More Than 150,000 Jews, Non-Jews March in Support of Soviet Jewry

More than 150,000 persons–Jews and non-Jews, young and old–marched down Fifth Avenue today to express their support for the efforts of Soviet Jews to emigrate to Israel. Thousands of others lined the parade route from 72nd Street to 47th Street where the marchers turned east for a massive rally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across from the United Nations.

The annual "Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry" is sponsored here by the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry. Other events were held across the country under the auspices of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry. Kings County District Attorney Eugene Gold, chairman of the GNY CSJ, said the demonstration was a "tremendous gathering of Jews and non-Jews, Blacks and whites" in opposition to the oppression of Soviet Jews.

Mayor Abraham Beame, who was the principle speaker, last week received a replica of the Soviet Jewry "Freedom Flag" that was recently smuggled out of the USSR. The flag was displayed at the demonstration.

A large blue banner urging "Freedom Now" led off the parade followed by three youths representing the "Spirit of ’76" and carrying the flag of the American Revolution. They were followed by another banner pledging "Solidarity With Soviet Jewry" and youths dressed in Soviet "Prisoner of Conscience" uniforms. Many marchers carried pictures of Soviet Jewish POCs.

The marchers represented synagogues, Jewish organizations and themselves. There were also many Christians in the march. Some of the participants carried such signs as "Let My People Go," "We Shall Not Be Silenced," and "Let My Fellow Jews Emigrate." One youth carried a sign saying "Mother Russia–I’d Rather be an Orphan."

MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FROM FORD, OTHERS

Many families marched together holding young children by the hand or pushing baby carriages. Most marchers were silent, but some sang Hebrew songs or shouted slogans including one that has been the anthem of these marches–"One, two three, four, open up the iron door; five, six, seven, eight, let our people emigrate."

A message of support from President Ford was read to the rally by Richard Rosenbaum. New York State Republican Party chairman. Messages were also sent by Cardinal Cooke, AFL-CIO president George Meany and other prominent figures.

Last week, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution urging the Soviet Union to "remove all obstacles to free emigration of Soviet Jews and others who wish to live in other countries." The resolution, introduced by Rep. Bella Abzug (D-L NY) and co-sponsored by 26 other members of the New York delegation in the House, was in conjunction with "Solidarity Sunday."

The plight of Soviet Jewry was also discussed Friday by Israeli Ambassador Chaim Herzog at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Noting that last year the Soviet Union attended the Helsinki conference and signed an agreement undertaking to be forthcoming in dealing with the problem of the reunification of families, the envoy declared: "I am sorry to report that since the signing of that agreement there has been a marked deterioration in the situation of Soviet Jews and the campaign of harassment of those who have applied for permission to immigrate to Israel has been intensified."

FIVE BOMBS EXPLODE IN MANHATTAN

Several hours before the parade began, five bombs went off in Manhattan. A telephone call to the news media said the pipe bombs were planted by the Jewish Armed Resistance Strike Unit "as a protest against the treatment of Soviet Jews."

One bomb went off in the rear of the UN library: another at the Four Continents Book Shop which sells Soviet publications; another at the Communist Party headquarters, and two others at bank branches. There were no injuries and damages were confined to broken glass.

Gold stressed that the marchers today wanted to achieve their objectives by peaceful means. However, he refused to comment on the bombings until the police had determined who had actually committed them. Meanwhile, the FBI was also called in to investigate.

In another development, the NCSJ reported that it received an open letter from 32 Soviet Jewish activists asserting that Col. Yefim Davidovich, who died in Minsk April 24, was "killed by organs of the KGB, because of his struggle to emigrate to Israel."

In a strongly worded letter they linked Davidovich’s death to detente. "Gentlemen from the West, with beautiful souls, here it is," the activists said. "Your detente in action, here it is, the spirit of Helsinki. Who will be the next victim? If the butchers are not stopped today, then tomorrow many people won’t be able to escape from their clutches."