Photo by Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

AAJA welcomes the news that American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling are back in the United States after more than four long long months of detention in North Korea. Its leadership and membership wish them a happy and long-anticipated reunion with their families, friends and colleagues.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts both sides made to bring these two journalists home,” said AAJA National President Sharon Chan. “We are grateful to everyone who supported Lee and Ling, and kept their story alive.”

Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee are journalists for Current TV, a Web-based television channel founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. They were arrested March 17 for allegedly crossing the border while conducting interviews with North Korean refugees in China. In June, in a North Korean court closed to observers, the two were sentenced to 12 years labor for illegal entry and unspecified “hostile acts.”

Maya Blackmun, AAJA interim executive director, noted that AAJA members have tracked the developments closely.

As working journalists, a number of members have kept the public informed with updated news stories since the detention of Lee and Ling in March. In addition, members not actively covering the story from AAJA chapters in San Francisco, Sacramento, Arizona, Chicago and Washington, D.C., joined with community efforts to advocate for the release of Lee and Ling.

“This is great news for their loved ones and colleagues, ” Blackmun said. “and what it means to journalists everywhere.”

See message from Brendan McShane Creamer:

Please help Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, with the NEW AMNESTY PETITION

Hello,

I writing you on behalf of American Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. The two have been detained since March 17, 2009.

They were sentenced to 12 years in labor camps, in North Korea, on June 8th.

Euna and Laura have been silenced by North Korea, so it’s on us to be their voice.

They both have families. They have pled guilty to the charges. We are asking for amnesty.

More info can be found here:

www.lauraandeuna.com

This is our NEW petition asking the US government to ask for amnesty for Laura and Euna.

We are looking to get a million signatures, so pass it along please.

Click on the link below:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/131375038

If you would, fill out the first part/page and click sign. The second page confirms what you wrote and then click “sign” again.

This will get you on the list of signatures.

If you can get this on your “Intranet” or post it and pass it along to friends and family, that would be great.

The main site, other than Facebook:

www.lauraandeuna.com

My FB pages are:

www.facebook.com/lauraandeuna

This is the page the Ling and Lee families set up for me.

My original page, which is still up:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60755553149&ref=mf

 Any effort helps Laura and Euna get home to their families.

Brendan McShane Creamer

blove73@msn.com

156 Vassar Road

Bala Cynwyd, PA. 19004-2232

(215)500.4122

The two U.S. journalists who work for Current TV were sentenced to 12 years in labor prison today. AAJA is concerned about the women’s safety and asks that the North Korean government reconsider the sentence.

“We call on all parties in a position to work diplomatic channels to free these two journalists,” said Sharon Chan, AAJA National President. “We hope a way will be found to return these two women to their families.”

Lee and Ling were detained March 17 for allegedly crossing the border into North Korea while reporting for Current TV, an online news site. They had told relatives before they left that they had no intention of crossing the border, according to Laura Ling’s sister, Lisa Ling. North Korea and the United States do not have diplomatic relations. Swedish diplomats have visited the journalists twice on behalf of the United States and carried letters back to families.

AAJA has received information about events in the U.S. concerning the two detained Asian American journalists in North Korea, Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

AAJA has received information about events in the U.S. concerning the two detained Asian American journalists in North Korea, Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

The two reporters were working for Current TV when they were captured along the Chinese-North Korea border.

Their trial is slated for June 4, and these events coincide with the trial.

Facebook links might require login.

There are more vigils on June 3rd, which is June 4th in North Korea. The day the trial of Euna Lee and Laura Ling begins.

Date:
Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Time:
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location:
3rd Street Promenade

City/Town:
Santa Monica, CA
Vigils will be in New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Birmingham, Washington, D.C. and San Fran.

Lisa Ling is now an Admin on the Facebook group page:
“Detained In North Korea : Journalist Laura Ling and Euna Lee, please help.”

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60755553149