Free The Hikers: The 59th Day benefit, freethehikers.org

Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd 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 believed to be held in the Iranian capital, Tehran. They have not been charged with any crime, have had no contact with their families, and have not been granted their right to consular access.

Shane, Josh and Sarah care greatly about the world. They admire and respect different cultures and religions and share a love of travel that has taken them to many countries. That’s why they went to Kurdistan, not because they wanted to enter Iran.

Shane Bauer grew up in Onamia, Minnesota.  His sister and brother-in-law live in Duluth.  We are holding a fundraiser for them on Sept. 27 to raise money and support the effort to bring them home as soon as possible.

Please consider supporting any way you can!  All proceeds will go to the families to help defray the costs of travel,  awareness, etc. that are adding up daily.

Fundraiser Sept. 27

5 p.m. Hiking Meditation in honor of the hikers.  By donation.  All proceeds go toward Free the Hikers. Details to follow!
6-9 p.m. Silent Auction and live music at the Spiritual Deli

Donations needed for the silent auction!

Please contact us if you have something to offer!  All donations greatly appreciated!  218.722.9378 or [email protected]

Learn more, be informed. Visit www.FreeTheHikers.org. The families and friends of the three hikers created this site to tell the story of Shane, Josh and Sarah and keep the world informed about their situation.

16 Comments

Jake

about 15 years ago

Just curious..Were these 3 people aware that the US has been at war with Iraq for the past decade? Seeme like a really odd place to go hiking. Not to mention the proximity to another "Un friendly" Country. Best of Luck, hope they come home safe. Maybe next time they will use a little better judgement.

NateL

about 15 years ago

Iraqi Kurdistan in a peacesful region, popular with Western tourists and is an autonomous, federally recognized region of Iraq. We are not at war with Iraqi Kurdistan.

JP

about 15 years ago

I'm gonna go with NateL on this one. Generally speaking, I believe in freedom of movement, exploration and building peace and sustainably through interpersonal relationships. Without knowing all of the details I think that is what these folks were up to.  

 ... should we all be called to use better judgment all the time and just stay home or go out and experience and LIVE in this Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World of ours?

wildgoose

about 15 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0_txc7RD14

NateL

about 15 years ago

We do thank everyone in Duluth and Superior, and everywhere for that matter, for all the support we have been given. It's been a great thing.

Paul

about 15 years ago

I have tried to access freethehikers.org, and the website is unavailable (I get a "forbidden" message). Is the site still active?

NateL

about 15 years ago

It's been on and off all day. We don't know if there is something wrong internally, if someone os trying to shut it down, or if it became overloaded with hits, as family members were on The Today Show and Good Morning America this morning. Our web team has been working on it nonstop all day to try and get it back up.

nikki

about 15 years ago

Has anyone heard what Anne Curry found out about the hikers?

NateL

about 15 years ago

Should be on The Today Show tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Tina

about 15 years ago

I pray that these 3 young people have a safe return home and my thoughts and prayers are with them and their families

Jodi

about 15 years ago

Free the Hikers t-shirts are available at the Spiritual Deli.  A great way to donate money and show support.  Plus they're cute!

NateL

about 15 years ago

Shirts are also available at www.laughingstockdesign.biz

As seen on NBC's The Today Show!!!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32891206#32891206

Jerry

about 15 years ago

We should do everything in our country's power (Diplomatically) to free these three wonderful young boys. Put former Pres. Bill Clinton on the job. 
  Once they are freed... we should go back and... NUKE THE BASTARDS! God Bless everyone for their efforts. We will prevail!

Roger Krier

about 15 years ago

3 U.S. citizens that pay taxes!  Why is the military not involved?   They being held captive.  Let's go get our people. Hello!!!

Ken Murphy

about 15 years ago

I just watched the interview with Josh Fattel's brother on Fox News Live. The website www.freethehikers.org was not available. I hope it's because people are logging on to sign the petition. He said that President Amadinijad would do everything to help the hikers be released. Then Shep said: "He's the president and if he said that, I'm sure it will happen." Well Shep.....Pres. Imanutjob has no power over this desision. It's the fanatic religious Iatollahs that are in charge of Iran.....and are holding these innocent hikers HOSTAGE!!!

Jim

about 15 years ago

I do hope they are being treated well and that they are released soon.  When they are, perhaps they will educate the rest of the not-so-young, overly-idealistic-without-wisdom-or-good judgement Berkely-educated types about the hard reality...such as NateL: "I believe in freedom of movement, exploration and building peace and sustainably through interpersonal relationships"...it does not matter so much what you believe when you illegally (hard reality vs. ignorance) enter an area so vastly different in beliefs from what you are accustomed...If you do not exercise good judgment and wisdom, the hard consequences (which you may not believe in) will always overrule your beliefs.  And in such an area as this, where 1300 years of varying degrees of Sharia Law coupled with hundreds of generations of untrusting views of outsiders, you will not be building any type of "interpersonal relationship" or even put a dent in anything. Good luck to them and your efforts.

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