Radom Riots (1976)

Thu Jun 24, 1976

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Image: Workers’ protests in June 1976 in Radom. [tvpworld.com]

The Radom Riots began in Poland on this day in 1976 when tens of thousands of people began protesting and rioting in response to government increases in the price of food, chanting “We want bread and freedom” and fighting with police. This uprising took place in the context of social unrest throughout the country.

That morning, workers at multiple factories across Radom went on strike. By 11 am, thousands of protesters surrounded an administrative building in the city.

After waiting for an official decision on the issue of food increases for several hours, the crowd broke into the building, which had been evacuated, looting and setting it on fire and barricading the surrounding streets.

Because the state did not plan on Radom having an uprising of this size, police forces were initially overwhelmed and reinforcements did not arrive until later that afternoon.

Approximately 20,000 people battled with police forces. 198 people were wounded, 634 arrested, and several were killed. A few weeks after the uprising, a Roman Catholic priest died after being beaten by police, having joined the rioters and criticized the government in his sermons.

Despite the government crackdown, the price raises were reversed within 24 hours. The 1976 workers’ protest against official economic policy was a watershed moment in dissent against the Polish People’s Republic.