The Polish flag last week became a heartbreaking symbol of the profound differences dividing the country. In the port city of Gdansk a few hundred people joined the official May Day parade and unfurled a long banner proclaiming SOLIDARITY IS FIGHTING. Suddenly flag-carrying onlookers, in reality plainclothes police, waded into the intruders, using the flagstaffs as clubs. They were quickly followed by ZOMO riot police and water cannons. Later in the day, other illegal demonstrations turned into full-blown street fights between young protesters and ZOMO; scores were injured.
In Warsaw 7,000 Solidarity supporters gathered outside the church of St. Stanislaw Kostka,...
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