Vanessa Gera, Author at Valley News

In this photo taken on May 15, 2019, Barbara Borowiecka, a survivor of alleged abuse as a minor by a prominent Solidarity-era priest gestures during an interview with The Associated Press. A documentary film with testimony by victims of clerical abuse in Poland is so harrowing that it has forced an unprecedented reckoning with the problem in one of Europe’s most deeply Catholic societies. In December, Borowiecka, 62, told Polish media about being abused when she was 11 by Henryk Jankowski, a prominent prelate in Lech Walesa’s anti-communist Solidarity movement in Gdansk, where a monument of him stood. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

‘Revolution’ as Poland confronts priestly abuse

by Vanessa Gera Associated PressMay 25, 2019

WARSAW, Poland — One victim spoke out, and then another, and another. A statue of a pedophile priest was toppled in Gdansk, put back by his supporters, and finally dismantled for good. A feature film about clerical abuse was a box office hit.Poland…

Tourists visit the Pinkas synagogue in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. A unique collection of some 4,500 drawings by children who were interned at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during the Holocaust now displayed in the Pinkas Synagogue, still attracts attention even after 75 years since their creation. The drawings depict the everyday life as well hopes and dreams of returning home. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

World Remembers Holocaust

by Vanessa Gera Associated PressJanuary 27, 2019

Poland Arrests Chinese Tech Executive

by Vanessa Gera Associated Press, and Kelvin Chan Associated PressJanuary 11, 2019

Former Auschwitz prisoners remember those killed by Nazi Germany at the execution wall at the former Auschwitz death camp on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Oswiecim, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

World Remembers Holocaust

by Vanessa Gera Associated Press, and Matthew Lee Associated PressJanuary 27, 2018

In this photo taken on Saturday, July 1, 2017, women walk by a poster advertising U.S. President Donald Trump's speech, that reads "Donald Trump. First Public Appearance in Europe", in Warsaw, Poland. President Donald Trump is breaking tradition by visiting Poland, an ex-communist country in central Europe, before making a presidential visit to longtime allies Britain, France and Germany. The White House has stressed Poland’s importance as a loyal NATO ally and its potential as an energy partner as reasons for the visit, which he will make Thursday, July 6. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)

Poland 1st: Why Trump Visits Ex-Communist Nation Before UK

by Vanessa Gera Associated PressJuly 3, 2017

This picture taken on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016 shows the crumbling hulk of the Hotel Roma in Amatrice, central Italy, where a strong quake had hit a few hours earlier. Strong aftershocks rattled residents and rescue crews alike Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, as hopes began to dim that firefighters would find any more survivors from Italy's earthquake. (Massimo Percossi/ANSA via AP)

Eat Hearty To Benefit Earthquake Recovery

by Vanessa Gera Associated PressAugust 30, 2016