James Buck

Journalism is not a Crime

Letter from Joel Simon of CPJ to the hikers

Threatened journalists and bloggers

Here is a great letter from Joel Simon of Committee to Protect Journalists. He helped me out quite a bit after my arrest when Mohammed was still in prison.

Our best to you, Shane, Sarah and Josh. May you be safe and sane and come home soon – and same to all prisoners of thought, expression and politics.

A letter to the American hikers being held in Iran
By Joel Simon/Executive Director

The families of Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal, and Sarah Shourd, the three hikers detained in Iran, said today they are concerned about their children’s emotional well-being after nearly four months in prison. They asked supporters to send letters, which they will seek to deliver to them in Evin Prison in Tehran, where the three are being held.

We know from speaking with journalists who have endured imprisonment that these letters provide an enormous emotional lift, helping to break the overwhelming feeling of isolation. If you would like to write a letter, you can send it Free the Hikers, P.O. Box 15065, Duluth, MN 55815, USA. You can also send an e-mail to letterstohikers@gmail.com.

More information is available at freetheihkers.org.

The letter I sent is below:

November 16, 2009

Dear Shane, Josh, and Sarah,

The people who are holding you in Evin Prison may want you to believe you are alone and the world has forgotten you.

Don’t believe them.

There are thousands and thousands of people around the world who are thinking of you every day and working for your safe return home.

I wish you all strength and look forward to the day very soon when I have a chance to meet you in person.

All my best,

Joel Simon

Executive Director

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Threatened journalists and bloggers

One Response to “Letter from Joel Simon of CPJ to the hikers”


  1. Sarah Shourd Post Election Protests East Bay Express « jeremysrandomblog
    on Nov 21st, 2009
    @ 3:52 pm: 

    [...] Letter from Joel Simon of CPJ to the hikers « Journalism is Not a … [...]

James Buck

James Buck is an American photojournalist and multimedia producer who has reported on and photographed the Egyptian blogosphere and social movements. He can be reached at jameskbuck@gmail.com.

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About James Buck

James Buck is an American photojournalist and multimedia producer who has reported on and photographed the Egyptian blogosphere and social movements. He can be reached at jameskbuck@gmail.com.

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