Vladimir Slepak. a radio and television engineer. Maria. a physician. and their two sons. Aleksandr and Leonid. applied in 1970 to emigrate to Israel where they would join Marias mother. Their request was refused and in 1976. Vladimir joined the Moscow Helsinki Monitoring Group which speaks in defense of Soviet citizens whose rights are violated or denied. In 1977. Aleksandr was finally allowed to emigrate. but the rest of the family could not leave. Thus in 1978. the Slepaks hung a banner from their balcony which said. "Let Us Go to Our Son in Israel." For this action. Vladimir was convicted of "malicious hooliganism" and was sentenced to a 5year term of internal exile in Siberia. Marias sentence was suspended. but she chose to Join Vladimir. Their son Leonid was allowed to emigrate in In December of 1982. Vladimir completed his sentence and returned to Moscow where he and Maria renewed their efforts to reunite with their family in Israel. It is most important that we. as those who are fortunate enough to have the freedom to exercise our basic human rights. do not forget those who lack that freedom.
Keywords matched
emigrate