During the debates over Solidarity's tactics, people were not just exchanging views. In some cities, a deepening gap arose between the union's generally moderate regional branches and more radical groups. The latter believed that a clear schedule of operations should be drawn up, culminating in a general strike; in addition, they also thought there should be demonstrations, a centralized decision-making process, specific preparations for the active defense of striking enterprises, impressive events, a more aggressive propaganda campaign, and efforts to influence the mood among the rank and file who were implementing martial law, particularly those in the military. “We should show ourselves,” said Adam Borowski of MRKS in an interview published in May 1982. “We should show that we are here, that we represent a force, that we are organized. Because the government is not afraid of an inert mass.” People in many Solidarity circles were dismayed at the lack of decisive actions and that people were not encouraged to participate. This sentiment was apparent not only among those directly involved in the underground, but also among people who had decided to wait it out.

As the research to date and known documents show, two of the groups who were most vocal in expressing their discontent were the MRKS in Warsaw and a group in Wrocław centered on Kornel Morawiecki. (Morawiecki was known for his radicalism, which he expressed, for example, in his autumn 1981 text “Appeal to Soviet Soldiers Stationed in Poland.”) Radical views, like the ones espoused by these two groups, could undoubtedly be found everywhere, but it is difficult to say anything certain about their reach, or their social and geographic distribution. In any case, an analysis of the collective forms of expressing dissent, such as strikes or demonstrations, does not indicate a significant increase in the number of participants. Nevertheless, the events held on the monthly “anniversaries” of the declaration of martial law on the thirteenth of every month were better attended in March or April than in January. But even if approximately the same number of people took part in specific activities, monthly “anniversary” events were organized throughout Poland beginning in February. Thus, the total number of people engaged in this type of protest was significantly greater than it had been at first.