Solidarity CaliforniaAn organization of political refugees, members of the Solidarity Movement
by Ryszard Nikodem; translated by Artur Zygmont
In the latter part of 1983, a group of Poles began arriving in Southern California. They were political refugees, members of the Solidarity Movement. Some of them had spent time in jail or in internment camps in Poland for their political activity. Here in California, where they were warmly greeted, they wanted to continue the fight against communism, lawlessness and terror.
The initial group included Ryszard Nikodem, Andrzej Tomaszewski, Mieczyslaw Dutkowski, Eugeniusz Brycki, Muzia and Dionezy Rowicki and Henryk Dotczyk. After several stops and starts, a Solidarity group was organized, (July 4, 1984). Andrzej Tomaszewski was the first chairman of the group, which had as its goal the financial and moral support for the Polish Solidarity underground. A secondary goal was enlightening Americans about the situation in Poland.
To raise funds, the exiles organized picnics, balls, book and magazine sales and collections at Polish American churches. This Solidarity organization became part of the Polish American Congress. The exiles also participated in political meetings; worked with other Captive Nations organizations. One highlight was the covering of the famous Hollywood sign with "Freedom Solidarity".
In 1986, Ryszard Nikodem became president. His plans were to organize Solidarity California across the entire stale, in addition to the current group which was headquartered in Orange County. With the assistance of Mieczyslaw Dutkowski, from the Orange group, the pair visited San Diego, Sacramento, Walnut Creek and San Francisco and organized chapters in those cities, as well as in San Jose, Fresno and Santa Barbara. Rev. Leon Juchniewicz from Sacramento was of great assistance and became the group's chaplain.
Mieczyslaw Dutkowski became the next President and Janusz Pakulski from San Francisco and Eugeniusz Grelus from Sacramento became vice presidents.
At this point, the organization had some 200 members, including many Polish - Americans. On learning that Santa Barbara and Yalta were to become sister cities, members staged a protest before the Santa Barbara City Hall. The infamous Yalta agreement was a thorn in Polish consciousness. The police politely but firmly escorted the protestors away from the building, but their point had been made.
Andrzej Tomaszewski and Eugeniusz Brycki began a campaign to help children in Poland. They collected funds, which were then used to organize summer camps for children.
In 1988, Solidarity California hosted a convention of the various chapters around the world. Among the activities was a "Run for Freedom," a 10 and 5 Kilometer Race in Griffith Park. These races continued each November for several years and funds raised were sent to Poland for medical equipment. Richard Trier organized the races.
Many members of organized Polonia were of great help to Solidarity California: Stanislaw and Joanna Grzanka; Zbigniew Szumanski; and Reverends Konrad Urbanowski and Joseph Karp. Solidarny California had receptions, meetings, and lectures for Solidarity activists from Poland such as Kornel Morawiecki, Mr. & Mrs. Gniazd, Marian Jurczyk, Jan Gorny, Andrzej Rozplochowski, Dr. Elzbieta Seferowicz and others.
In 1990, Solidarity California sent cardiology equipment to a Katowice hospital. Doctors from Fresno took the initiative on this action.
In 1991, Lech Walesa, now President of Poland, visited California and had a special private audience with his former comrades.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.