Scene during a demonstration against Jaruzelski’s visit to New York. Bolko Skowron, a KPN and Pomost activist from Detroit, demonstrates with his poster. (Source: Archive)
A 2025 Meeting of Independence Activists
As Seen from Chicago
Marek Bober (Chicago, Illinois)
In the 1980s, about 35,000 Poles received the right to settle in the United States with the status of refugees or political asylum seekers. In addition, 400,000-500,000 people arrived for temporary stay or as part of family reunification. And then there was a large group through illegal means, the size of which no one can account for.
Political emigrants arrived with different levels of experience and varying levels of involvement in opposition activities. Both, the chairmen of the Solidarity regions, and ordinary members found themselves in America. Andrzej Rozpłochowski settled in California, and Leszek Waliszewski – the leaders of the Silesian “Solidarity” in Detroit. Jarosław Chołodecki from the Opole “Solidarity” and the anti-communist activist Andrzej Czuma settled in Chicago. In New York or nearby, there were the legendary AK and WiN soldier and independence activist Colonel Marian Gołębiewski, as well as Zygmunt Staszewski from the Lower Silesian “Solidarity”, Mirosław Domińczyk from the “Solidarity” of the Świętokrzyskie region, and Andrzej Burghardt, a “Solidarity” activist from Częstochowa, who created a special association uniting union activists in forced emigration.
Political emigrants most often went to the largest Polish communities, Chicago and New York, but they also chose Boston and Florida, St. Louis, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
Not everyone was involved in further activities for a free Poland after their arrival, and there is no reason to blame them. But there was probably no city or town where they ended up where something was not happening – something that was supposed to help Poland and bring independence closer. Small Bober were created, there were journals or radio programs, there were Holy Masses and demonstrations. Appeals and declarations were made, money was collected – so useful at that time – to be sent to Poland. There was, of course, strictly political activity, talks with congressmen and senators, activity in the American media and visits to Washington. Everyone acted the best they could and as they were able. Everyone devoted their time, family life and professional life, no one spared a penny.
The fate of Polish refugees has varied. Some withdrew from activity at the beginning of the changes in Poland, others are still active today. Some returned to Poland, often getting involved in politics, local government or business. Others also returned to Poland, but this time to retire. We had to say goodbye to a large group forever, because they left for eternal duty. Some were noticed in Poland, something was written about them, they were even decorated or given some supplements to their pension. Others want nothing, above all they do not want to brag about what they have done for Poland.
The fate and efforts of the political emigration of the 1980s have not been well researched, described and passed on to new generations. There is still time to preserve at least a little of this for posterity. Perhaps the conference in West Virginia will serve this purpose.
Below, you will find information about the meeting, which is planned for the end of May 2025. It is to gather, after many years, those who conducted political activities in the USA. The meeting is to take the format of a conference — speeches, papers, analyses and memories. Patronage has been announced by several important institutions, several interesting people from Poland will be invited. There will also be Americans, who are not indifferent to the topic.
The initiative came from people who had settled in New York in the 1980s. It was an important place on the political map of Polish emigration, perhaps the most important one. Although Chicago was considered the capital of the American Polish community (the two most important political organizations: the Polish American Congress and the POMOST Social and Political Movement had their headquarters there), New York was – together with Washington – the center of political life. It was in New York that activists of “Solidarity” and independence organizations usually began their visits. Members of the Confederation of Independent Poland, Fighting Solidarity and the Polish Independence Party were active here. It should be noted that their activities did not focus exclusively on the Polish community, but also brought results in American spheres.
But it is not important who the initiator of the event is. What is important is that it takes place. Anyone interested can take advantage of the invitation.
Political Emigration Conference 2025
Four decades ago, many activists of “Solidarity” and the anti-communist opposition in the Polish People’s Republic, members and supporters of the Confederation of Independent Poland, Fighting Solidarity or the Polish Independence Party, came to the United States. Many of them did not stop at just arranging their lives in their future new homeland, but continued to work — within their capabilities and in various ways — for the freedom and independence of Poland.
Polish community in Chicago. Unveiling of the Katyn Monument, Niles, IL 2005. Photo : PN archive.
Years later, they decided to sum up that time. The initiative came from people living in New York in the 1980s, but it is addressed to everyone, regardless of their place of residence.
This event will be the “Conference ‘Independence Emigration in the USA in the 1980s’. Papers, analyses, discussions, memories”.
Participants will be able to discuss past activities and reminisce.
The conference is open to anyone interested in the subject. Discussion panels and meetings will be open to those who want to learn more about those times and their activities, and there will also be an opportunity to express their own opinions. Efforts are being made to hold the conference under the patronage of several prestigious institutions, both Polish and American. Interesting guests are invited.
The organizers propose several working topics.
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Polish media in the USA in the fight for Poland’s independence.
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Our assistance and the assistance of the US government to the opposition in the Polish People’s Republic.
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How the PRL regime fought us.
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The impact of our actions on the Polish community in the USA, on the US government and on the regime of the Polish People’s Republic.
The point is to remember what we did, how things were, what gave us strength and motivation, what made it difficult and who got in the way, etc.
May 31 — June 2, 2025
Summersville, West Virginia
(304) 872-2783
[email protected]
Translation from Polish by Andrew Woźniewicz.
Marek Bober
Chicago, Illinois
Editor-in-Chief of several newspapers in the USA, including Polska Gazeta, Dziennik Chicagowski, Kurier Chicago and Radio Polonia 2000 as well as PNN24TV online television.
Source: kuryerpolski.us