lipcowy Manifest (currently Zofiówka) mine in Jastrzębie-Zdrój. This is the 43rd anniversary of these events.
Four miners were wounded from gunfire. Six others were injured in clashes with the ZOMO. The pacification of the Jastrzębie mine took place hours after the start of the strike there, which was a manifestation of protest against the unlawful decision of the communist authorities imposing martial law in Poland. Strikers were confronted with 1,700 militiamen and soldiers, as well as ZOMO and SB officers, who had tanks and combat vehicles at their disposal.
A day later, the tragedy at the Wujek mine in Katowice occurred. Nine miners were killed and 21 injured during the pacification of the miners’ protest.
