A massive campaign aimed at removing the shackles from the scores of Soviet Jewish “Prisoners of Conscience” has been launched by the 85 constituent agencies of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry. Eugene Gold, New York Conference chairman, announced that the campaign is keyed to the fifth anniversary (June 15) of the mass arrest of Soviet Jews that resulted in the infamous Leningrad trials in December 1970. Gold said the drive will be highlighted by a rally in Foley Square in Manhattan on June 13 at which an “Amnesty Appeal” that calls on the Soviets to grant freedom to the Soviet Jewish prisoners, will be released. He noted that on June 15, 1970, some 20 Soviet Jews were arrested, allegedly for attempting to hijack a Soviet airliner. Of these, only Sylva Zalmanson has since been released–after world-wide protests on her behalf.
The situation in the camps has become intolerable, he said. The prisoners are “guilty” of nothing more than a desire to be repatriated to their homeland in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He said eyewitness testimony has been received recently that substantiates the reports of the “physical and mental torture to which these courageous people have been subjected.”
OTHER DEMONSTRATIONS PLANNED
It was in Foley Square five years ago, Gold observed, that the first rally was held to protest the outrageous crackdown against the 20 Soviet Jews. He said simultaneous demonstrations will take place on June 15 at the Soviet Mission to the UN in Manhattan, at the Soviet compound in Glen Cove, L.I., and at the official Soviet residence in Riverdale.
Hundreds of people–representing the member agencies of the Greater New York Conference–will take part in the demonstrations, Gold said, “to let the Soviets–here and in the Kremlin–know that the ‘Prisoners of Conscience’ will not be forgotten, and that there will be no let-up in efforts to secure their freedom.” Many are using the theme “Honor the Father,” including the Long Island event, which will have August Stern, son of prisoner Dr. Mikhail Stern, as its guest.
Other activities being planned as part of the campaign on behalf of the prisoners include: the introduction in the New York City Council of a resolution demanding that the Soviet Union open the door to freedom for those Jews held captive in labor camps solely for the “crime” of wanting to exercise their human rights. One June 14, synagogues throughout the area will be devoting special prayers on behalf of the prisoners. A petition drive by some 30 New York area Congressmen who each have “adopted a prisoner,” asking for the immediate release of the prisoners.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
