These people here breath with freedom, a freedom that is young, hence also vehement and untamed. These people here are convinced that here, in this place, only they are the sovereign authority and only they can set the rules for discussions. The various proposals that are and will be put forward here often originate outside this room, in the lobby, in the kitchen, behind the scenes, but nobody can possibly impose any of them. The Congress does not recognise authorities or dominations. […] These people here imbue activists with authority and take it back from them. […] These people here are fond of being radical, to the point and concise.

Delegates gathered in Gdańsk at the 1st Congress of Delegates of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” extend greetings and words of support to workers of Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Romania, Hungary and all nations of the Soviet Union

As the first independent trade union in our post-war history we are deeply aware of our interlocking fates. We assure that, contrary to lies spreading in your countries, we are a genuine, 10-million-strong employee organisation set up as a result of worker strikers. We aim to fight for improved living standards of all working people. We support those of you who decided to embark on the difficult road of struggle for a free trade union movement. We believe that your and our representatives will soon be able to meet with a view to exchanging union experiences.

A dangerous and provocative document.