22 East 40th Street
New York City, New York

10016

Enclosed please find my membership card in the American Civil
Liberties Union. Although T have been a member for many years
IT am resigning because I feel that the A.C.L.U. no longer de-
ends the ultimate freedom - the freedom to live. Your de-
fense of the American Nazi Party's right to free speech and
ssembly is a "cop-out" on arriving at the hard decision of
what should and what should not be defended.

would draw the line at the point where an individual or
group advocates getting rid of other human lives - via death,
ePortation, etc. Since this is what the American Nazi. Party
dvocates, you display much short sightedness in defending
heir freedom of speech, because you become guilty of the
erious offense of not defending the most important freedom -
e freedom to live. I think there is no higher moral
bligation for you than to defend every person's right to
ive.

Though no sur-
vey was con-
ducted, ACLU
officials are
certain Jewish
priorities being what they are, could never allow me to
members were
be a member of an organization such as yours, which is so
the ones who
morally bankrupt in setting the priorities you have chosen
left
in force.
'to f low.
/7
"Although I
have been a
etter to allow those who
donations," says South-
without impinging upon
member
for
many years,
reach racial hate to
field attorney Abe
the sensitivities of oth-
I
am
resigning
because I
expand their venom in
Selesny. "Not anymore.
ers."
feel that the ACLU no
letoric than to be pan-
With Skokie, I tore up
Perhaps, Mr. Alpern
longer defends the ulti-
icked into embarking on
my ACLU card. They
suggests, the ACLU
mate freedom — the
the dangerous course of
took on this cause. Why
could have directly chal-
freedom
to live,"one let-
permitting the govern-
did they have to get
lenged the ordinance as
ter
stated.
ment to decide what its
involved?"
unconstitutional without
ational Presi-
citizens may say and
"It left some scar tis-
representing the Nazis.
dent Nadine
hear."
sue which has not been
It is an option Mr.
Strossen
is Jew-
Mr. Goldberger scoffs
exorcised completely,"
Alpern believes the
ish.
Her
grandfather
was
at those who suggest a
says Bloomfield Hills
ACLU should consider in
a conscientious objector
Jew should not have
attorney Bill Liberson,
the future. Why, he asks,
during World War I. Her
defended the Nazis.
who wrote a letter can-
can't the ACLU repre-
father
was imprisoned by
"One of the great con-
celing his ACLU mem-
sent itself?
the Nazis for his anti-
tributions Jews have
bership in 1977 and.has
"Maybe the ACLU
Hitler activities. Ameri-
Made to American lives
not rejoined. "Even
should start paying
can troops later freed
has been to be fighters
though the rational
attention to the prag-
him
from a German
for freedom," he says.
approach was that which
matic elements as well
death camp.
"That contribution is
was propounded by the
as the principles," says
"My sense of self-iden-
something to be proud
ACLU, the ACLU need
Mr. Alpern, who rejoined
tification
is strong, but I
of."
not be available for every
the Union a few years
was
aware
of human
_ Shortly after Skokie,
cause. Period."
ago. "I still believe
rights
long
before I
the ACLU put together a
Robert Alpern of
America is better off
viewed myself as a Jew,"
brochure, explaining why
Bloomfield Hills still
with them — even with
she told The Reporter,
the organization defends
thinks about Skokie. A
their mistakes — than
the
publication of
free speech for all,
tax attorney, he support-
without them."
Women's
American ORT.
including racists and
ed the ACLU all his
Many Jews were not
Oakland County's
totalitarians. Extend
adult life. He disagreed
satisfied by the court's
President Elsa Shartsis
rinciples of the First
so wholeheartedly with
ruling in the Skokie
also is Jewish. She
Amendment to one
the approach the Union
case. They still were
knows
Jewish people
group, and all groups are
took in handling the case
angry. A massive letter
have faced discrimina-
that he and his wife,
protected. Deny princi-
writing and education
tion.
Marge, parted company
ples to one group and all
campaign failed to boost
"What if someone
with the organization.
groups suffer, they say.
falling membership dur-
won't
defend me because
"I never objected to its
ing Skokie. By the late
To some, these princi-
he disagrees with me, or
goals," Mr. Alpern says.
1970s, national member-
ples still sound like
with who I am?" she
"There are ways to pro-
ship had dropped from
rhetoric.
asks. "This is about
tect constitutional rights
161,880 to 120,720.
"I used to send them

"It is a well-
intentioned
organization, but
sometimes they go
overboard. Skokie
was a terrible
mistake."

— Rabbi Charles Rosenzweig,
director, Holocaust Memorial Center

N

"We follow the
rules that have
been there for 200
years. We are just
trying to defend
everything we
have."

Elsa Shartsis, Oakland County's
ACLU president, attorney

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