People will gather at Capitol Hill’s Polish Home (Dom Polski) on Sunday to mark the death of Poland’s president, Lech Kaczynski, in Saturday’s jetliner crash. Here is a note we received from Debra Markert, president of the Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association:
Seattle has a large and active Polish community, and SGSCA is merely one extension of that. The Polish Home, located on Capitol Hill, will display a flag with a black ribbon and will serve as a hub for those in the community who want to gather in support and sympathy.
The gathering is slated for 1 PM on Sunday. The Polish Home is located at 1714 18th Ave.
UPDATE: We received this photo from the Sunday gathering showing Harriet Wodzin, Treasurer of the Seattle Gdynia Sister City Association, signing letters of condolences to the people of Poland. Photo by Gail Ann Wodzin.
Lech Kaczynski was also an outspoken homophobe as is his twin brother.
Thanks for the note. A few links related to his legacy and gay rights:
NYC Man Protests Polish Pres. For Anti-Gay Speech
http://wcbstv.com/national/lech.kaczynski.gay.2.680408.html
Washington Post notes his attempts to shut down gay parade
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04
This opinion piece says his position on the parade wasn’t anti-gay
http://www.rferl.org/content/The_Kaczynski_Legacy/2009009.ht
It’s certainly no secret that he was an unpopular politician. From my standpoint, I’m not sure gathering in support is adulation of Kaczynski so much as recognition of the event. When a country loses so many officials on their way to such a solemn ceremony, it’s difficult not to pause and mourn. This is a huge loss for Poland on an already sad day in their history.
If Putin had the plane crashed, he can now install a more pro Russian govt — oh no, not the KGB again …