Last Sunday, January 13, during the finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity – the biggest Polish annual charity event – in Gdańsk, a Polish city known as the cradle of “Solidarity” movement, its Mayor, Paweł Adamowicz was brutally attacked and stabbed by knife in front of thousands of citizens. After striking blows, the attacker turned to the gathered crowd and shouted a short speech full of hate and accusations against Civic Platform – the political party to which Adamowicz belonged up to 2015.
Despite doctors’ struggles it was not possible to save the Mayor’s life – on Monday afternoon they informed public opinion about his death.
Paweł Adamowicz had been a part of Polish politics and ruled Gdańsk for many years. He didn’t agree on xenophobia, homophobia, racism, nationalism and aggression. He was able to stand with the victims. He stood undoubtedly for integration and openness for refugees and migrants. He showed respect towards people from other environments than his own. Being many times the aim of threats he distinctly protested against hate speech.
This brutal attack on his life followed directly his speech to happy and smiling citizens of his city, in which he thanked them for their generosity and mass participation in charity for sick children in need. His last words were: “It’s time to share good.”
We connect in pain with the family and friends of Mayor Adamowicz, with citizens of Gdańsk and all the Polish people shook by this tragedy.
Our thoughts are with all Polish citizens who want to commemorate Mayor Adamowicz and go out on the streets in silent protest marches against hate and aggression of which he became a victim. Today we say along with all of them: No more aggression, no more hate.
By DiEM25/Razem

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