November 7, 1976 : Vrindavan
Hari Sauri: About one year ago Srila Prabhupada received a letter from Mr. Morris Yanoff, a resident of Chicago, along with a news clipping about the disappearance of his twelve-year-old grandson, David, whom he believed was living with his mother in one of our temples. Mr. Yanoff did not like his grandson being associated with our movement and hinted that if the boy was not returned to his father, there would be serious ramifications. In response, Prabhupada sent out a letter to all temples instructing them that if they knew David's whereabouts they should contact Mr. Yanoff.
It seems that the boy was not returned, and now Srila Prabhupada has received information that the Yanoffs launched a major campaign against our Society throughout this last year in an effort to force the return of the boy. The boy's father, along with some friends, has been regularly going out to the Chicago airport, which was one of our best distribution sites, and harassing the book distributors as they try to sell books. The result is that our book distribution has been reduced very dramatically with a loss of thousands of dollars per week.
On top of this, Yanoff has campaigned successfully with the Evanston council where our Chicago temple is located to have our permit withdrawn. The Yanoff campaign has not been kept local either. Negative news articles have appeared accusing the devotees of kidnapping the boy, the American Embassy here in Delhi has been contacted with result that there was difficulty for our gurukula boys obtaining their visas, and the purchase of a building in San Diego has been thwarted. Now a legal case has been filed against us. Prabhupada was very disturbed to hear what was happening. So much damage has been done to our preaching, and now we face a court case.
It seems that the boy was not returned, and now Srila Prabhupada has received information that the Yanoffs launched a major campaign against our Society throughout this last year in an effort to force the return of the boy. The boy's father, along with some friends, has been regularly going out to the Chicago airport, which was one of our best distribution sites, and harassing the book distributors as they try to sell books. The result is that our book distribution has been reduced very dramatically with a loss of thousands of dollars per week.
On top of this, Yanoff has campaigned successfully with the Evanston council where our Chicago temple is located to have our permit withdrawn. The Yanoff campaign has not been kept local either. Negative news articles have appeared accusing the devotees of kidnapping the boy, the American Embassy here in Delhi has been contacted with result that there was difficulty for our gurukula boys obtaining their visas, and the purchase of a building in San Diego has been thwarted. Now a legal case has been filed against us. Prabhupada was very disturbed to hear what was happening. So much damage has been done to our preaching, and now we face a court case.
Reference: A Transcendental Diary Volume 5 - Hari Sauri Dasa
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