[net.religion] Sanctuary, continued

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