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Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Lech Walesa Speaks October 12

Lech Walesa, Peace Prize winner and founder of Poland’s Solidarity Labor Movement, will speak Friday, October 12, at 7:30 pm in Laxson Auditorium. Walesa is the fifth Nobel Peace Prize winner in four years to speak as part of the President’s Lecture Series.

Walesa directs the Lech Walesa Institute, whose aim is to advance the ideals of democracy throughout the world. He will speak on his continuing crusade against communism.

In 1980, Walesa, an electrician, led the solidarity movement, which evolved dramatically from a shipyard labor strike to a social revolution. The Polish government declared martial law in 1981, and Walesa, along with thousands of Solidarity members, was arrested. After his release from prison in 1982, Walesa led the movement as an underground organization; Solidarity was officially outlawed by the government.

In 1983, Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Polish government re-legalized Solidarity and invited it to join the Communist Party in forming a coalition. In 1990, Walesa became Poland’s first democratically elected president. His term in office set Poland firmly on the path to becoming a free market democracy, and sparked fundamental democratic changes in Eastern Europe.

Walesa’s visit is co-sponsored by the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, AT&T Wireless, Associated Students, City of Chico, Butte College, and Chico Performances. }