| 20 YEARS SINCE THE ANTI-COMMUNIST RALLIES IN BRASOV (15.11.2007) |
| (2007-11-15) |
| Last updated: 2007-11-15 16:16 EET |
Older Romanians still recall those dramatic days. The events witnessed in Brasov in 1987 must be dusted off, to prevent them slipping into the oblivion of the past. Memory must be regularly refreshed, in order to remain intact. The unprecedented economic crisis during the 80’s in Romania led to the rationing of food, water, heat and electricity. The shortages had a severe impact on the population, while Nicolae Ceausescu and the Communist nomenklatura lived in astonishing luxury. The patience of the Romanian people first ruptured in 1977, when the miners began their first large-scale protests in the country’s post-war history.
The events of 1987 showed that a regime based on terror could no longer be endured. The events of the 16th of November 1987 allowed Romania to claw back some its insulted dignity. The strike, mounted by workers from the Red Flag and Tractorul plants in Brasov, was a great example of courage. It also sounded an alarm in the face of carelessness, lies, selfishness and general destitution.
On the night between the 14th and 15th of November, a labour conflict was declared between workers and managers at the 440 type mould and punching machine section of the Red Flag Truck Plant. The spark that set tempers alight was a dramatic salary reduction, while the Communist press enthusiastically wrote that the working plan had been met. Machine operator Ion Serb was the most respected person at the mould and punching machine section. He served as an example for all his colleagues, though his name is today unknown.
He along with a number of other brave individuals, inspired 15,000 to join in defending their salaries and basic human rights. It’s still worth reflecting on the physical repression of protesters by the authorities. It’s worth reflecting on the significance of 3 to 5 year imprisonments for the trumped-up charges of hooliganism, while others were placed under house arrest. The real meaning of these acts can be seen when we compare the attitude of people who have rediscovered their freedom and the majority, bent on simple conformity.
(Steliu Lambru)
|
2025-04-03
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