Today the BBC will conduct a vigil to denote the 100th day of captivity for reporter Alan Johnston. Numerous efforts to secure his release from a shadowy splinter group calling itself The Army of Islam have proved futile.
Johnston's colleagues at the Glastonbury festival, on drama sets and in newsrooms in the UK and around the world will pause at 1315 GMT and Johnston's parents are due to release 100 balloons. Johnston's abduction has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers, the United Nations and many human rights groups. Palestinian journalists based in Gaza have conducted a series of strikes calling for his release. Johnston has been the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza.
Thank you Tara for continuing to keep the plight of this journalist in front of us - as Pam noted, it can be all too easy for us to forget amidst daily life -- and it's imperative that we remember. I pray for his safe and timely return.
Posted by: tinker | 21 June 2007 at 13:28
I follow the news...and I tell to myself: Hope!
Posted by: Caty | 21 June 2007 at 09:03
My heart continues to go out to him and his family. Using individuals like pawns in a game of chess is so sad and maddening. :(((
Wish it would resolve soon. JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 21 June 2007 at 08:56
It's all so frustrating! These same people who call, e.g., Lebanese Christians "Crusaders" (in the historical sense) and vowing to wipe them out, call themselves Army of Islam. Beyond crazy.
Posted by: Colette | 20 June 2007 at 21:15
Thank you for this remembrance , ....sometimes we all get caught up in the everyday-ness of life and forget about people who live in danger "every day' in order to keep the world informed! My heart goes out to Alan and his family.
Posted by: pam aries | 20 June 2007 at 14:00
Dear Tara,
Well, if i have to re-emerge from my blissful "unplugged" life on the island paradise then at least I have blogs to make up for some of the pain!
Thanks for keeping Alan in our minds and hearts and thanks for the amazing poem "Silence and truth". I hear that one.
x
Posted by: Frida | 20 June 2007 at 12:23