On 21 December 1989, Ceausescu holds a mass rally in Bucharest. His speech is interrupted, showing all viewers the image of a vulnerable dictatorship. Protests start all over the country, including Bucharest.
On 21 December 1989, Ceausescu holds a mass rally in Bucharest. His speech is interrupted, showing all viewers the image of a vulnerable dictatorship. Protests start all over the country, including Bucharest.
2 comments
[Here is Ceausescu’s speech, with English subtitles]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwjPHt-1wsw).
The most important moment during that speech is, of course, its interruption. There are many versions of what happened, but according to dialogues between Securitate troops during those moments, as well as statements of people who took part in this event, the following happened:
Tension was high. Securitate troops were ordered to take firm action so that nothing goes wrong during the speech. The crowd of workers brought to applaud (around 100.000) was thoroughly checked before so that there is no chance any unforeseen situation arises. The streets going into the square were guarded by USLA (Special Anti-terrorist Unit – part of the Securitate).
In the morning, groups of people (some who managed to arrive to Bucharest from Timisoara, but most were citizens of Bucharest) began protesting. As they headed towards Palace Square, where the rally was being held, they, of course, met resistance. The protest was peaceful, the revolutionaries did not attempt to advance. As more and more people turn up (one cadre of USLA eyeballing about 10.000 protesters coming from University Square – a huge overestimation, but it shows how panicked law enforcement was), the Securitate felt the need to scare them off. At some point, one group of protesters did try to advance from Athenee Palace into the square, when USLA used a GELA (grenade with luminous and acoustic effect – a flashbang). The sound of it created panic not only in the crowd of workers, but also law enforcement.
The Army (more specifically UM 02348, Technical equipment section of the Army’s Higher Political Council – institution led by Ceausescu’s brother, Ilie) brought for the rally 4 sound amplification vans. The reason was that in case any danger appears, these vans could play a psychological warfare tape that imitates the sounds of tanks and planes, which would scare the people and empty the Square. When the GELA exploded, Ilie Ceausescu’s subordinates were order to use these tapes.
As it became apparent that the rally was not actually endangered by anything, USLA troops began gathering back the fleeing workers. __Ceausescu’s speech continued for around 15 minutes__, proof that no one in that crowd chanted in protest.
Despite this, the damage was done. Everyone who was watching the live transmission saw Ceausescu’s scared face. Protests broke out all around the country.
In Bucharest, protesters gathered in Romana, University and Union Squares. By 16:00, most gathered in University Square, as it was very close to the Central Committee building where Ceausescu was staying. All streets leading to the CC were blocked by armored units of Securitate and Army. [Here is a video made by Securitate from Intercontinental Hotel showing people being pushed away from the CC and APCs speeding among them]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX4EoPWMJeY). First deaths are recorded when APCs and military trucks run over protesters in front of Dalles Hall.
By the evening, a few thousands of people remained in University Square and built a barricade between themselves and law enforcement. The protests remain peaceful. I will link videos from Paul Cozighian, a film directing student, who managed to capture the events that happened that night (most have automated English subtitles):
-[12:30 – 16:30]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR8s6I5JJz0)
-[21:20 – 22:20]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPkNmuCFmPQ)
At 23:00, law enforcement begin its violent crackdown.
-[23:00 – 23:15]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP07FcUYSrA)
-[23:15 – 23:30]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTH5PCY9jDA)
-[23:30 – 23:38]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr8ejb0GMg0)
-[23:38 – 23:47]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d8lRMzt5N8)
In the evening, Iulian Vlad orders the arrest of 4 dissidents he feared could become leaders of the Revolution: Dumitru Mazilu, Gabriel Andreescu, Silviu Brucan and Mariana Celac. During the night, he was constantly in contact with the Ceausescus.
By midnight, 27 deaths are recorded in Cluj-Napoca and 34 in Bucharest.
During the repression in University Square in the night of 21/22 December, almost 2 million bullets were shot, 50 people were killed, 462 injured and 1245 arrested. Children as young as 12 arrived in Jilava prison, some injured, with broken bones, cracked heads. Everyone arrested went through brutal beatings.
The most memorable moment in the speech “I will give you an extra 100 lei”.