A luxury I afford myself is a subscription to the online edition of The Washington Post. A bit ago I noticed this in the paper:
“The Washington Post Press Freedom Partnership, a public service initiative from The Post to promote press freedom worldwide, has launched a new campaign again calling for the safe release of American journalist and Marine veteran Austin Tice, who was detained while reporting in Syria nine years ago. Help bring attention to Austin’s case by sharing a picture of your bracelet on Twitter with the hashtag #FreeAustinTice.”
Austin Bennett Tice had just won a prestigious George Polk Award “for chronicling the complexities of the civil war in Syria” for McClatchy Newspapers when in August, 2012, he disappeared near Damascus. Tice was freelancing for The Washington Post, CBS, and McClatchy.
The Syrian government says it doesn’t know anything about him.
I looked at Austin Tice’s picture. Handsome young man. He closely resembles one of my grandsons—by coincidence, also an Austin.
I was touched when I read in Wikipedia that Austin had been an Eagle Scout. Eagle Scouts—not to mention war correspondents who also were Marine Corps officers—should not be imprisoned.
I sent for a bracelet. I wear it with hope–and gratitude for the Washington Post Press Freedom Partnership. Going to get my Twitter account back on its feet and do as they ask, add a picture.
Perhaps you’ll join me?
Bracelet and shipping are free: https://store.washingtonpost.com/products/limited-time-free-austin-tice-bracelet?itid=lk_inline_manual_1
