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May 12, 2000/7 Iyar 5760, Vol. 52, No.36
Community shamefully silent in Mechanic case
ANN POLUNSKY
Special to Jewish News
The Jewish community has been strangely silent about the Howard Mechanic case. As more and more information comes out showing that Mechanic was the victim of an out-of-control justice system, you would think his community would rally to his side. Not so.
A committee of his friends and admirers who recognize his 30 years of dedicated service to the community has organized a campaign to set him free, seeking a commutation of his sentence by President Clinton.
In the meantime, Howard sits in federal prison serving a sentence he never deserved.
Family approaches to synagogues and Jewish News of Greater Phoenix have been met with delay and indecisiveness. Some have questioned Howard's standing as a Jew because he is not officially affiliated with a synagogue. Although he is not affiliated with a formal Jewish entity, Howard has been an exemplary Jew throughout his life.
In addition to his social activism for such causes as Clean Elections, housing for low-income Valley residents, the Arizona Green Party, Mothers for Clean Water and the Arizona Social Change Fund, he has been a full participant in raising his son, Ari, according to Jewish tradition. One of the more poignant photos of Howard is the proud father standing next to his son at his bar mitzvah.
Jews have long suffered human rights violations in their host countries. The democracy of the free world has allowed us to stand up to the abuses suffered not only by our fellow Jews, but also by other populations affected by discrimination, as Howard has done.
Where is the Jewish community when an honorable Jewish man needs its support? Why is the Jewish community not taking a stand?
There is sufficient evidence to prove that the war Howard and his fellow activists opposed and exposed was a horrible mistake by our government. There is also sufficient evidence to prove that Howard was unjustly convicted of a crime he did not commit. Ultimately, even for those who may think he threw the cherry bomb he is accused of throwing, there can be no doubt that a five-year prison sentence was unjust. He served 4-1/2 months in prison back then; that is more than enough.
The Friends of Howard Mechanic, a group of professionals who know and respect this man, have been doing a valiant job of organizing the community on his behalf. There is a great deal of work to be done. We invite you to get involved. Please contact Sherry Bohlen at 480-497-6541 or send donations to the Howard Mechanic Defense Fund, P.O. Box 27991, Tempe, AZ 85285-7991.
Ann Polunsky is a long-time Phoenix activist and founder of Arizona Action for Soviet Jewry.
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