Rhythms of Resistance: How Protest Shaped Black British Culture in Manchester
From the emergence of trade unions to the struggle for women’s suffrage, Manchester is known for its radical past. Black culture in mnachester is inextricably linked to its history of struggle and resistance, from the early entrance of Caribbean and African populations to the thriving music, literature, and festivals that characterise the city today.
The Black British experience in the city has historically been shaped by protest. In the face of police brutality, economic disparity, and racism, Black communities in Manchester have continuously organised to call for change. An important turning point that compelled discussions on systemic racism and social justice was the Moss Side riots of 1981, which were brought on by tensions over police harassment and discrimination. These conversations were rekindled decades later by the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020, which brought attention to persistent injustices and motivated a fresh wave of activists.
In Manchester, Black British culture has thrived as a form of self-expression and defiance outside of the streets. From hip-hop and reggae to the emergence of UK grime, the city’s music scene has been influenced by Black musicians who use their art to celebrate identity and fight oppression. Established in the 1970s, the Manchester Caribbean Carnival continues to be a potent representation of resistance and cultural pride. Black-led grassroots groups and artistic venues, meanwhile, are still fighting for empowerment and representation in politics, the arts, and education.
By examining the historical underpinnings of migration, the emergence of cultural expression, and the enduring effects of activism, this article investigates the relationship between Black British culture and protest in Manchester. It looks at how protest has influenced legislation and nourished a vibrant Black cultural sector
By Chelsea Nyathi
that is constantly redefining Manchester’s identity. Through a combination of activism, art, and history, Black Manchester tells a tale of tenacity, inventiveness, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
Migration is where Manchester’s Black British culture story starts. Although Black people had been in Britain for generations, the Windrush era, which followed World War II, saw the largest influx to Manchester. The British government promoted migration from Caribbean countries in response to employment shortages, which resulted in a spike in immigration throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Attracted by jobs in manufacturing, transport and the NHS, many of these migrants made their homes in industrial areas like Manchester. The city’s numerous Black groups are a result of the growth in African migration at that time, especially from Ghana and Nigeria.
Hulme, Moss Side, and the neighbourhoods around the city centre become important entres of Black life in Manchester. from the reality of migration was anything from simple. Due to landlords’ overt refusals to rent to them, many Black families experienced racism in the housing market.
Black employees were frequently restricted to low-paying positions with few opportunities for promotion due to pervasive employment discrimination. These communities overcame these obstacles
these obstacles to create robust social and cultural networks, including churches, social clubs, and community centres that offered assistance and a feeling of inclusion.
Tensions between Black communities and the government grew during the 1970s and 1980s. Young Black men were disproportionately the targets of the “sus” legislation, which permitted police to stop and search people on the basis of mere suspicion. The Moss Side riots of 1981 were the result of growing dissatisfaction during this time due to racial prejudice, unemployment, and police violence. The riots, which were brought on by harsh police and economic neglect, were a watershed that made both the national and local administrations face the problems of social inequality and institutional racism.
The Black community in Manchester persevered in the face of these challenges. From Black-owned companies to music venues that were essential to the city’s developing reggae and soul scenes, they created cultural places that honoured legacy and identity. New forms of cultural expression were introduced by the immigration of second and third generation Black Britons, who combined British, Caribbean, and African influences to create a unique Black British identity.
Black culture in Manchester was founded on a combination of adversity and resilience. Black populations in Manchester established the foundation for a culture that is still strong today, closely linked to the city’s history of activity and tenacity, via migration, settlement, and resistance.
Manchester’s Black community expanded along with a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape that combined British, Caribbean, and African elements. Festivals, literature, music, and grassroots projects all developed into effective mediums for identity creation, resistance and self-epression.
Black British culture in Manchester was greatly influenced by music. The Reno and The Nile, which became renowned for their role in nurturing Black musical talent, were prominent venues for reggae and ska during the 1970s and 1980s. Black Britons could celebrate their roots and escape the bigotry of mainstream culture at these cultural hotspots, which were more than just clubs. Grime and UK rap emerged as hip-hop and R&B grew in popularity over time, with Manchester-based musicians like Bugzy Malone becoming wellknown across the country.
Another important way that Black culture was expressed was through festivals and open festivities. Established in the 1970s, the Manchester Caribbean Carnival continues to be one of the most important cultural events in the city, combining dance, music and cuisine in a colourful celebration of resistance and tradition. The occasion celebrates the Black community’s achievements and affirms their place in the city’s cultural fabric, symbolising both joy and rebellion.
In Manchester, spoken word and Black literature have flourished in addition to music and festivals. Stories have been utilised as a form of resistance by writers, poets, and activists to draw attention to issues of social justice, racism, and identity. Young Black creatives have been further empowered by community-led initiatives, which have made sure their opinions are heard in mainstream settings.
Black British culture in Manchester has not only thrived but also grown to be an essential component of the city's identity through music, festivals, literature, and grassroots projects.
Every form of artistic expression carries with it a history of hardship, tenacity and the unwavering spirit of resistance.
Protest and activism have always been a part of Manchester’s Black British culture. Black communities in the city have continuously battled for justice in the face of racism, economic injustice, and police brutality, opposing oppression through large-scale protests as well as local activity.
The Moss Side riots in 1981 were among the most important instances of resistance. Tensions between Black youth and law enforcement increased as a result of decades of racial discrimination, subpar housing, and overbearing policing, particularly through the contentious "sus" laws. The government was forced to admit structural prejudice as a result of the turmoil that broke out in Moss Side, which was matched by riots in places like Brixton and Liverpool. Although some policy reforms were brought about by the riots, many problems persisted.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Manchester chapter of the British Black Panther Movement was instrumental in the struggle for civil rights. They addressed police harassment, advocated for improved housing, and battled against discrimination in employment and education, all motivated by their American counterparts. Their efforts set the stage for subsequent movements aimed at holding institutions accountable and empowering Black communities.
The 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations in Manchester more recently raised awareness of racial injustice. Demanding structural reforms in employment, education, and law enforcement, thousands of people marched through the city. Proclamations for increased diversity and inclusivity in public institutions resulted from the protests’ resurgence of conversations about institutional racism.
Protest has played a crucial role in forming Manchester’s Black experience, from the streets of Moss Side to citywide rallies. Resistance is a constant and essential force in the struggle for justice and equality because, despite the advancements brought about by action, many of the same problems still exist.
Beyond the streets, protest in Manchester’s Black communities has left a lasting legacy that has changed public perceptions of race and equality, impacted policy, and altered cultural representation. Even while change has been gradual and frequently greeted with opposition, activism has been essential in bringing about reform in the fields of education, the arts, and policing.
Policing policies have been one of the most direct effects of protest. The contentious “sus” regulations were eventually repealed after the Scarman Report, which recognised the role of institutional racism in police in the wake of the Moss Side riots in 1981. But police harassment and racial discrimination continued to be problems. The 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations, which took place decades later, increased pressure on law enforcement to change how they handle racial discrimination and stopand-search procedures. Even while certain promises were fulfilled, activists are still calling for more responsibility and systemic reform.
Black activism has affected cultural and educational institutions in addition to police enforcement. Black-led creative initiatives have received more funding as a result of campaigns for greater diversity in the arts and media, while schools and colleges have been urged to decolonise their curricula and teach more Black British history. Black voices have been amplified in Manchester been amplified in Manchester by grassroots organisations, guaranteeing their presence in public life, business, and politics.
Even wit these successes, there are still
numerous obstacles to overcome. The Black communities in Manchester are still impacted by systematic racism, economic inequality, and a lack of representation in leadership roles. However, activism’s history demonstrates that protest is a potent force for change. Black British culture in Manchester is not only cherished but also acknowledged as a vital component of the city’s character and future thanks to the ongoing resistance made possible by the struggles of the past.
Manchester’s history of protest and resistance is inextricably linked to its Black British culture. Activism has played a pivotal role in forming the city’s cultural character and social advancement, from the early fights against discrimination by Caribbean and African immigration to the significant uprisings of the 1980s and the worldwide impact of Black Lives Matter. In addition to opposing repressive structures, these acts of resistance have fostered political reform, cultural expression, and a growing sense of pride among Manchester’s Black populations.
The city’s thriving music industry, which includes grime, hip-hop, and reggae, is a testament to the heritage of protest, as musicians have utilised their platforms to raise awareness of social injustice and racial injustice. It is evident in the yearly Manchester Caribbean Carnival, which continues to be a vibrant but rebellious celebration of resiliency and legacy. It finds resonance in grassroots initiatives that persist in promoting economic possibilities, legislative reform, and representation for Black Britons.
Even while there has been improvement, there is still much work to be done. Social inequalities, economic inequality, and institutional racism still
exist, necessitating ongoing activism and community-driven reform. In order to guarantee that the voices of Manchester’s Black communities are not only heard but also acknowledged and appreciated, the power of protest and artistic expression is still as strong as ever.
The Black communities’ cultural and activist contributions to Manchester’s ongoing development serve as a tribute to their tenacity, inventiveness, and unwavering pursuit of justice.
A Legacy of LGBTQIA+ Activism
By Joshua Pickford
Manchester has long been at the heart of LGBTQIA+ activism in the UK, standing as a city of both pride and protest. From the
Campaign for Homosexual Equality in the 1970s to the Trans Rights Protests of the 2020s, our city has played an integral role in the fight for equal rights.
But beyond its activism, Manchester has also been known for being a place of visibility and community. Its iconic Gay Village, centered around Canal Street, emerged in the 1980s as a vibrant hub for queer life. A pivotal moment came from this in 1990, with the opening of Manto, a bar that shattered conventions with its floorto-ceiling windows – an act of defiance in a time when LGBTQIA+ venues were often hidden from view. This statement reflected Manchester’s progressive spirit, setting it apart as a city that embraced openness when many others shunned it completely.
Today, Manchester’s legacy of activism continues to shape its identity in the 21st century. In this article, we’ll explore the key movements that have taken place here in support of LGBTQIA+ life, their lasting impact, and how they continue to hold influence today.
Today, Manchester’s legacy of activism continues to shape its identity in the 21st century. In this article, we’ll explore the key movements that have taken place here in support of LGBTQIA+ life, their lasting impact,and how they continue to hold influence today.
One of the most influential groups to
emerge from the city was the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE). Founded in Manchester, CHE played a key role in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, championing major protests and legal reforms.
One of its most influential moments came in 1972, when members of CHE took part in the first-ever London Pride, a demonstration that started in Hyde Park before marching to Trafalgar Square in protest of the unequal age of consent. At the time, gay men faced a higher age of consent than heterosexual couples, reinforcing discrimination in the law.
CHE also helped bring LGBTQIA+ issues into the public eye through media, featuring in the documentary Speak for Yourself alongside London Friend, another advocacy group. Their relentless campaigning eventually led to a landmark victory: lowering the age of consent for homosexual relationships to match that of heterosexual couples.
This was a monumental step towards equality, as it meant LGBTQIA+ individuals were no longer legally treated as second-class citizens when it came to relationships. While there was still a long way to go, Manchester’s role in this fight helped pave the way for the rights many enjoy today.
In 1988, Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government introduced Section 28, a law that banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools and public institutions. Born out of fear and misinformation during the HIV/AIDS crisis, the legislation effectively erased LGBT representation from education and left countless young people without support. Worse still, it prevented eachers from
from protecting students who were being bullied for their sexuality.
But Manchester refused to stay silent. On February 20, 1988, the city became the epicenter of resistance, hosting the largest anti-Section 28 rally in the UK. 20,000 Mancunians took to the streets in one of the most significant gay-rights protests in British history. Among the key organizers was activist Paul Fairweather, a leading figure in the fight for equality throughout the 80s.
The fight against Section 28 raged on for years, with Manchester consistently at the forefront of activism. Eventually, the legislation was repealed in 2000 in Scotland and in 2003 in England and Wales, a huge victory in the history of LGBTQIA+ rights.
Manchester’s role in this battle is a testament to the city’s unwavering commitment to equality, proving once again that when injustice arises, this city fights back.
For decades, outdated policies prevented gay and bisexual men from donating blood in the UK. Introduced during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, the ban was rooted in stigma rather than science, reinforcing discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals even when their blood was safe to use.
Change came slowly. In 2011, the outright ban was lifted, but only under the condition that gay and bisexual men had abstained from sex for a full year before donating. This restriction was later reduced to three months in 2017, but activists argued it was still based on assumptions rather than actual medical risk.
Manchester stood firmly behind groups like Stonewall, demanding further change. Years of protests and campaigns
finally led to a breakthrough when, in 2020, the UK government announced a shift toward a personal sexual behaviour risk assessment, rather than a blanket restriction. By March 2024, the deferral period was scrapped entirely, meaning gay and bisexual men can now donate blood without restrictions. Manchester’s unwavering support for this cause reflects the city’s resilience and determination to stand up for true equality.
Manchester still holds a key place in activism for LGBTQIA+ rights in the 2020s, with groups such as Trans Pride Manchester holding events every year in the fight for true equality. Their group claims that they “believe that Pride is a Protest; not a party. Although pride is also a space for celebration and to fight for our rights.” This shows that the people of Manchester are not going to stop playing a part in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights anytime soon.
A City of SHEvolution
Manchester is a city known for its vibrant music, being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and of course its passionate
population with protests and demonstrations being a part of Mancunian culture since the first pavement was laid on Oxford Road, those hundred years ago. The most prominent topic of protests in Manchester, and around the country for that matter, is that of gender, with the fight for equality in pay and respect leading the charge. The history of feminist protests is a long and tricky one, dating back to times when the word FEMINISM was hushed and whispered along streets and in green grocers. The first key protests in Manchester’s history were established by The Manchester Society for Women’s Suffrage (MSWS) in 1867 and was one of the first recorded women’s rights movements in England. This society was established by Elizabeth Wolstonholme-Elmy with Lydia Earnestine Becker being the most prominent member, speaking at meetings and founding the Women’s Suffrage Journal in 1870. Previously named Manchester Committee for the Enfranchisement of Women, the movement aimed to achieve the right for women to vote in England. The actions of MSWS aided in securing the right for women to vote in municipal and school board elections as the Municipal Corporations Amendment Act of 1869 was passed, and later combined with London and Edinburgh committees to further women’s rights protests. This organization opened the discussion for women’s rights in Manchester, and beyond, with the idea of equality becoming a possible reality, rather than a wild dream.
By Olivia Walker
Discussions opened regarding sexist legislation, with the Women’s Suffrage Journal reporting on the inequalities of money and responsibility of a child and the passing of legislations in secret hoping to not arise opposition, however, this failed when a “ group of noble women, few in numbers but high in courage and devotion” protested the act and forced the government into creating a new bill, undoing their previous legislation. Arguments in favour of equal pay erupted as the Manchester and Salford federation of Women’s Workers held a meeting regarding the improvement of conditions and wages for women. They were met with an audience of 60 people which was made up mostly of women and the spokeswomen, Miss Marland, talked of women’s contributions to Manchester’s thriving trades and described how of her union 21,000 out of 35,000 were women, highlighting the importance of women in the workforce. The argument of the presence of women in higher education came to the forefront, backed by the bishop of Manchester who argued that the inclusion of women in higher education would only better the city, claiming it was in the interest of a “better religion” and “ of a purer humanity” to encourage women into higher education.
Hulton Deutsch, Suffragettes walk Suffragettes walk along a London Street wearing sandwich boards demanding that women be given the vote,1912, Photograph, London
A huge part of Manchester women’s suffrage history is the iconic ‘First in the Fight’ banner. This was created in 1908 at the peak of the women’s suffrage movement led by Emmeline Pankhurst and the year that the Women’s Social and Political Union coined the colours purple, white and green for their campaign.
Chatterton’s’ family displaying the ‘First in the Fight’ banner (1989) https://phm.org.uk/blogposts/the-manchester-suffragette-banner-mancunian-pride-mystery-and-celebrity/ Accessed 20 March 2025.
Fast-forward over one hundred years later, and women’s rights movements are just as important as they were when women like Emmeline were fighting for equality. One nationally recognized movement was the ‘Reclaim the Nights’ marches. Despite starting in 1977, organized by the Leeds Revolutionary feminist group, it was in the early 2000’s when these marches became a nationally recognized date, fighting to end violence against women. Marches for this initiative take place regularly in various cities such as Leeds, York, Manchester, and London, commonly in response to specific attacks on women such as the Ipswich serial murders in 2006 and the murder of Sarah Everard in 2021.
A separate movement that catapulted the ‘reclaim the Nights’ initiative was the #MeToo movement which originated in 2017. This was an adaptation from the previous MeToo phrase from 2006 in hopes of drawing more attention through social media to the issue of sexual abuse and empower survivors. Their vision is a world free of sexual violence and believe that the movement “begins with connecting survivors to resources for healing, justice, action and leadership”. The city of Manchester itself is committed to ending gender-based violence and supporting survivors as much as possible, and with the city containing over 1.4 million women and girls, striving for gender equality is a must with the council acknowledging that “Gender-based violence remains endemic in our society and around the world”.
Protests regarding women’s right and gender equality have developed in exposure, importance, and frequency though Manchester’s history, and continue to have impact on the city and the lives of the women and girls who live in it. We must continue to protest, continue to fight, and keep the culture of feminism flowing throughout the streets of Manchester, for decades to come.
Jake Lindley, Reclaim the Nights March in Manchester, 21 November 2024, Photograph, Manchester.
Diary of a student
How does it feel to be a student? Entering a new environment can be challenging, exciting and scary especially for
young people, who are not experienced enough to manage hurdles that can arise within the new environment. The best way to learn what it feels like to be student and how students deal with issues that they are facing daily is revealing the “secrets” of student’s diary.
This ‘diary’ is written by a student who has an immigrant background. A non-native speaker who has learnt to appreciate the benefit of exploring new cultures and traditions to expand its worldview and understanding of the world. This section of the diary aims to help students to become more independent and confident young adults by learning how to navigate life in a different environment.
Chapter 1 will cover Home Students &Tuition Fees, while in Chapter 2, I will share a story of an International Student and his experience.
For students, the understanding of what category they belong it’s very important as it will soothe their application process and assure them that they have the right resources and information for their category.
Even though it may seem easy to apply for university Home Students still struggle with the application. I have carried out a survey for Home Students, allowing them to express their experience.
By Emilija Taneska
The survey was taken by 6 students home students. 83.7% of students felt that Higher Education is not easily accessible in the Uk.
This part of the survey presents more issues that students are facing like money, tuition fees, application website for students with learning disabilities, students who come from lower household income.
Here are some of the other struggles that students are experiencing at university.
• The cost of train tickets to go back home
• Financial stress/worrying about not having enough money
• Managing money and living conditions
• Finance & internal problems with my university course.
• Mainly trying to figure out the websites and health issues.
• Juggling both studies and personal life
University can be challenging for all students but the time that we spend at university will remain a memory forever and it is an experience like no other. However, before joining university there are some essential skills and knowledge that every student must have. Current students have shared some advice that they found useful during their time at
university. Students advise to use the university help services such as study skills to have support on assignments, finding jobs, managing stress. Some more support/guidance as to what is best suited to them in the first place. Compulsory home economic/ domestic management classes until age 18 - how to cook, clean and manage money.
Save as much as you can before university! Take a gap year, work full time and save as much as you can while you live at home. Money is a main worry, and living is very stressful at university without savings as a safety net. Put coursework first and leave the partying and drinking until after you’ve done something productive.
The biggest and most common challenge for Students are tuition fees. On the question ‘are tuition fees too expensive 83.3% said yes while only 16.7% said no.
Students feel that they should get some extra benefits such as liveable maintenance loans, lower rent, some kind of compensation supporting students who come from low-income households. The rise in cost of living has a huge impact on students and has resulted in protests. In 2023, ongoing protests was held around the University of Manchester when 250 students cancelled payments in,January and demanded a 30% reduction in rent at halls of residence.
The reason behind this protests was the rise in cost of living. Students have said that they have struggled to buy food and some of them have been skipping meals. However, this wasn’t helpful as some of them still haven’t been able to afford rent and other costs. 2023 hasn’t been the first time for protests that has happened in Manchester. During the Covid –19 lockdowns, a series of students protests were happening starting on the 5th of November ending on the 25th of
November. This aim of this 20-day protest was reduction in rents in halls of residence and improving leaving conditions. To prevent household mixing, the university of Manchester installed temporary fencing on November 5 and informed students later that day. By the evening, a sizable crowd had gathered, and demonstrators had taken down the fencing. The university removed the fencing the following day. A group of students advocating for a rent strike took over the Owens Park halls’ tower after this incident. Considering that rent prices may have gone down; tuition fees keep raising and it is said that tuition fees will go up from £9,250 to £9,535 in the 2025/2026 academic year.
For Home Students the battle for Tuition fees, maintenance loans and rent will carry on as more and more students face the same struggle every day. There is no secret ingredient which it needs to be added to win this battle. To understand what it likes to be a student, you must go through the experience and reveal your ‘secret
BBC News : University of Manchester : Rent strike students evicted by bailiffs. (20230 Available at: University of Manchester: Rent strike students evicted by bailiffs - BBC News
trick’ that work like a magic for you.
Even though Home Students find it their university education as a struggle, International Students seem to have more enjoyable experience. This part of the diary is non-protest related, but it still aims to inspire students to try new experiences, step out of their comfort zone and enjoy
their educational journey. As a part of my research, I’ve carried out an interview with my classmate who moved from USA to the UK. The interview covered different areas such as studying & living in Manchester, tuition fees for International Students, application process, advantages and disadvantages and struggles that they must be facing as International Students. Below is a summary of the answers given in the interview. The reason why Manchester was chosen as a destination for living and studying was that the USA never seemed like a place where he could build a future and having friends who had already moved to different countries was a trigger to move over. How different is Manchester compared to where you grew up? Manchester is a bit more expensive than where I grew up in Mississippi, but it’s also definitely cheaper than many places in the USA. I find that groceries and travel are cheaper here, but when it comes to owning a vehicle and things of that nature, I feel they’re more expensive over here. For International Students the application progress seems to be easier according to this: I found the process of applying to the university very straightforward and simple, my main hurdle was obtaining a visa. It takes a lot of patience and money if you don’t have a good support system or knowledge about the process, but as far as applying to MMU, it was simple. I found UCAS a lot more straightforward than the many ways that universities in the USA recruit and onboard students.
As many other students this student’s main struggles are managing time and finding balance between life, work, and university. International students struggle with loneliness as they are away from family/friends but luckily have a great network of people around them. I just find it hard staying on track with all I have to do, and it reminds that I am truly on my own in a place that’s very far from my family, and although I enjoy growing up
and figuring out how to manage on my own, it’s still very isolating at times, but it has matured me in a lot of ways I guess. It’s a very humbling experience. And lastly, he finds that advantages are outweigh the disadvantages. His words are I can assume that different students from different countries would have different experiences and interpretations of life abroad compared to mine, but as a student from south Mississippi, I really have found a new lease on life after coming here. There are many parallels between the US and the UK, so transitioning into new ways of living has just felt more of an unlearning and relearning process, which I feel has made me more culturally “competent”. My only “disadvantage” regarding that is the idea that sometimes the cultural differences can create confusion and misunderstandings, but I think that’s just natural when you’ve moved 5,000 miles away from where you grew up.
This interview is a little story of life experience that shows that being a student can be challenging and fun even if you live 5000 miles away from the live you once knew, from the people that you were surrender while you grew up. The only one difference between me and this student and that I fell into the category of Home Students and personally I have similar struggles as others, but I can completely agree that in the UK there are some many ways of living, learning and relearning which will transform anyone’s cultural awareness and will teach you how to appreciate little things as they are the ones which matter the most. I hope that this diary unveiled some ‘secrets’ and future students will find them helpful and use them as a guide through their higher educationa journey.
Living through protest and outliving
Tyranny
Protests have been shaping and evolving nations since the dawn of history; tremendous change was instilled in cultural and political philosophies due to the common man and woman wanting what they believed was right. One of those nations was Poland; under the iron fist of the Soviet Union, hidden behind the iron curtain, gone but not defeated. Poland would protest, not with bloodshed or violence, nationwide patriotism would gradually allow the communist opposition politically win against the PZPR in 1989 by signing the ‘Round Table Agreement’1. For the first time since 50 long years, Poland was truly free
Many people bravely fought for their nations’ freedom and got to reap the benefits, one of those being my father; born in 1969 in a harsh communist Poland. Protest was the key catalyst for the evolution of the nation and subsequently, the world. For this part of the magazine; I’ll present what protest means from his personal account.
(K is for my interviewed Father, T is for myself)
T) Why did you protest?
K) Everyone did, everyone wanted to because we had to. There was nothing in shops except pieces of paper scribbled with empty promises of food that would arrive ‘soon’. We protested because there was nothing to eat and the state ignored it.
T) Really? Pieces of paper instead of food?
K) Instead of everything Tomasz, anything money could buy the shops didn’t serve. You’d go to a shop and be surprised you acquired something without standing
By Tomasz Soltysiak
in hour long queues.
T) So you protested due to lack of goods?
K) Plus lack of liberty, rights and freedom. It was different back then as everyone was meant to be the ‘perfect communist’ according to the state. Basically enslave everyone to reach their disturbed utopia, we wanted a free Polska not a slave Polska. So our people protested, what else could we do when we have nothing to lose?
T) No of course I agree, I am proud to know patriotism runs in my blood line. But please explain how the protests looked like?
K) Organised chaos, ZOMO2 erupted chaos to fight against us. We would stop working and ask for our basic rights, for our goods and for our voices to be heard. They would see targets to shoot down and eliminate if not deterred by beatings and arrests. I tell you it was brutal at times.
T) What was ZOMO like?
K) Hell I can’t compare, just pure tyranny I guess? Men in heavy armor and batons who could do anything to anyone. (...)
In tanks and Fiats, always strapped with AK-47. Dantesque scenes but true daily occurrences.
T) Insanity, times have certainly changed for the better since right?
K) Believe that.
Protests have shaped and amalgamated
the Polish nation into a beacon of independence; including the many people that led to the breakthrough of what is right for the common people. A truly inspiring and insightful interview.