On October 8, 1982, the Polish government announced a ban on the Solidarity trade union, which had emerged as a significant political force opposing the communist regime in Poland. The decision to outlaw Solidarity and all other trade unions was made during a period of Martial Law, which had been declared by General Wojciech Jaruzelski in December 1981 in response to growing domestic unrest, economic hardship, and the desire for political reforms. This action was primarily motivated by the government's intent to suppress any forms of organized opposition that could threaten its authority and to regain control over the country's political landscape.

The Solidarity union initially began as a labor movement in August 1980, advocating for workers' rights and greater political freedoms. With Lech Wałęsa as one of its prominent leaders, it quickly gained millions of members, becoming the first independent trade union in the Eastern Bloc. The ban was a tactical maneuver by the government to not only curb the activities of Solidarity but also to dissuade other potential movements from rising up. Military forces were often deployed to ensure compliance and any dissenters faced imprisonment or other forms of repression.

The banning of Solidarity marked a turning point for opposition in Poland, as it severely limited the effectiveness of collective bargaining and labor rights that had once been gaining momentum. Despite this, underground movements continued their struggle against the regime, and the resilience of the Polish people contributed to a gradual erosion of communism in Eastern Europe. Events would later culminate in the re-emergence of Solidarity in the late 1980s and the eventual fall of the communist government in Poland, demonstrating the long-term effects of the resistance that began during this period.