Action Alert - 06.15.00

 

Jews around the world, and particularly in the Russian Federation, are deeply concerned about Tuesday’s arrest of Russian Jewish community leader Vladimir Goussinsky in Moscow.

Mr. Goussinsky, who heads the Media-MOST independent media enterprise, enjoys the support and respect of the organized American Jewish community in his leadership role as President of the Russian Jewish Congress, an organization under attack from government-owned media. We seek his immediate release and a clarification of the charges against him. Additional updated information is available on the NCSJ Web site at www.ncsj.org.

Please contact your U.S. Representatives and urge them to support two initiatives underway today.

1. House Concurrent Resolution 352, which could reach the floor of the House of Representatives today. H. Con. Res. 352, introduced last month after the Russian government’s May 11 raid on the Media-MOST headquarters, is sadly prophetic with respect to the crisis of press freedom during the last several days. Urge your Members to vote for this Resolution. 

(Update: The House is expected to vote June 19.)

2. The "Dear Colleague" letter circulated by Representatives Waxman, Lantos and Gejdenson, which will be delivered to President Clinton later today. The letter reflects the same principles embodied in H. Con. Res. 352, supporting the Administration’s efforts and urging the President’s personal intervention. Urge your Members to contact Zahava Goldman in Rep. Waxman’s office (202-225-3976) today to join in this timely appeal. 

(Update: The Waxman letter was sent to the White House June 15 with 52 signatures.)

We will also be sending you a report on the developments and efforts to date. Thank you for your involvement and concern.