Lindsay Asked by Protesting Teachers to Ban Soviet Performance in Nyc

Fourteen teachers at Walton High School in the Bronx have petitioned Mayor John V. Lindsay to ban the Carnegie Halll performances, scheduled for Jan. 28-Feb. 6, of the Siberian Dancers and Singers of Omsk “in light of the Soviet Union’s actions towards its Jewish population and its recent “mock trials.” The plea was signed by William Leibner of Nanuet, N.Y., representing Educators for the Survival of Soviet Jewry, an ad hoc group. He advised Lindsay that in the past “you have acted on moral principles in banning George Wallace from Shea Stadium and now we are asking for a similar ban by you of Soviet cultural activities in this city.” Leibner conceded to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that Lindsay had later regretted banning the proposed rally by the segregationist Alabama Governor: but he said it was Lindsay’s official action that counted. The petition added to the Mayor that “you have also frequently used your prerogative to abstain demonstratively from unwelcome official ceremonies involving foreign representatives.” Leibner told the JTA he was referring to visitors like King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The teacher said all 14 of the signers of his petition were Jewish, but that non-Jews as well at 40 local high schools had signed pleas that were being forwarded by him to the Kremlin.