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FLDS Advocate Asks Bush To Intercede

By Howard M. Friedman

Willie Jessop, head of a group called Mothers and Children of YFZ, has written a letter dated May 10 (full text) to President George W. Bush. The letter has been posted on the "Captive FLDS Children" website. The letter begins:

We appeal to you, as President of the United States of America and Leader of the Free World, to intercede in behalf of an American community which has been invaded and devastated by an armed militant force. Mr. President, it does not require a foreign country to commit terrorist acts on American soil. Terrorist acts can be committed by federal, local, and private entities that are operating under the guise of ?protecting the public.?

Near the end of his 10-page letter, Jessop says:

It has been customary for a President to visit the site of a disaster of this magnitude where so many innocent people are involved.... We personally invite you, First Lady Laura Bush, and members of your staff to visit the YFZ community and witness firsthand the site of these gross violations of human rights that have occurred in your peaceful neighboring west-Texas community. Reunite these children with their loving parents, and return families to their homes!

We call upon you to ... hold accountable those who perpetrated these acts of terror and now are determined to save the state from embarrassment by selectively prosecuting members of the FLDS faith.

Deseret News says the letter was hand delivered to President Bush's staff yesterday near the Bush ranch in Texas where the President was attending the wedding of his daughter Jenna.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 11, 2008 (boomark / email).