CALL TO ACTION: Will President Ahmadinejad Travel To New York Yet Again Without Releasing Shane and Josh?

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Dear Supporters,

Later this month, the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will take place in New York for the third time since Shane, Josh and Sarah were detained by the Iranian government in July 2009. Last year, Sarah was released just days before  President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flew to New York to address the meeting – and he plans to attend again this year with Shane and Josh still in prison for no reason.

When Sarah and her mother Nora met with President Ahmadinejad in New York one year ago, he told Sarah, “I hope you and Shane will be married very soon.”  He also said that Josh and Shane are “good kids” and promised to ask the judiciary to show “leniency and expediency” in resolving their case. Even two years ago he used the same language!

Where are the results? Another horrible, anguished year has passed for Josh, Shane and everyone who loves them. Expectations for Shane and Josh’s release ran high during the Islamic month of Ramadan when Iranian Foreign Minister Salehi stated that he “hoped” that their July 31 trial would “result in their freedom.” The Iranian Ambassador to Iraq said he “expected a release very soon.” Instead, Shane and Josh remain locked away for no crime and a ridiculously unjust sentence has been imposed.

IF Shane and Josh are not released before the UNGA we are going to need your help. Free the Hikers will be protesting peacefully near the UN in New York during the week of September 19th. The theme is “None of Us are Free Until Josh and Shane Are Free.”  We plan to build a large cell as a visual prop for the rally. In solidarity with Shane and Josh, family and supporters will stand inside the cell, with other supporters will stand in front of it holding up signs and banners.

If you can’t join us in New York in late September, we want to ask you to organize SOLIDARITY ACTIONS in your city or town:

Dimensions of Detainment NYC

WHAT: Build your own cell and display it in a public place along with a sign that says: “We are Not Free Until Josh and Shane are Free,” then get inside!

WHEN: The week of September 19th.

WHERE: Central Action: The United Nations’ Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza,
East 47th Street, between 1st and 2nd Ave, NYC.

Solidarity Actions: In your city, town or neighborhood!

HOW: You can build your cell out of something as simple as a cardboard box, or you can use four bodies and string like in previous actions in the streets of San Francisco and New York City.

Use your imagination and skill to create a visual reminder of the conditions that Josh and Shane have been forced to live in for more then two years. Please take photographs of your cell and send them to: Farah at Free the Hikers so we can post them on our site.

Connect with us and thousands of other supporters on our facebook page to coordinate an event in your locale!

Downloadable postcards also available there!

Thank you all for standing by Josh, Shane and all of us. Your participation is crucial for the success of this campaign; we couldn’t do it without you!

Until Freedom,
The Families of Josh Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd