But even this small experience gave to them a sturdy and abiding taste for the vigorous progress possible in states affording freedom to its citizens. And so. when the Russians moved against them. and the Allies. preoccupied with the menace of Hitler. did not help them. the brave people of the Baltic resisted in spite of the overwhelming odds. As a result. massive. incredibly cruel deportations took place during 1940 and 1941. Twentyfour years ago tonight. for example. about 10.000 Estonian men. women. and children were arrested and shipped in cattle cars to Siberia and northern Russia. From Latvia. 15.600 were similarly shipped off to forced labor. enslavement. ruination. Lithuania. during the week of June 1421. lost 34.260 compatriots to the Red wastelands. The survivors of these and the other great deportations were few. Let the people of the Baltic and their heirs in this country know that the people of the United States have not forgotten them. nor the injustices done to them. Let them know we recognize their present oppression. understand that free speech. press. assembly. and religion are still systematically denied to them.
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deportations