THE MARCH ON THE U.N.
During the 1950’s and
60’s, Lithuania was less than a blip on the radar screen of the
free world. Yes, most of the western
powers had made it known that they didn’t recognize the Baltic nations’ forcible
incorporation into the Soviet
Union. And every year, on
February 16, the Federal government, and most of the governors of US states
that had a significant Lithuanian population, would issue eloquently-worded
decrees in support of Lithuania and her people.
None of this had any practical effect, however; the Soviets just
shrugged – Lithuania’s absorption was a done deal.
The American general
public knew even less about Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia than did their representatives in government. Seldom did any of the major newspapers print
anything about the situation in those countries, and the circumstances of their
peoples. Their story wasn’t “hot” or
sensational enough to warrant the effort of reportage.
As the 25th
anniversary of the Soviet takeover approached, there could be no doubt that the
Soviets were planning a big “celebration” in which the unfortunate Lithuanian
populace would be expected to “joyfully” participate. Tony Snieckus was certain that It was
important to counter that propaganda, and had confidently expected that
“senior” members of the Lithuanian-American community would address the
question and devise a suitable plan.
However, as time passed without a signal from others, he discussed with
a few friends, the possibility of arranging a demonstration that would
dramatically draw the world’s attention to the plight of those prisoner
countries. The group considered an idea that had been percolating in the back
of Tony’s mind for the past year.
Anthony Snieckus is a
first-generation Lithuanian-American, whose parents imbued him and his older
brother, Ed, with a deep love and respect for the mother country. Tony sang in the parish choir of Annunciation Church in Brooklyn, belonged to the Knights of Lithuania, assisted his friends Romas Kezys and Tony
Mazeika with some announcing chores in the start-up of a Lithuanian-language
radio program, and was active in numerous other events large and small. Now
retired, he travels extensively and maintains a world-wide correspondence with
a large circle of acquaintances and friends.
Romas Kezys came to the
United States after World War II, as part of the “second wave” of immigration,
and is well-known as having been the voice of New York’s Lithuanian radio
program, Laisves Ziburys, for more than 30 years, and as the genial master of
ceremonies at many a Lithuanian event.
He and his wife Daiva only recently retired from the radio program, but
Romas continues his work as principal of a long-established and successful
travel agency specializing in the Baltics, “Vytis Travel”.
Anthony Mazeika’s family
came to New York from Pennsylvania when he was young, and the entire family were
active members of the Lithuanian community.
A successful business representative, he belonged to the Knights of
Lithuania, participated, with Romas and Daiva Kezys, in the start-up of the
“Laisves Ziburys – Lithuanian World Review” radio program, and was always
active in Lithuanian affairs.
Algirdas Budreckis had
worked as a newspaper reporter, was a member associate in VLIK – Vyriausiasis
Lietuvos Islaisvinimo Komitetas – the Supreme Committee to Restore Lithuanian
Independence – is the respected author of several history
books, and is credited as a historian having contributed to the “Encyclopedia
Lituanica”.
These few were joined by
Juozas Miklovas, a recent arrival from Lithuania, and the Right Rev. Msgr. John Balkunas, an
influential member of the Lithuanian clergy.
This group became the executive coordinators of an effort that
eventually entailed a great deal of time, work and enthusiasm, and culminated
in an event that received wide press
coverage in the United States and Canada.
In Spring 1965,
representatives of all Lithuanian organizations, from both layers of
immigration, the “first-wave” and the “dipukai”, were invited to a meeting
during which the proposal was put to them:
Thousands of Balts rallying in Madison Square Garden, then marching en masse to the United Nations,
appealing to the free world on behalf of
the captive Baltic Nations. The idea was
accepted, volunteers came forward, VLIK allowed the use of their office space,
a bank account was opened to receive donations.
A full-page ad was
contracted for the New York Times, both the New York and Paris editions,
on Sunday, November 7, 1965, titled “An Appeal to the Conscience of the United
Nations”, and signed by the Committee to Restore Lithuania’s Independence, inviting public participation in a rally that was
to take place at Madison Square Garden on November 13th.
Although
the organizers later learned that a copy of the ad had within a month found its
way covertly to activist circles in Lithuania, few of the general populace ever knew about this event. Certainly it was not the sort of story that
the Communists would publish in their censored newspapers, and they naturally
did their level best to suppress all knowledge of it.
Approximately 14,000
persons of Baltic heritage, mostly Lithuanians but including several hundred
Estonians and a thousand Latvians, came to Madison Square Garden in Manhattan,
NY by bus, train, car and on foot, from all over New York, from New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and more distant places,
many of them proudly dressed in their national costume. An orchestra led by Vytautas Strolia, a
member of the prominent family of Lithuanian musicians, opened the Rally with
four national anthems, presented in alphabetical order : America, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The
assemblage joined the soloists in singing, and when they got to ‘Lietuva Tėvyne Mūsų’ the Garden actually thundered. The Invocation was delivered by Rev. Raymond J. Swords, S.J., president of Holy Cross College; master of
ceremonies was Mr. Sidney Hook, a well-known conservative philosopher; speakers
included Sen. Karl Mundt of South Dakota and Congressman John Rooney of Brooklyn, New York. The
gathering was entertained by folk dance groups performing, among other works,
the “Malunas”, (Windmill) which made a
great impression on the Garden’s regular security force. Tony Snieckus read the rally’s formal
Declaration of Purpose and Resolution; Algirdas Budreckis then addressed the
assembly and called for its acceptance, which followed without opposition.
At the conclusion of the
ceremonies, all participants left the Garden bearing their assortment of
banners, flags and placards, proceeding cross-town to the U.N. complex. The “parade”, escorted by mounted and
motorcycle police, and led by a Lithuanian band from Worcester, Massachusetts, gave some bystanders the idea that the circus had
come to town, and tied up New York City traffic north- and south-bound for miles. Upon reaching the U.N. building, however, it
was evident that, contrary to expectations and prior agreements, the police had
decided to limit access and would not permit the throng to enter the U.N.
grounds. A compromise was negotiated,
which permitted the lead flag-bearers for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, led by Messrs. Mazeika and Snieckus, to approach the building, at which point the
flags of the three nations were dipped toward the U.N., signifying that the
doors of the world’s premier organization were closed to them.
The media, TV and print,
lavished attention on the day’s events and that helped to build sympathy and
good will for the so-called “Captive Nations”.
The Soviet celebration of 25 years of “liberation” (read
“occupation”) had at least been
countered by the free demonstration of truth by genuinely free citizens. The United Nations, an organization in which
the Soviets wielded a veto, made no move whatsoever, and the Baltic countries
remained under Soviet domination for another 25 years.
A new day in world history
has dawned. Lithuania is free again.
She was admitted to United Nations membership in 1991, as her flag was
joyously raised among others in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza. Her citizens recently
voted to join the European Union, and
full membership in the NATO alliance is confidently anticipated.
Generations have grown up
without knowledge or memory of the 1965 appeal to the United Nations. But many do remain, who remember the energy
and excitement of that effort to stir the free world’s conscience. That movement was led by strong-willed
persons motivated by their love of Lithuania, and their determination that she should be
liberated and her occupiers expelled.
Let us hope that the need does not arise again, but if it should, pray
that future generations will rise to her
defense with the same strength of purpose and dedication shown by those who organized and participated in that
demonstration.
I have
drawn upon one source for this article – the recollections, good will and
patience of Tony Snieckus, my friend from childhood.
© Gloria ‘Brien 2003
This
article was printed in Lithuanian Heritage, Sept/Oct 2003
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