Warsaw has honored Lane Kirkland, one of the American allies who supported Poland’s path to freedom. A new square in Żoliborz is intended to remind future generations of a man who, during difficult times in Polish history, stood with those who fought for freedom and democracy.
On May 29, 2026, a ceremony marking the symbolic unveiling of Lane Kirkland Square took place in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district. The event, held under the patronage of the Mayor of Warsaw, was graced by the presence of U.S. Ambassador Thomas Rose, representatives of the Warsaw authorities, and members of the Board of Directors of Polish-American Freedom Foundation and Kirkland Program scholarship holders.
Lane Kirkland, an American labor union activist, served as president of the American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) from 1979 to 1995 and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Polish-American Enterprise Fund. “(…) He supported Solidarity and Poland’s path to freedom from the very first days of our organized struggle in 1980. (…) I am glad that both during his lifetime and after his death, we are able to appreciate his unique merits. (…) I believe that thanks to this, we will bring the figure of this outstanding labor leader and friend of Poland closer to future generations of Poles and residents of the capital,” wrote President Lech Wałęsa, a friend of Lane Kirkland, in a letter addressed to the participants.
U.S. Ambassador to Poland Thomas Rose, on behalf of President Donald Trump, expressed gratitude for the exceptional tribute to “an extraordinary friend and supporter of Poland.” “When the heroes of ‘Solidarity’ risked their livelihoods, their freedom, and even their lives to throw off the communist yoke, Lane Kirkland was the first to stand by their side and offer more than just words. He took action. He was the driving force behind the fundraising, financial, political, and moral support that sustained the movement during its darkest days,” Ambassador Rose recalled.
In recognition of contributions to Poland of Lane Kirkland, who passed away in 1999, one of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation’s scholarship programs, modeled on the American Fulbright Program, bears his name. Since 2000, this program has hosted in Poland over 1,000 people from Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, who, through their studies, learn about Poland’s experiences with political transformation and European integration.
The event was held under the patronage of Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw, who also sent a letter to its participants. “This is an important moment for Warsaw and Żoliborz—a district that has always been a space for civic engagement, dialogue, and concern for the common good,” said City Secretary Maciej Fijałkowski. “By naming the square after Lane Kirkland, we pay tribute not only to an outstanding friend of Poland, but also to the values he represented—solidarity, democracy, and responsibility for the community,” stated Maciej Fijałkowski. He was echoed by Agata Wierzbowska-Miazga, President of the Leaders of Change Foundation—the organization that manages the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program.
The event was attended by representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Poland, representatives of the City of Warsaw and the Żoliborz district, including Mayor Renata Kozłowska, as well as members of the Board of Directors and the team of Polish-American Freedom Foundation, along with Board Chairman Andrew Nagorski, President and CEO Jerzy Koźmiński, and the Leaders of Change Foundation team, as well as a large number of Lane Kirkland Program scholarship holders.
Lane Kirkland Square is located in Żoliborz, on Władysława Broniewskiego Street, between Grunwaldzki Square and the Żoliborz Gardens.
