44th anniversary of the pacification of the Manifest Lipcowy mine

It has been 44 years since the dramatic events that went down in the history of martial law. It was in the Manifest Lipcowy mine-today's Zofiówka-that the first shots were fired at striking miners.

Every year, on the anniversary, a ceremony is held in front of the plaque commemorating the events of years past. Flowers were laid by representatives of the JSW Supervisory Board, trade unions, mine directors, and delegations, among others.

The Manifest Lipcowy was the first industrial plant where ZOMO officers used firearms against protesters. On 15 December 1981, 1,700 officers from the militia, ZOMO, and SB were sent against the miners, supported by soldiers, tanks, and combat vehicles. Four miners were injured as a result of the violent action.

A day later, on 16 December, the Wujek mine in Katowice was pacified. At Wujek 9 miners lost their lives and 23 were injured.