In a rare display of unity tow Republican and five Democratic Senate hopefuls stood in the shadow of the United Nations today and issued a call for all-out support for “Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry,” May 2.
Sen. James L. Buckley (C-R), Representatives Bella Abzug (D). Mario Biaggi (D). and Peter Peyser (R), City Council President Paul O’Dwyer. Assemblyman Andrew Stein, former Attorney General Ramsey Clark and Abe Hirschfeld gathered in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza where the solidarity rally will be held. The session was chaired by Kings County District Attorney Eugene Gold, chairman of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry which is sponsoring the May 2 rally.
On hand also was Aviva Gendin, a 24-year-old Soviet Jew who has not seen her husband Lev for four years, since she was ordered out of Russia and he was forced to remain behind. She is here to rally support for her husband and other Soviet Jews denied the opportunity to emigrate.
The three symbolic figures of the American Revolution and a banner reading “Freedom in ’76 for Soviet Jews” provided a vivid backdrop for the session. Prominent public officials and civic and religious leaders are scheduled to address the Solidarity rally. Last year, more than 150.000 took part. A greater number is expected this year. Similar demonstrations are planned in scores of cities in the U.S. and around the world.
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.
