UPDATES
STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF SARAH SHOURD
Sep 14th
STATEMENT BY THE HIKERS’ FAMILIES ABOUT SARAH’S RELEASE
The families of the three American hikers held without trial for more than 13 months in Iran today issued the following statement regarding the release of Sarah Shourd:
All of our families are relieved and overjoyed that Sarah has at last been released but we’re also heartbroken that Shane and Josh are still being denied their freedom for no just cause. We applaud the Iranian authorities for showing compassion in Sarah’s case and again call on them to do the only right thing and release Shane and Josh immediately. Shane, Sarah and Josh are all innocent. They were traveling together, and were arrested together. We’re certain that Shane and Josh share our great happiness that Sarah is finally coming home. They deserve to come home too. Iran has no grounds to deprive them of their liberty a moment longer. We extend our deepest gratitude to the countless people around the world – friends, supporters and many persons of goodwill – who have worked so hard for so long to try to obtain the release of Shane, Sarah and Josh. The work is not over and, as we prepare to welcome Sarah home, we will not rest until Shane and Josh are home too.
Nora Shourd, Sarah Shourd’s mother, added:
I’ve hoped and prayed for this moment for 410 days and I cannot wait to wrap Sarah in my arms and hold her close when we are finally together again. Sarah has had a long and difficult detainment and I am going to make sure that she now gets the care and attention she needs and the time and space to recover. Sarah is incredibly strong but without Shane and Josh there to support her, and their brief daily meetings in the yard of Evin Prison, I am not sure how she would have coped. I can only imagine how bittersweet her freedom must be for her, leaving Shane and Josh behind. I owe it to all of them, to Sarah, Shane and Josh, to keep pressing until they are all home free. I urgently appeal to Iran not to delay granting Shane and Josh’s families the same joy and relief that I now have in knowing Sarah is finally free.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS PRESS RELEASE AS A PDF.
PHOTOS FROM SOME #1YR @FREETHEHIKERS WEEKEND OF ACTION EVENTS
Aug 1st
As the WEEKEND OF ACTION continues, we bring you some images from events so far:
FOR EVENTS TOMORROW, PLEASE VISIT UPCOMING EVENTS!
LIBEREZ LES RANDONNEURS #1YR PARIS
Jul 30th
PROTEST & PICNIC IN PARIS
- Date: 31 Jul 2010
- Time: 12 h to 16 h
- Place: Place d’Iéna
- Paris, France 75116
- Location Details
LIBEREZ LES RANDONNEURS—PARIS, FRANCE:
Join us on Saturday for a Protest and Picnic in support of Sarah, Shane, and Josh, illegally detained in Iran for one year. Meet at 12pm at the Place d’Iéna, right outside the metro Iéna in the 16th arrondissement. Following the protest, enjoy a picnic and participate in a “hike” around the neighborhood.
Invite your friends!
Rejoignez-nous ce Samedi 31 pour une manif’ et pique-nique en soutien de Sarah, Shane, et Josh, détenus au prison en Iran depuis un an Rendez-vous à 12h à la Place d’Iéna. Après, on goutera les fruits de la saison lors d’une pique-nique et une petite “randonné” dans le quartier.
Invitez vos amis!
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DEPECHE: LIBEREZ LES RANDONNEURS/ FREE THE HIKERS
- QUOI: Une manifestation près de l’ambassade d’Iran à Paris pour soutenir les trois randonneurs détenus au prison en Iran depuis un an.
- QUAND: Samedi 31 Juillet 31 2010, 12h
- OU: Place d’Iéna, 75116 Paris
BACKGROUND
Shane Bauer et sa fiancée Sarah Shourd habitaient depuis un an a Damas, où Shane était journaliste et Sarah enseignante des réfugies Irakiens. Josh Fattal leur rendait visite. Ils ont décide de prendre l’aire un peu, et tous leurs amis Syriens leur ont dit d’aller aux montagnes en Kurdistan, pour voir ses jolies cascades. Ils sont partis dans un endroit vacancier connu. Lors d’une randonné, ils se sont approchés, sans le savoir, trop près de la frontière Iranienne (pas du tout marquée). Ensuite, soit ils ont traversé par erreur cette frontière, soit (comme suggère une enquête du journal The Nation) la police de la frontière Iranienne leur ont enlevés, étant au courant de leur présence en Kurdistan.
Ils sont au prison Evine près de Téhéran. Sarah. 31 ans, est en isolement total 23 heures par jour. Les lumières restent allumé 24/24. Ils ont eu droit à 1 appel de 3 minutes avec leurs familles, et une visite de quelques heures (supervisés) avec leurs mères. En un an. Sarah a une condition grave (qui pourrait devenir le cancer) qui demande l’attention régulière d’un médecin. Elle est allée voir une fois le médecin depuis un an. Ils n’ont pas le droit de voir leur avocat Iranien, malgré le fait qu’il demande chaque jour de voir ses clients. On n’a aucune nouvelle des trois depuis Mai.
En solidarité avec ces trois citoyens du monde, une groupe des Parisiens organise une manifestation pour appeler à leur libération immédiate, en présence de Ides van den Bosch, un belge qui a été au prison Evine pendant trois mois. Cet évènement se rejoigne à d’autres partout dans le monde ce week-end du 31 Juillet, le triste anniversaire de leur arrestation.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITES: Ides van den Bosch, qui avait été au prison Evine pendant trois mois, sera disponible pour des entretiens. Possibilité d’organiser un entretien téléphonique avec d’autres membres du mouvement et de la famille des randonneurs.
 | WEEKEND OF ACTION EVENTS:These events are part of a Weekend of Action, including events around the world to mark ONE YEAR of unjust detention for Sarah, Shane and Josh. For updates & to see our growing list, goto: |
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- Please contact Julie at juliekleinman@gmail.com for information and/or to volunteer support for organizing this event.
- Please contact events@freethehikers.org if you are able to organize something in another location. Even something small will be very helpful and we will provide as much support as possible.
- Please also spread the word about the Weekend of Action and invite your family members, friends and colleagues to join us!
UPCOMING @FREETHEHIKERS WEEKEND OF ACTION #1YR EVENTS
Jul 27th
These events are part of a Weekend of Action, including events around the world to mark ONE YEAR of unjust detention for Sarah, Shane and Josh. For updates & to see our growing list, goto: | WEEKEND OF ACTION EVENTS:
BENEFIT CONCERT: |
“IT ALL FEELS TOO MUCH” BY @TRENORA MOTHER OF JAILED #USHIKER
Jul 19th
Today things feel like too much.
My head is spinning with details large and small..
The task at hand feels impossible although the steps to get there are not.
What can I count on here?
There are financial concerns, there are strategic concerns, there are logistical concerns.
I must rely on so many people, but the foundation is crumbling within me today.
I am pushing through the days like slogging through mud in the dark.
I want to comfort Sarah, give her strength, but right now, at this moment, I feel depleted ..
But there is no other choice but to go on.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nora Shourd’s daughter, Sarah, has been held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison, Iran, since July 31st 2009 and has not been charged with any crime.
Nora, arrived in the UK last week as part of an awareness raising tour about her daughter’s continued imprisonment in Iran. She was in the UK for three days where she had several media interviews.
She then took the boat to Paris where she had 5 more interviews. Yesterday she travelled back to the UK. She has many more interviews and meetings over the next 5 days before flying home.
Since her daughter’s arrest a year ago, this has been Nora’s life.
REPUBLISHED FROM A SAFE WORLD FOR WOMEN
DESMOND TUTU CALLS FOR #USHIKERS’ RELEASE AGAIN:
Apr 29th
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU: “RELEASE 3 US HIKERS HELD IN IRAN”
(The Associated Press)
JOHANNESBURG — Retired South African archbishop Desmond Tutu is calling for the urgent release of three American hikers detained for nearly nine months in Iran.
In a statement Wednesday, Tutu says two of the hikers are ill and they are all suffering emotionally and are considering a hunger strike. He says Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd have committed no crime.
The three Americans have been held since crossing the border from Iraq in July. Their families say they unintentionally strayed while hiking.
They all attended the University of California at Berkeley. Fattal’s family lives near Philadelphia, Bauer’s in Pine City, Minnesota, and Shourd’s in Oakland, California.
Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is the former head of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF HIS LATEST STATEMENT:
I urgently call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to release Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd on humanitarian grounds. Nine months after these three young people were detained, there is a pressing need for Iran finally to release them into the care of their loving and anguished families.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Desmond Tutu
Since I last spoke on behalf of Shane, Josh and Sarah in February, their emotional state has deteriorated significantly. They are suffering from desperation and hopelessness and have considered the extreme step of a hunger strike. This would have grave consequences for their health, in particular for Shane and Sarah, who are both sick.
A nation of Iran’s stature should not act in a cruel and inhumane manner, or punish innocent individuals for the disagreements that exist with the United States. Shane, Josh and Sarah have done no wrong. Iran should act in accordance with the universal principles of justice, compassion and humanity and set them free.
~Archbishop Desmond Tutu
250 HOPE VIGILS: ARE YOU GOING TO ONE?
Apr 11th
Below a list of the 250 Days HOPE VIGILS scheduled so far for tomorrow. Are you planning to attend one? If there isn’t one scheduled in your community yet, please visit FREETHEHIKERS.ORG to find out how to organize one now!
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: PINE CITY, MN
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: SOUTH AFRICA
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: BROOKLYN, NY
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: WYNCOTE, PA
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: BERKELEY, CA
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: SHAKOPEE, MN
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: WORCESTER, MA
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: VANCOUVER, BC
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: LOS ANGELES, CA
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: SEATTLE, WA
- 250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL: BOSTON, MA
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HELP ORGANIZE A “250 DAYS HOPE VIGIL” IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
Apr 7th
| ABOUT THE “250 DAYS HOPE VIGILS” Vigils are being organized around the world on April 11, 2010, to mark 250 days of Sarah, Shane and Josh’s detention in Iran. As the three hikers continue to be held in Iran, their friends and supporters will gather to send them light, strength and spirit during the dark days of their detention. With a unified voice, supporters will call on Iranian authorities to take immediate action and release Sarah, Shane and Josh into the loving arms of their families. 250 Days Vigils of Hope are already scheduled for several locations. If you would like to organize a vigil in another location, or if you would like to help in one of the cities listed below, please contact us at vigils@freethehikers.org or leave a comment below with your name and the location at which you would like to hold a vigil. RESOURCES FOR VIGIL ORGANIZERS: By clicking on any flyer and/or poster, you can download and include each in your organizing efforts. Once you are on the vigil organizers list, we will provide you with more resources and guidance as you plan your vigil. | ||
| USA Vigils: | Global Vigils: | FLYER: VERSION ONE (PDF) | FLYER: VERSION TWO (PDF) |
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For those of you who are good with Photoshop, click here to download a (24MB) .zip of all the layered Photoshop files of the flyers so that you may customize the flyers to suit your needs. Alternatively, please contact us with the information you would like to appear on your flyers and we will customize them for you. | |||
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Apr 6th
This blog is a forum for friends, family and supporters of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd & Josh Fattal, who were detained by Iranian authorities while on a brief hiking vacation in Iraqi Kurdistan. This blog is an interactive supplement to the official Free the Hikers campaign website. This blog is administered by friends and supporters of Shane, Sarah and Josh, while the official site is administered by their families.
If you haven’t done so yet, please register with the site here: JOIN. Once you’ve registered, you will be able to post to the site. Once you submit a post, it will be reviewed by a moderator and published.
Most of the categories are self-explanatory, but where necessary, we’ve posted a brief explanation. Those listed under “REFLECTIONS” are meant to be the core space for friends and supporters to share their reflections, experiences and the like. As the site evolves, the site will too; however, below are some guidelines for each subcategory.
REFLECTIONS SUBCATEGORIES:
- I Remember: Place for friends, family and supporters of the hikers to post memories of times they’ve spent with the hikers.
- Letters to the Hikers: Place to post messages for the hikers to read once they’ve been freed. If possible, we will try to send these to the hikers to read while they are in Evin Prison.
- On the Road Home: This is a space for friends, family and supporters to write about their experiences and reflections as we endeavor to bring the hikers home. These may include a variety of posts, such as journals about planning and/or attending HOPE VIGILS, thoughts on current events, general reflections about their plight, etc.
- Quotes: We encourage people to post their favorite quotes here. Please include a note about why this quote seems apropos.
If you have any other questions, please visit the ABOUT THIS BLOG section. Please post any questions you have about this blog’s content or functionality there, in addition to any suggestions you may have for improvements. In that section, you will also find general information about the blog and responses to any questions and suggestions posted.
THE HIKERS’ STORY:
Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal have been detained in Iran since July 31, 2009, when news reports say they accidentally crossed an unmarked border during a hiking trip in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. They were in a peaceful region of Iraq that is increasingly popular with Western tourists.
The three young Americans, all graduates of the University of California at Berkeley, are being held in Evin Prison in Tehran. No charge against them has been presented in a court of law and they have only be able to contact their families once.
Shane, Josh and Sarah care greatly about the world in which we live. They admire and respect different cultures and religions and share a love of travel that has taken them to many countries. That is why they went to Kurdistan, not because they wanted to enter Iran.
We hope the Iranian authorities understand that if Shane, Sarah and Josh were in Iranian territory there is just one reason: because they made a regrettable mistake and got lost. Please let them return home as soon as possible.
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