The Region - News from Feb. 27, 1987

In a show of international solidarity, members of B’nai B’rith gathered in Los Angeles and Orange counties to protest the Soviet government’s policy of refusing Russian Jews the right to emigrate. The rallies were two of several gatherings held throughout California, the United States and 43 other countries to put pressure on the Soviet Union for the release of more Jews. More than 200 Jews and others assembled in the Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza to read a list of some of the 12,000 known Russian “refuseniks” who have been denied permission to leave Russia. In a small rally on the City Hall steps, Mayor Tom Bradley and county Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Antonovich proclaimed a solidarity day with human rights groups that are calling attention to the plight of Russian Jews. “They (the Soviet government) are holding hostage those who are refuseniks or have a legitimate wish to leave that country, despite all the treaties that have been signed,” Bradley said.