Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

5 Rabbis Released from Jail Renew Protests at the Soviet Embassy

Advertisement

Five rabbis, enroute home from prison after serving 12 days of a 15-day sentence for demonstrating within 500 feet of the Soviet Embassy, renewed their protests there yesterday, but were not arrested again.

Still clad in prison garb, the rabbis read aloud a letter at the Embassy addressed to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. A voice on an intercom informed them that the letter should be mailed. Police made no attempt to arrest the rabbis even though they were again within the area near the Embassy that is forbidden to demonstrators.

The five rabbis were convicted of violating the District of Columbia statute prohibiting such rallies. They chose to do time rather than accept a suspended sentence, probation and a fine as the 37 other rabbis and Lutheran minister Rev. John Steinbruck, who were tried and convicted of the same offense, did. One hundred thirty-two persons have been arrested in the seven planned arrest rallies that began last May.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement