Catalogue Number
NMLH.1993.185.105
Object Name
Badge
Title
Hands off SolidarnoÅÄ
Place
Poland
People
SolidarnoÅÄ
Date
1980s
Description
Circular white badge, "Hands Off SolidarnoÅÄ" in red. SolidarnoÅÄ, meaning 'Solidarity', was a Polish trade union, founded in 1980 when the country was a satellite state of the USSR. The union was a significant part of the anti-Soviet movement in Poland, as it followed a programme of encouraging a "Self-governing Republic" for the country. The Polish government soon enacted a martial law in 1981, with which it tried to destroy the union, and repressed the union in the following years. However, Solidarno?? continued to garner support both within Poland and internationally, and the government sat down to talks with the union in 1989. Since the resulting semi-free elections, SolidarnoÅÄ has moved away from political involvement to become a more standard trade union.
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