1970 Polish protests

1970 Polish protests
Part of the Cold War and anti-communist resistance in Poland (1944–1989)
Zbyszek Godlewski's body carried by demonstrators in Gdynia
Date	14–19 December 1970
Location	Gdańsk, Gdynia, Elbląg, Szczecin
Caused by	Massive increases in the prices of basic foodstuffs
Methods	Demonstrations, Protests, Riots
Resulted in	Government victory Protests dispersed and violently suppressed Władysław Gomułka removed from power as First Secretary of the PZPR
Parties
Polish government Polish Army Citizens' Militia Protesters
Lead figures
Władysław Gomułka Marian Spychalski Józef Cyrankiewicz Wojciech Jaruzelski Tadeusz Tuczapski Zenon Kliszko Grzegorz Korczyński Non-centralized leadership
Units involved
27,000 soldiers 5,000 members of special squads of police 550 tanks 700 armoured personnel carriers Several thousand protesters
Casualties and losses
Several killed and injured Deaths: 44 Injuries: 1,000+ Arrests: 3,000+

The 1970 Polish protests, also known as the December 1970 Events (Polish: Wydarzenia Grudnia 1970), occurred in northern Poland during 14–19 December 1970. The protests were sparked by a sudden increase in the prices of food and other everyday items while wages remained stagnant. Strikes were put down by the Polish People's Army and the Citizen's Militia, resulting in at least 44 people killed and more than 1,000 wounded.