Bundist organizations

... Nonetheless, a number of Jewish refugees con- tinued to live in Bialystok illegally, despite the April banishments. But even this ended on June 19, 1941, shortly before Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Local authorities in Bialystok, wishing once and for all to rid the city of ‘“‘unstable elements,’ conducted a lightning raid on Jews and non-Jews. Most of those arrested were leaders and activists of various Zionist and Bundist organizations, clergy, erstwhile rich people, manufacturers, homeowners, peasants and anyone else the authorities suspected. Most of the men arrested were sent to prison. Their wives and children were taken to the railroad station and exiled to the Russian interior. When the Nazis retook Bialystok, these impri- soned men were at first freed and then liquidated by Hitler’s henchmen. ...