berman@ihopb.UUCP (Rational Chutzpah) (01/24/85)
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In the discussion of the recent federal crackdown on the
church sanctuary movement for Central American refugees,
some knee-jerk Reaganite (sorry, "uninformed citizen") on
the net contended that the refugees were not really in
danger and the whole movement is just a ploy to pressure
the government to change its foreign policy.
Here's what the Wall Street Journal says:
"The Guatemalans began fleeing in late 1981 when the
government stepped up its counterinsurgency campaign
in the Guatemalan highlands, wiping out entire Indian
villages. Refugees say they fled after soldiers killed
their friends and family members even though they
weren't guerillas." -WSJ 1/24/85
The article goes on to point out the difficult conditions
the refugees have faced in Mexico, another reason why they
ought to be given sanctuary in the US. Another reason that
the US government repression of the church sanctuary movement
dishonors our heritage of compassion for the oppressed.
Andy Berman
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"My life is so complicated, it's a good thing I'm such
a simple person that I can understand it"
-Ed Balchowski