From Agence France Press
Sent to NSC by C.J. Atkins
Arkansas, USA
Some 30,000 protestors took to the streets of Warsaw on September 24th to demonstrate against economic reforms, shouting "no to selling Poland to foreigners" and calling for Premier Jerzy Buzek to resign.
Several thousand police and riot police were deployed for the protest, which organizers had said could attract up to 100,000 people, but it wound up in mid-afternoon without incident.
The rally included farmers, miners, nurses, workers from the rail roads and arms industries, and others who have suffered from reforms destined to prepare Poland for entry into the European Union.
Demonstrators marched peacefully throughout the afternoon in front of the finance ministry, parliament and the main government headquarters, shouting "Reforms equal sabotage" and "Don't sell Poland to foreigners".
Government buildings had been cordoned off and buses which brought protesters from across Poland were searched for weapons or bottles.
The government popularity has slumped because of mismanagement of reforms in four sections: health, pensions, the civil service and education.
Truck drivers protested in early August over an increase in fuel prices, while farmers, who are facing over-production and falling revenues, have also called for cheaper fuel, higher prices for their corn, and tax hikes on imported cereals.
Two hundred nurses staged a hunger strike last month in southern Poland to protest low salaries and poor conditions.
Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz, who ten years ago started Poland on the road to economic reform, bore the brunt of the protesters' anger, with many calling for his immediate dismissal.
Several trade unions, including two ex-Communist groups, organized protests, but the union called "Solidarnosz" - ("Solidarity") was very conspicuous by its absence from any demonstrations, since its political arm is now part of the Polish government.
It is very interesting that this news item did not get the coverage it deserved in the capitalist press. After all, we are led to believe that Poland is safe from any demonstrations, as if the people of Poland do not realize what they had and what today's reality is! People are awakening!
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