A Freedom Assembly for Soviet Jews will take place on the ellipse in Washington June 17 on the eve of the arrival of Soviet Communist Party Secretary Leonid I. Brezhnev, it was announced today by the National Conference on Soviet, Jewry which is the general sponsor of the assembly. A NCSJ spokesman said that the event will represent the concern of millions of Americans for Soviet Jews, and will initiate a week-long series of events around the country.
Richard Maass, chairman of the NCSJ, explained that “Soviet Jews live in a tense and, dangerous atmosphere. Arrests continue, serious harassment endangers lives, and the spectre of a major “show” trial in Minsk, are of grave concern to us. We are aware of the recent suspension of the “diploma tax,” but thousands of Soviet Jews, repeatedly rebuffed, are still not permitted to be reunited with their families in Israel and elsewhere, Naturally, we welcome progress that has been made, especially in regard to increased emigration, but during the week of Brezhnev’s visit we will underscore our commitment to press for the rights of Soviet Jews to emigrate freely and to live as Jews.”
In coordination with the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council, dozens of Eastern seaboard communities will be represented at the assembly. Responsibility for coordinating the assembly in Washington has been undertaken by the Washington Jewish Community Council for the NCSJ. Other organizations involved are the interreligious Task Force on Soviet Jewry and the Academic Committee on Soviet Jewry.
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