Andrei Sakharov. and Elena Bonner. to name a few. Weve been personally assured by Elena Friedman. Idas sister. that word does filter back to the dissidents that they have not been forgotten by the world outside their jail cells. and that this knowledge causes them to take heart and continue to hope for their freedom. and the freedom of all other Soviet citizens who desire only to be permitted to retain and practice their beliefs. or alternatively. to be permitted to emigrate to a country which will respect their views. Our activities must not cease with Idas release. We must continue to press the Soviet Government to allow her to emigrate to Israel. a request initiated in 1971 when she first applied for an exit visa. This application marked the beginning of her harassment by Soviet authorities. as it does in almost every case. We must continue to voice our protests to the Soviet Union against its policy of routinely denying exit visas for Jews. and using the visa application as a starting point for escalating harassment of the individual and the community.*
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