Jill Burcum: Gathering for hikers

Last update: September 26, 2009 - 4:52 PM

GATHERING FOR HIKERS

Bauer and friends still captive

The family and friends of Minnesota native Shane Bauer will hold a public gathering on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Minneapolis to send "prayers, thoughts and energy" to Iran, where he and two friends are being held.

Bauer, 27, whose parents live in Minnesota, is an award-winning journalist. He was vacationing in northern Iraq with Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, when they were arrested on a hiking trail by Iranian authorities on July 31. The Iranians claim the three strayed across the border. It's believed that the trio is being held in Tehran, which is where North Dakota journalist Roxana Saberi was imprisoned earlier this year.

Organizers of the event say that Iranians have not allowed the three any contact with family nor granted them their right to consular access. Bauer, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, lived in Syria and worked as a freelance journalist. He has covered the Middle East for the Los Angeles Times and the Christian Science Monitor, among other media outlets.

Last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke publicly about the hikers and said he'd urge officials to be lenient with them. There have been accusations within Iran that the three are spies. Ahmadinejad also said that the trio's release may be tied to Iranian officials held by Iraq. Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken are pressing for their release.

The gathering will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Minneapolis Peace Garden, 4124 Roseway Road. Further information about the hikers is available online at www.freethehikers.org. The website is now operational after going offline for a time last week. Donations can also be made at www.freethehikersdonations.com. More information is also available on Facebook at tinyurl.com/ybelyrl

JILL BURCUM

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