Photos

First of all, I have to mention that what you can see in this picture is a reconstruction of the riots that have been taking place during the Martial Law in Poland between the 13th of December 1981 and the 22nd of July 1983.

It was a cold night on the 13th of December 1981, when the Martial Law in Poland was announced. Telephones were cut off so that no-one could communicate. The police-hour was introduced. No-one could walk free between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The Military Council of National Salvation (polish: WRON - Wojskowa Rada Ocalenia Narodowego) has been brought into existence in the name of saving the nation from political opposition which in that time has been a "force" of Independent Trade Union Members. As the government could not solve the problem of economic crisis and the wave of strikes, military actions were considered necessary.
To fight with the political opposition, ZOMO units were formed.
The name ZOMO stands for "Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia" (polish: Zmatoryzowane Odwody Milicji Obywatelskiej) and it's been created as a rapid-responce police force. They are mostly known for infamy gained by brutality and lethal actions.

Today, volunteers from the reconstruction group, create a scene of fight between a ZOMO unit and the opposition to show the "young ones" a piece of history that the elderly Poles would never like to experience again.

One word to explain the title:
The crownless eagle has been an ensign (emblem) of the Communist Era (1945-1989) in Poland. Before and after (today) the White Eagle has been wearing a golden crown.

This is an in-a-nutshell story of a complex part of the History of Poland which later on in 1989, directly lead to end the Communist Era in Poland and later in other European countries.

I was born in June 1982, therefore I would like to dedicate this series to my Parents.