Solidarity’s Lech Walesa to speak at MSU Oct. 17

10/04/01 Bozeman - Lech Walesa, the former Polish shipyard electrician who inspired the “Solidarity” social revolution that helped overthrow communism in Eastern Europe, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the campus of Montana State University.

His speech, “Democracy:  The Never Ending Battle,” is free and open to the public as a service of the MSU Leadership Institute.

The first democratically-elected president of Poland, Walesa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his courageous and successful attempt for freedom. Walesa had been a dissenter from government policy for many years before the infamous Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland in 1980, a violent strike by workers protesting an increase in the price of food set by Poland’s Communist government. The strike showed signs of failing when Walesa scaled the shipyard walls and delivered an inspiring speech from atop a bulldozer. Walesa’s passion inspired the linking of workers in factories across the country, ultimately leading to the formation of Solidarity, the union that became a social revolution.

Walesa’s efforts led to his selection as Man of the Year by Time magazine and newspapers throughout the world.

In 1982 Walesa, along with thousands of his countrymen, was arrested. Solidarity, then an underground organization, ultimately overthrew Poland’s Communist Party. In 1990,Walesa became the first democratically-elected president. He made Poland into a model of economic and political reform for the rest of Eastern Europe.

Walesa now heads the Lech Walesa Institute, an organization aiming to advance the ideals of democracy and free market reform throughout Eastern Europe and the world.

Solidarity’s Lech Walesa to speak at MSU Oct. 17

10/04/01    Contact: Carina Beck  (406) 994-3730

Bozeman ---Lech Walesa, the former Polish shipyard electrician who inspired the “Solidarity” social revolution that helped overthrow communism in Eastern Europe, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the campus of Montana State University.

His speech, “Democracy:  The Never Ending Battle,” is free and open to the public as a service of the MSU Leadership Institute.

The first democratically-elected president of Poland, Walesa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his courageous and successful attempt for freedom. Walesa had been a dissenter from government policy for many years before the infamous Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland in 1980, a violent strike by workers protesting an increase in the price of food set by Poland’s Communist government. The strike showed signs of failing when Walesa scaled the shipyard walls and delivered an inspiring speech from atop a bulldozer. Walesa’s passion inspired the linking of workers in factories across the country, ultimately leading to the formation of Solidarity, the union that became a social revolution.

Walesa’s efforts led to his selection as Man of the Year by Time magazine and newspapers throughout the world.

In 1982 Walesa, along with thousands of his countrymen, was arrested. Solidarity, then an underground organization, ultimately overthrew Poland’s Communist Party. In 1990,Walesa became the first democratically-elected president. He made Poland into a model of economic and political reform for the rest of Eastern Europe.

Walesa now heads the Lech Walesa Institute, an organization aiming to advance the ideals of democracy and free market reform throughout Eastern Europe and the world.

A few tickets are left for a fundraising dinner with Walesa prior to the speech. Tickets for the dinner are $60. Proceeds will go towards the MSU Leadership Institute. Guests will have an opportunity to meet and visit with Walesa prior to his lecture. Seating is limited. For more information, contact the Institute at 994-3720.

The MSU Leadership Group is founded by the Associated Students of Montana State University to provide leadership opportunities and inspirations for MSU students.

.

The MSU Leadership Group is founded by the Associated Students of Montana State University to provide leadership opportunities and inspirations for MSU students.

Send questions or comments to Carol Schmidt: cschmidt@montana.edu. Or you can send letters to Carol Schmidt, MSU Communications Services, 416 Culbertson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.

Go to feature stories index arranged by category.

You are the 7015th person to access this page.