SIGN THE PETITION! « freethehikers.org

FREE THE US HIKERS SHANE BAUER, SARAH SHOURD, JOSH FATTAL, DETAINED IN IRAN
Please sign our petition for their release, which we intend to deliver to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Mission to the United Nations:
We, the undersigned, respectfully ask the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal from detention as soon as possible and allow them to return home to their families. As an immediate step, we appeal to you to allow Shane, Sarah and Josh to speak with their families again, in order to ease the worry of their loved ones. On July 31, 2009, Shane, Sarah and Josh were hiking near the Ahmed Awa waterfall in Iraqi Kurdistan when news reports say they mistakenly crossed the unmarked border into Iran. Since then, they have been detained in Iran and have had only one phone call with their families. Shane, Sarah and Josh were in Iraqi Kurdistan on a hiking vacation and had no intention of entering Iran. They all have great respect for different cultures and societies and for the law. If they did enter Iran, it can only have been by accident. The families, friends and supporters of Shane, Sarah and Josh share the deep hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion in this unfortunate case and release them as soon as possible. Thank you. Name: E-mail address: Please enter an optional comment: Do not display name on website: Signatures & Comments: Aleen Stein: I hope the Iranian government will realize these people should be returned to their families as soon as possible, and that the American government continues to press for their release until that happens. I don't know Josh, but Sarah and Shane are two of the most worthy humans I've known, and bear Iran no ill will. Alita RenÃ©e Holly: Releasing Sarah, Shane and Josh would be a merciful and compassionate gesture that their family and friends would appreciate greatly. Anonymous Patrcia Kambitsch Robert Sinding: These people are entitled to due process. Leigh Goldenberg Mustafa Basri: heart and mind! Della Hansmann jen anderson Andrew Linn Kate Hirst: I have strong hope that Iran will understand that Josh, Sarah, and Shane are travelers of peace and I hope that Iran will hear this plea of the family and friends of these three, and compassionately let them free. Perhaps this will also open a new door for peaceful diplomacy between our two countries, and a new opportunity for peace in the middle east. Anonymous Kegan Blumenthal Corinne White Suzie & Mike Warren: we are praying for their immediate release! why cant the world know the status of these wonderful kids. we are all sick with worry. pls someone bring them home!!!!! casey nitchman: pls come home soon Sarah, Shane and Josh. chase e. nitchman: pls come home soon Shane, Sarah, and Josh! brenda barton: god bless Anonymous Pam Lopez abel kloster shannon sinclair Po Ewing: Please free our friends sage warren Emily Sudd: Please give us our friends back. LIsa Talbot: Please free our friends! Luke Alberti Tanya Kravatz Anonymous Lori Pasley David Marcus: Get out soon, guys. We're thinking about you. Vassia Alaykova Jozlyn Anderson: My thoughts are with you guys! jon wayman tammy chang Larry Carr Paul Holmes Anonymous: I've known Sarah for six years. She's a kind person who cares about other people and other cultures. I hope the government of Iran will see that she has only good intentions and hiked into Iran by mistake. Please let her and her friends come home soon. Alex Fattal: Bring em all back home! Iran, please free the hikers soon. Anonymous Cara Levine Vickie Majorek Emily Wilson Anonymous Anonymous jodie anderson Elena Alaykov Inge Maskun: Keeping you in our prayers and sending energy, love, peace and light!!! You're coming home!!!! Leslie Zolnik Rhea Block Shannon Taylor Alexis Brickner Cheryl Dodds Anonymous Emily Allen Nikki Shutrop Linda Conrad Eleanor Nettleton: Please send them home.All three are working on the path of peace,and their being in custody does more harm for the truth than their freedom to continue their paths Please hear that they mean no harm! Alejandro Flores: please free the hikers! cara felleman: Josh is my cousin and i miss him very much!!! my prayers are with all of yall! please bring them home safe!! Brandon EglÃ© Gatins bonnie glass Alex Fattal: Bring em all back home! Love you Josh. Lorna Rosenberg: We pray that 3 young people that with only a quest to repair the world will be released unharmed to return to their homes immediately. Lorna Rosenberg Anonymous: We will be very grateful for your compassion and understanding. Anonymous Sidney Buffington: Please allow these three young people to come home. Just let them come home. Sarah Standish: I know that Sarah and Shane were informed, experienced travelers who would never have knowingly wandered into Iranian territory. Their combined experience was so great that when they gave advice, I always listened carefully, and I know they were of the sort that always followed their own advice themselves. I am lucky to have gotten to know them over the past year, and hope to see them again soon. Rose Ben Baldassare Anonymous: Please show compassion and immediately free Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Thank you. Walton K. Martin III: Best wishes for a expedited release. Fartash Barvarz: â€œOur whole effort is to help you release your loved ones." Wish they can return back very soon. Laura Fattal: Please let my son come home. therese Balagna: I hope Josh, Shane and Sarah will be treated with justice and with all the rights that every human being deserves. Adam Jersett Jacob Fattal: Josh I love you! Come home very soon. maria jimeno Anonymous Anonymous Heather MacNeil Brandy Conner Lynnae Soper dawn peters Kelly Duncan Anonymous Susan Chapler M.D.: Show your Humanity. Anonymous Mauricio Carneiro: Hiking and climbing should be completely free from politics ! anthony kraus Mary Catherine Davis Anthony Huh James Soderbeck Emily Churchill: I lived near Sarah and Shane in Damascus, where they were greatly loved by the local Syrian and Palestinian community. We all miss them hugely and await their safe return. Anonymous bryn bowen Adam Schatzow Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: please send the hikers home. please show some empathy, and compassion. they are innocent of any wrong doing. Bret, Heather, and Elizabeth Goldman Anonymous Brianna Smith Anand Vaidya Brian Gralnick Farah Mawani: May all the love going your way carry you home. Jessica Feingold Josh Grill Joan M. Smith: I can only hope that these young people are being detained under humane conditions and that people of generousity, wisdom and compassion will release them soon to their families and friends. Anonymous Reuben Burrows: Iran stands to gain nothing by holding on to these individuals. Please show good faith and set them free. Ofer Vaisler Chris Lyons Frank Smith bonnie glass Tiffany Marschall Rita Kalra Anonymous Anna Harris Anonymous Yonnas T Getahun: Prayer! Jeremy Fallick Sam Rubenstein Anonymous Anonymous Erin Schlumpf Anonymous Josh weizer Salma Abu Ayyash Abby Bronstein Anonymous Diane Straus: These hikers are no threat to Iran. Quinn Maguire: i am heart broken for the families and friends of these gentle adventurers. Cindy Hickey: Shane, I send you love and peace, Mom..... Diane Hentges: I miss you godchild...love ya lots Cathy Theis: Shane we miss you & want you home! Christine Canard Manuela Ferrari: I have strong hope that Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion and Josh, Sarah, and Shane will be soon released. Nicole Lindstrom: I just want Sarah, Josh, and my brother Shane home and safe. I love you Shane!!!! Primo Vannicelli: The government of Iran can demonstrate its readiness to rejoin the community of nations by freeing these innocent victims. jeffrey katz jeffrey katz Carl Myers Jennifer: Dude, just let the people go! Carl Myers Concerned Friend vicki nelson: I wish all of them the best of luck. I hope that they are all returned home to their families safely. Al Bauer: please release my son Shane I love him and miss him Brian Robertson Carlo Manke: FREE THEM Brandon Lloyd Nancy O'Neil Diane Hentges: Shane, I miss you and love you godchild. Anonymous Mary Schmidthuber: Please free our grandson & his friends, we love then & miss them ~Grandma & Grandpa S. JOSEPH COTTEN, II Nena Cantillo Anonymous Angel Unfried NENA CANTILLO: Por la pronta liberaciÃ³n de Josh y sus compaÃ±eros. Amigos en Colombia APOYANDO LA CAUSA. Clara Pinilla Ian Conway Jeanine Cochran Marcus Blumenfeld Samantha Massey Hugh Allspaugh: Please! Tony Long Laura Bell Janet Perry Angela Keene Benjamin Smith: Much love to all three Evren Jeremy Fallick Lisa Austin Jeff Simmons Laura Breckheimer: Hopes, prayers, and energy pouring out in hopes these three amazing people are released soon. Magdalena Marinova Christian A. Williams Susan Pulley Vlada Tomova Shannon Fletcher: I agree with some below - these people are entitled to due process. Americans or otherwise - these are human beings and should be treated as such. I don't see the point in holding folks and causing them and their families so much distress. Anonymous: Please have compassion! Shari Pleiss Anonymous Dara Rapoport Jason Blau Anonymous Violeta Anonymous Verena Paravel Tara Abraham Maria Munoz: Ellos no se merecen esto. Si un gobierno ha cometido un error,tambien puede rectificarlo. Patricia Zolnik Jackie Boxman etr: Please understand, there has been a severe mistake. Please free these fine folks, you must understand that they have no intention of harming Iran and would have otherwise been some of those most likely to hear the case of the Iranian government. I mean to tell you, these are the opposite of enemies, for you and the republic of Iran. These are kind, warm, respectful people whom you would otherwise meet as friends, whom would meet you with respect and conviviality, regardless of anyone's claims. Please hear the suffering and make a wise choice for us all. These three are not your enemy, I assure you. Anonymous: Be human. Anonymous kori Tim Hassall Anonymous Shannon Bauer: I miss you and love you Shane and Sarah...I hope to see you both and Josh home soon. Anonymous Pablo SÃ¡nchez Prieto Michael Roberts: I met Josh a few years ago in Oregon at Aprovecho. He's a good man, and certainly not a spy. Please release him and his friends now. It's the only morally right thing to do. Until you do, treat them well. Moriah Oxnard Paul Naylor Anonymous: Nadie tiene derecho de privar a nadie de su libertad. juan pomponio Anonymous Nico Voigtlaender Nico Voigtlaender lino bolaÃ±os Loralee Jake Terrell Susan Sandys: We love you Sarah! Anonymous: estoy llena de buenas energias y fe de que van a salir libres por que soy conciente de que son personas inocentes y que muy pronto estaran junto a sus seres queridos, y pues el gobierno iranÃ les va a pedir excusas y le haran una aclaracion publica de su inocencia... SeÃ±or JesÃºs se hara tu voluntad... Juan Ensuncho BÃ¡rcena: Â¡Libertad para tod@s l@s hij@s de la Tierra! Â¡Sin distinciÃ³n alguna! Emily Williams: with loving intention... Anonymous Anonymous Adriana Echavarria: Nadie puede ser retenido en contra de su voluntad, LA LIBERTAD ES UN DERECHO HUMANO Y UNIVERSAL!!! Rosemarie Pontuti: WE respectfully emplore the Iranian Government to release the 3 young innocent hikers and to grant them the ability to communicate with their families. James M Sandys Donnie Knutson Sarah: Please bring them home! Otoniel Guevara: Poeta y editor salvadoreÃ±o. Everett Pieri Jacque Golden: free Josh!! Alex Crowe Giuli Cordara: I hope they will be released soon. It is incredible something like this can happen in a global world!!! John Nowotny Anonymous Jim Hickey Denise Conway Will Schmidthuber Mieka Ritsema Anonymous Mary Schmidthuber: Please send our grandson Shane & his friends Sarah & Josh back to us. We love him & miss him. ~Grandma & Grandpa laureen wermerskirchen: PLEASE FREE THE HIKERS Anonymous: Let them come home! Donna Hutchison: "Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi" "In the name of God , Most Gracious, Most Merciful (Al-Fatiha, 1:1)" There are 107 verses in the Quran that mentions the merciful attribute of God. Please be merciful and let Shane, Sarah, and Josh free. Julia Cattrall Anne Moors Helen McGrath: I knew Josh and Shane, and that they are only capable of respect and humility towards all cultures. Please let them return home to their families. Eric Novinson Anonymous Tish Scheffler Anonymous Elizabeth Rachel Molly Joseph Rebecca Fisher RaÃºl Cantillo Atuesta.-Colombia: PORQUE DIOS NOS HIZO LIBRES...Â¿QUIENES SOMOS NOSOTROS PARA QUITAR LO QUE Ã‰L NOS HA REGALADO? SEAN MISERICORDIOSOS, PORQUE Ã‰L ES MISERICORDIOSO.-- MARIA ATUESTA MAGALLANES: Olviden su enojo por favor, son solo unos chicos.....Bienaventurado el corazÃ³n donde el amor existe. Desde Cartagena mis oraciones por el regreso de estos jovenes. Anonymous miranda hurst Mirabelle D'Cunha Anne Weber Anne Beales Jim Hickey Rachel G: My heart is with them. Deanna Chilian Joel Leagans Anonymous Anonymous Devon O'Rorke-Wieneke Anonymous Brianne McGrath Tami Boettcher Anonymous: Heard on the radio - want them to come home. Joanna Dickins Jenna Friedenberg Anonymous Nate Lindstrom: See you soon Shane heather peroni Jennifer Le Clainche Caitlin Stein Anonymous Mary Specht: I know Iran will do the right thing. Solbritt Isaksson Abbey Steele Jodie Filpus Chris Hayes: Please come home safely! laura becerra Nick Thomas Victoria Valencia Melanie Dubin Kathleen Smith David AlfÃ¡ro Scordia Yoori Chung Kerrin Mitchell Lisa Anne Ross Anonymous Anonymous: Josh was my daughter's teacher during the last semester. It is clear to me he was a tourist, plain and simple, and should be released. Melody Isis Herman Anonymous Kasey Wooten Anonymous Breck Sullivan-Carpenter Emily Capilouto: Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers! Anonymous: We hope for their speedy and safe release! Sheri Rose: Please, please for humanity, please show you are decent people and release them to their families. Samantha: I worked with one of the hikers' siblings. Please, for the sake of their families, at least release some information, if not the hikers themselves. Toni Del Sorbo Anonymous Christine Jones Julie Thompson Mike Ernst Dustin Shubert Anonymous Kathy Cacciola Sandy D. Marie Carlisle Josh Dell Todd Deutsch Anonymous Jennifer Zinchuk Harper McDaniel Julia Thomas Lauren Gill Angelina Acevedo Christine Thiers Matthew MacLean Sarah Hobstetter Amelia Reese Masterson Laura Yamagata William Scalia Dennis H. Harris Adam Hess Sheri: Please return these young adults to their homes. Jessica Gingery Carol Anonymous Genji Schmeder Farooq Abrahem: I pray to you my teacher (Sarah). Hope to see you again, May Allah release you from them. erika bernheimer Cristina Paul Mary Ann Tenuto: Please let them come home to their families. James Conger R. L.: Please free these hikers. They are peaceful people. Yael Rivera Jamie Leslie: There does not appear to be a purpose in detaining these folks any longer. Please let them return home. Susan Pozniak: Storming the heavens with prayers for their safe return!!!! Patricia Costa Jacque Gulbrandson Anonymous: Please release the hikers. They are not political pawns but real people with families! Jeremiah Hair: Can't wait to see you all home soon... Shane M. Bauer Ben Felleman: Miss you Cous! Elizabeth Roland: Please allow Shane, Sarah, and Josh consular access, as well as contact with their families. To Shane, Sarah, and Josh: I hope that you are being treated well, and wish for your safe return to your family and friends. Anonymous: Young westerners choosing to travel in Iran sends a message of tolerance, and symbolize peace. I hope the Iranian government will choose to reciprocate by safely returning these young travelers home to their loved ones soon. My thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah, Josh, their families, and friends. Sean Hale Anonymous Lisa Rinaldi Anonymous Sandra Stafford Stephen Brown lesley cole Miriam Celi Rana Chowdhury Erin Ross Elizabeth Wright Aimee Bauer: You're in our thoughts and prayers. We hope to see you soon!!! Luke Weckman Debra Ling Alex Campbell Linsey Sandler Ann Hopp Cheryl Muck Anonymous Nathan Jersett Suzanna Storkamp: My thoughts and prayers are with the hikers and their families. Anonymous Craig Anderson: I think if you often, Sarah. I hope you are well and that this ends soon. Stephanie Martina Anonymous Tina Hyland: Please return Shane, Sarah, and Josh to their families. They are compassionate people who bear no ill will towards Iran, and they deserve to come home. Michael Baker Drew Jensen Kristina Lim: Please free our friends! Clare Yetter Blair Colby: Prayers Iran will let these innocent people go. Mike Swavola II: Best wishes to Josh, Shane, Sarah, Stay strong. Keep your faith. Come back soon. Please let these people go. -Mike Cara Gilpin Sara Benner Matt Roberts Meredith Walters: Sarah and Shane are two of my best friends. They are caring, loving, respectful people who are passionate about making the world a better place. I hope they come home safely, soundly, and swiftly. Marilyn Olson: Please release these three inocent people in the name of humanity, peace, and goodwill!! Rita Carlotto: Please release these innocent people! Dina Solomon Monica Carroll: I pray for a fast and safe return. Please free them! Cathy Whitney Jared Weber Mikael Thomas Bouckaert: If I were to list a thousand jobs Shane Bauer might have, FBI agent or CIA agent or anything having anything even remotely to do with the US Government would not be on that list. Amina Ghazi Ryan Farr: My prayers are with you!!! Anonymous Julie Oliger: Please release our kids for they meant no harm. Please forgive them as it is the right thing to do.Thank you!! Jennifer Barkan: Please be kind to our dear friends. Anonymous: Please free these young people and return them safe and sound to their waiting families! Amanda Kortuem Mark S. Nina Schrager Melanie Blais Jonathan Fieweger Jael Weinberg Darya Miller Benjamin Zack Allison Smith Ryan Weldon Bryan Zubay Virginia Paynter Sarah Gorney Anonymous Jenna Dunham: Please bring these 3 home safely!! Lucy M: Before he was captured, Josh was my daughter's teacher for 6 months in the International Honors Program. He had no ill intentions, but simply was naive and didn't understand the dangers involved in hiking in this region. Paula Tudorof: I ask the US government to work to release these three individuals. I know Josh's brother and have read about Sarah and Shane, each exceptional individuals and human beings. I ask the Iranian government to cooperate and release these three people to their families. My mind will continue to maintain hope that they are released soon. Stephanie Jacobson Howard Weinberg Todd Schwartz Anonymous Anonymous: They are good people, let them be ok Anonymous Anonymous Mike Bentele Jeannie Feld Anonymous: Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh to their home communities as their being there was an accident and belong amidst their friends and family. peace. Larry Feld Abhijay Goenka Georgina Quinones: Please let them go and be with their family they weren't harming anyone! Niki Foster Nicholas Stanzione Joan Rea Anonymous: Please bring them back! Anonymous Jeri Schwerin Katina N.: Please show mercy. Even though our countries have political conflict-show the U.S. and the rest of the world that you are not as bad as everyone would like to believe. Blessings to all. Anonymous monica brown Anonymous Anonymous: Have mercy on these children! Yaseen Karim Katie K.: Iran has the opportunity to make a positive change, to show compassion and fairness. Shane, Shara, and Josh have always demonstrated their compassion and respect for others. We need these good people in the world; we need these people to ensure peace. Please return Shane, Sarah, and Josh so they can continue to spread their kindness! Please return them to relieve their worried friends and family! Anonymous Anonymous Nathan Kleinman Anonymous Eliza Castro Bobbie Dougherty Margaret Roberts Anonymous Brenda A Davis: As a mother I would want to know my child is okay. My prayers are with all of you. Anonymous Nathan Stephens: Let them go! Thank you! Hannah Schwartz Candice Powers Anonymous Chris E. Vargas A L MacArthur: Please release the hikers; they do not belong in your prison. Tom McMullen Robyn Tevah: I feel so awful for their families; this could have been one of my kids....I hope they are out soon. I also second the remark about releasing them would be a good way for Iran to show they really want to be part of the community of nations. Andrew Sullivan John E. Nitchman Manuela Hernandez Fraile Carolina Zhang Nina Hoechtl Anonymous Rosemarie Chiarlone Joan Mizer Athene Greig Anonymous: Please release them. Carolyn McIntyre: I will keep Sarah, Shane and Josh in my prayers. Melissa Blade Anonymous farrah: please let them come back to the US!! Alex Herron Shannon Thomas Rachel Rothman Emma C Elizabeth Hoyos Kelli Alseth Anonymous Anonymous: Faith and Hope Anonymous Jeremiah Ross: They were hiking! How is that reason to hold them against there will? Let them go immediatley Kelly McFaul-Solem: ..it has been too many days, please take the letter written by the Moms to heart...release Shane, Sarah and Josh...this would be an especially meaningful way to commemorate the International Day of Peace on Sept 21st in keeping with that mission of "strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people." You and your families are in my thoughts every day... Julie Heller Kay Ostensen: Hello - we respectfully request your compassion in realizing the innocence of this mistake - 3 people who were seeking only to fully experience the majesty of nature and the mountains - and to release Sarah, Shane and Josh as soon as you possibly can. The world will gratefully acknowledge your act of ethics and courage, and the families of these fine youth will join in honoring your gov't and humbly, joyously celebrating their release. Kay Ostensen Rhena Magaziner Cara O'Brien Ellie Sigrist Anonymous: Praying for the release of these three young lives. God bless them and their families. Corrie Judge Ashley Torres: <3 Please send our hikers home <3 PASSION: Will it ever be possible for all walks of life to have respect and compassion no matter where one is from or what they believe? THINK OF THE SAYING: "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU" Whom ever it may be that can help these families/friends really need to look inside their hearts and do what is right. David Simmons: See ya soon! Rhoda Coleman: Please let them come home to their families. Having talked to Sarah before she left the US, I know her greatest desire was to bring respect, honor, and friendship to people from all cultures. Kerryanne: Please take a moment to read a bit about these three individuals. I believe that you will find they are peaceful and caring; and that they simply made an honest mistake by crossing into Iran. Thank you. Shanon Jaramillo: Three people making a difference in this world is what I see here. God Bless you three and your families and may you be delivered home unharmed. Alex Dennis Vogel Kim Vogel Brandy Jo Frei Mary Katherine Morrison: Our family will be praying for the safe return of your children. Anonymous Tom Shelton: Send them home now! Lonn Selbst: Justice requires that the hikers be released. Thank you. TheLamer Pat Schmidthuber: Love you, miss you, we think about you every day. We will see you soon. Janet Oliver: Whatever is pure, kind and honorable. Please think of those things as the world watches. The choice your country makes will fall in to the sight of all people. CB Pearson Peter Jordan Ruth Carroll Danielle Boileau Shannon Gorny Donovan Gorny Doug Odegard: If a stranger should come to your door, greet him or her with friendship and hospitality. Please, do not let international politics interfere with what is right. Release Sarah, Josh, and Shane to the loving arms of family and friends. Rachel Curran Thomas Kovacs: Please Iran do what is right. Amy McClintock Anonymous: We're all human beings here, let them go. They are probably scared to death and their families are worried sick. Do the right thing. stan grubbs: our family is praying daily for your safe return.. Heather M Bair Heather M Bair Erin Dupuis Joshua Kaiser william prine: I am praying for Josh, Sarah and Shane I hope they get home soon. Eric Prag: This truly is absurd. Release them. It doesn't take a month to do a background check. Nancy Padgett Carrie Aguilar: We respectfully ask that you release Sarah, Shane, and Josh right away. Please care for them, as you would your own children, in the interim. Anonymous Anonymous Stella Tripp Leila Rain: I hope they come back to you all safe :) good luck! I'll keep them in my thoughts and prayers Gundula Stoll Damon Rosario Anonymous Brianne Siciliano Alison Milianta: Please, send them home to their families. Maha: Josh, Shane and especially Sarah are too good to be into this mess. I'm 100% definite that they respect laws and they had no intention to enter Iran. And I know very well that there is no marking in that area!! Please, take an immediate step forward! Steve Silver: I wish the US government would ratchet up the pressure; these hikers must be released immediately. Shannon Bauer: I love and miss you Shane and Sarah. I hope to see the three of you home very soon. Komal Shah Joni Mitchell: Recognize that you have made a serious mistake, one that if you decide to reverse has the possibility of affecting the lives of these innocent, young people positively, and many other people who they have touched in their lives, versus if you stubbornly hold on to the false charges that you have no ability to prove, you do harm to many, including yourself and the reputation and relations of your country. RELEASE THE HIKERS! THEY ARE INNOCENT! Allison Whitehead: Please release the hikers to their loved ones! Anonymous Bari Cunningham Jessica Walters Amy Fatima Marquez Pacheco Alysabeth Alexander Anonymous Leslie Von Berg Anonymous Randy Barish: There is absolutely no reason for the detention of these innocent hikers. They pose no threat whatsoever to the Islamic Republic. They don't deserve this and need to be released without any conditions. We implore the people holding them to show compassion and humanity and release these hikers to their families as soon as possible. Anonymous Richard Rubin: Come home safe! j. johnson Jayne Huber Claire Parnell Robert J. N. Sanchez Anonymous Kandy Noles Stevens: Praying for the safe return of Sarah, Shane and Josh! God bless your families. Anonymous Anonymous: Free free free them. Akila Stewart Celina Elisabeth Luby Jessica Lundgren Sylvie Kearney Anonymous Anonymous Angela Singleton Michael Davis Ann Guiney Shayin S Gottlieb Rebekah Nagata James Haglin: Free the Hikers!!! Do some good! Eric Boulet Sara N: In my thoughts. Anonymous Anonymous Dustin Eirdosh Ashley Brock Humam AlMukhtar Shane Burke Celeste Calvet Avery Livengood Yapeng Zhou: i hope the three hikers could be sent back their home soon. Andrea Murray: We are eagerly awaiting their return! Stefan Zimmermann Michell Joy Jinayon: Please set them free. "Pakawalan nyo na po cla." Ekaterina Samolyak Alexa Shore Kristin Lindstrom Olga Fedeli: They are young, and happy to walk on this beautiful earth ... surely they didn't want to offend anybody. Please understand and let them free. Elizabeth Schafer: Come home soon! Anonymous Jennifer Donahue mike ferrand: compassion is something that should know no borders. Tai J Salisbury: highest good... Carlos Valdivia Anonymous Daniel Isaac King: I would like the Islamic Republic of Iran to understand that many people in our country, myself included, would like to be able to see the people of the Dar al Islam to learn from them and to build peace among us. I believe that Mr. Bauer and Fattal and Ms. Shourd had no other purpose than this in their visit to your neighbor, Iraq, and had no intention to in any way compromise the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I have dreamed of one day visiting your country in order to see the glory of the mosques of Isfahan, and to pay my respects to the works Shah Abbas. You will understand that I can never make this visit if my countrymen and friends are held in captivity with out due cause. I appeal to the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the cause of greater peace and friendship, that they release Ms. Shourd, and Mr. Fattal and Mr. Bauer. Anonymous stacy leonard Dwayne Hodgson: We respectfully ask the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to please release these young people. Carol Loverde Mark H. Morris: you have my prayers and my help...what ever I can do...may they be home very soon... Anonymous Jessica Ryan Westle Cynthia Weiss Janette Watt: While there are sometimes differences that separate the different people on this planet, we also share needs and beliefs that can allow us to live in peace. I know, and many people like me know, that the people of Iran need to ensure that they are safe, that their children are safe. Many of us who live in other parts of the world want this too. Many of us also respect your borders, and come to your land only if we are invited, and while there are respectful guests. From the stories that I have heard of these three young people, they share the same beliefs of respect and safety -- of respecting and honouring others, and never wanting to harm. Please release them back to their families knowing that they never meant harm. Sarah Kubley: In the name of peace please let these good harmless people go. They have a deep respect for all peoples and bear no ill will towards anyone. Their families and friends love and miss them. Claire Hooker: I feel for these three people's loved ones. Rosemary Kirincic Sue Josh vardey Felicia Nelson: I will be praying for the families who have been anguished over the detainment of their loved ones. Anonymous NINA SAADA Sara Plowman Susie Straussberger Tina Noren: Please send them home to their families. Kathleen O'Grady Lee Conway Anonymous Jess McConnell Anonymous Linnea Weiland Peter Pezzolo Jeremy Baudoin Monica R Shellie Cooke selena vegas Tikkei Knarr Anonymous Victor Chavez Daniel Bolton Heidi Hiler Oliver Holmes Judith Janec helaine Alon Norma Moreira Tamara Miller Rebecca Herman Alex Miller Raya Kuzyk: Stay brave! Olga Touloumi June Chung: Please free the hikers. Anonymous Elizabeth Prado TomÃ¡s RodrÃguez Samantha Topping Jelena Vidojevic Caroline Luis Anonymous Travis Wermerskirchen Jeff Griffiths megan lacera Anna Mewis: Freedom for Shane Sarah and Josh. Jennifer and Rodrigo Fuenzalida: With heart-felt wishes that the Iranian goverment will show compassion and good will toward these three citizens of the world. Susan Levey James Willis: FREE THE HIEKRS Anonymous Anonymous Marcela Wonsang Donna Benner Valerie Stahl Anonymous Jeremy Sultan Anonymous: I hope and pray for the safe return of these 3 hikers! Jonathon Hricko Natalie Senske Maria: Just peace PLEASE!!!!! and safe realeace for those in the hands of war. Libertad para todos los secuestrados. Hillary Dinkin Walter Todd Berman Veronica Rivera: Please release the hikers. Anonymous Anonymous Alexandra Lewin Kimberly Rafuse Paloma: I'm sure these young people are greatly missed by their families. Please let them go home to their loved ones. Cherie Lanam Anonymous Akshay Desai Paula Duarte: Queremos que regresen a sus hogares, al lado de sus madres y familia que tan preocupados estan por su bienestar Anonymous DeAnna D. Tibbs MESA INGLISH Zoe Feld John Soares: I hope the Iranian government treats the three hikers humanely and releases them as soon as possible. Julia Grigel marcus kryshka Chandra Abel Anonymous Kinga Dymek Mariana Carrera jennifer miller: Sarah, Shane, and Josh traveled to the Middle East to open their minds and hearts to new experiences and people, and to soak up the beauty there-nothing more. I hope for their speedy release. Sarah and Shane I miss you! Max Harris Isis Feral Panda Sekuhara Barbara Plate Anonymous Anna Baltzer: My friends Sarah & Shane are true supporters of peace & justice, and wish no harm on the Islamic Republic of Iran or any of its people. Please let them return to their families and loved ones. Matthew Lightner Dorrit Geshuri andrej grubacic Rachel Freifelder Tegra Fisk Eryn Hughes Amy Trader Rebecca Van Houdt Cathy Williamson Anonymous Anonymous Paula Garcia Jennifer Heyward Jeanne Kortz Logan Berrian Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Carol Lee: In Peace Kristi Kenney Carol Kort: My daughter told me about this disgraceful situation. I feel for their families and friends. Anna Elliott Connie Perry Monica Tauriello Joan Doyle Lauren Agresti: Please send Sarah, Shane and Josh home soon and safe. Thank you. Teresa Snyder-Nehl megan moriarty Lee Worden Amie Fishman Stephanie McNary Anonymous Iain Thomson: Releasing them would do a lot to show those in the US who think poorly of Iran that they are wrong. Francesca Gentille Paula Gardner Melissa Klein Leslie Jarrett Coger Eric Waters Jo Anne Bucholz Jennifer Allen Sara Margolis Ulysses Hillard Alana Theriault Rahula Janowski Arielle Slam Melody Binder Laura Turiano Loren Yglecias: Please set our friends free. They are wonderful people. Gwen Grierson: Please - think of their families!!!!!! Patricia Luna: I hope the Government of Iran will release our friends now. We have being waiting for long time to see them back home. Please do it now, and thanks for you time. Patrick Sandys Elisa Smith Jennifer Biehn: Please free our friends. Hikers should feel free to safely walk the beautfy of the mountains anywhere on planet earth. Ronald W. Thompson: Life is hard enough without making it more difficult for each other. Jen Cote Gregory Mengel Kelly M. King Morgan Holly Robert Shipp: Do the right thing here. DO THE RIGHT THING. Arline Epstein: Today is International Peace Day (Sept 21). I am praying for a peaceful and compassionate resolution for the three young hikers. Mike Duberowski Wendy Millstine Hilary Klein Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous tracy Phillips Daniel Fleischer Anonymous: Blessings to you and your families and the Iranian government. May you all be well. Peggy Edman: Nam myo ho renge kyo. Roya Jen Anonia Abe Doherty Debra Kerr: May Shane, Sarah and Josh be safe, and may Iran hear our compassionate concern for them and all people being held in places of conflict. May Iran release them soon and receive the benefits of goodwill that will follow. Micah Ariel Belma Gonzalez james harris: We all sometimes make mistakes. It sounds to me like the hikers accidentally crossed your border. Please show mercy and release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal. Sincerely James Harris marcella Trowbridge Tom Humphreys Greta Nettleton: To the Iranian authorities: Please show compassion for these three innocent young people and let them return home to their families. They have done nothing to harm your country. Doug Stange Anonymous Anonymous Richard Raab Kurt Weyland susan kukle: the young people were only hiking in unknown territory and not doing any evil acts. They should be released to their families and helped to freedom. Elisabeth Tapley Bonnie Griep Anonymous: Thank you for whatever you can do to free these three individuals. debbie brown Rosemarie: I pray for your safe return. Linda Wagner: :) Please realize your error and release these people to their families! Tim Weston Matt Anderson: Please bring these three young people home! We Miss them! Robert Campbell: Please release these three young people in the spirit of inter-cultural understanding and cooperation that they themselves profess! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Andrea Sierra Anonymous: Don't stop praying for the return of these 3 lives. God is in control. He can soften the hearts of the leaders in Iran who have the power to release the hikers. God can and will do great things. God can show the leaders the true hearts of the hikers. Don't give up!! Neoma Kenwood Anonymous Staci Glass: In thoughtful prayer today that Shane, Sarah and Josh are brought home safely immediately. Karen Tarapata: I hope that the Iranian government will show mercy to these unfortunate hikers. Chrisopher J. Haid Jeannine: Please don't use these young people as pawns. Let them go home! Thank you. Megan W. Troy Browne Sara Litke Anonymous: they made a mistake,please let them free,your pepole are welcom to the us,never would we lock them up if they wanted to come here,this isnt about religon or any polotics,they wanted to see your beutiful country and this is what happend Sasha Fisher Matthew Stargardter Anonymous Anonymous: There is such a thing as vacation. These people are not spies. Jorge Lacera carole chupp: We,the American people can trust that you will come to the realization that they meant no harm and you will let them return home unharmed. Anonymous Bob Akshay Tamara anonymous Jen Poole Carter Cleveland Sarah Aspinwall Bruce Abel: Act on compassion. Angela Robinson: Mistakes do happen. Anonymous: Please let their families have their children back!! Anonymous Roger Littge, M.D.: Our thoughts and prayers go out for these hikers to be freed as soon as possible. Lisa Young: Please free the hikers. They are innocent people. Their friends and family need them here. Michael Terry Charles Berry-Skillen Donna DiFelice: We get illegal imigrants here and when they are caught they are deported. They enter here knowing they are doing wrong and it is not a mistake. They made a mistake not a crime. Let them go! Anonymous Mary Ann Stech Anonymous: The family of Shane Bauer is praying every second, minute, hour of each day for their safe return. Enough is enough for these young people, God Speed for all 3 'Hikers' return and please we ask for the compassion of the Iran government, the USA government should step up to the plate like former President Bill Clinton helped the folks in Korea!!! Anonymous Kathleen Neuenschwander kathleen Moore Emily Knapp Katharine Kohler Piper Marckx Heather Koppes: Why are you doing this? You have no right to detain these three young people. Are you taking advantage of this situation to demonstrate your power? Release them immediately. Carolyn Witte Helene Gregoire Anonymous Anonymous Beverly dortch: Free the hikers! Rebekah Sligar Juanita Carroll Young: I'm a mom, and I know how worried this would make me feel. I pray they return soon! Linda Tuma: Shane's father appeared on the news this evening, and I wanted him and all family members and friends of Shane, Sarah, & Josh to know that I pray their love ones are free to come home soon. Stay strong & know that many people you don't know are with you in spirit. Anonymous Jessica Cooper Monica B Larry Leverett: We ask that Shane, Sarah and Josh be returned to their families. These are good young people who care for the ALL people. The three students are good members of the world community and only wish for good things for all the people of the world. Anne St Goar Tineke Ritmeester: Please, please, please, be compassionate, end the suffering by setting Shane, Sarah and Josh free as per immediate. Jackie: Let these guys come home!!!! Wesley Cuyler Bernard Dinkin Michael Stilley joan horn: Bring the kids home! Mirna Ponce Amy Anderson Jenny Nagel Aaron Nagel savannah Anonymous Ann Jessup Herleen Sethi: I pray for them to come home safely Jonah Beeken Bridgett Howard: Please help these three hikers. This is outrageous that they are still being held when they are innocent of any ill will. This is not fair. Laurel Beeken James. mitchell: In Jesus. Name they will be freed!! Anonymous: Consider to the facts and free these innocent human beings Shaun Benjamin Dan McLane: Freedom is the cornerstone of any advanced civilization. Steven Sirota: I have been friends with Josh for 16 years and can say with all confidence that his entry into Iran was a mistake. I pray for his quick release and return to his family. Anonymous Tatiana Makovkin Kristy K. McNulty: I just heard about this tonight on my local news. My prayers are with these hostages and their families. It is a crying shame that people cannot travel and be safe anymore. I pray and pray for all of the hostages that are truly not guilty be set free. If everyone had faith they would know that those who do wrong will have to meet his maker someday. Sonia Roman: I don't know these people; I have no ulterior motive in writing this. They are clearly compassionate and kindâ€”the world is a better place with them...let them go. Thank you and peace to all of us. Barbara Kavadias: It would be a wonderful gesture if the President of Iran would announce their release while he is visiting the United Nations Anonymous cynthia Navarro: bring them back home! Natalia Anderson Anonymous: Praise God! Iran have mercy on these three. Thanks. Ryan Hoffmann: THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD GRANT ALL OF THEM FREEDOM. I WILL BE VERY UPSET WITH OUR GOVERNMENT IF THEY DO NOT TAKE ACTION! GOD BLESS! Karen M. Unger Shirley Dixon: Praying for you to all be released soon. Maisie Greenwood Corrie Pruiett Emily Keller Roger Strang Richard Lambert Art Matusow sterling callier Bonny Vosu Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Please send these innocent people home. They are of great value to our society and the world. Anonymous Jane Mann Kim Siebold: Please set them free. Debbie Hanson Anonymous R. Cochrane: peace and compassion are the only answer Richard Tiffin: Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Matthew Bartels: We pray that they hikers are treated well and released immediately. Baylee Pentico Jessica Martin Llewellyn benjamin knight Sam Elias David Krieg Clayton Malmoe: I hope with all my heart that these people are treated fairly and respectfully. I also hope that the Iranian Government would act like human beings and make the right descision. Seth Frohma Marnie Chiasson Anonymous: They were on vacation they meant no harm to the Republic of Iran. Please set them free. Anonymous Bryan Kenyon Michelle Buchanan: This was nothing but an unfortunate mistake and I can only hope the Iranian government will soon release Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Anonymous Anonymous paravel renaud Anonymous mela chereau Anonymous Anonymous Kevin Donovan: They are good people that want only the best for your country and their people. I hope you will release them so they can continue to spread their good will throughout the world. Anonymous Denise Kinney Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Denise Mingus Anonymous Amy B Basford-Pequet: Sending light, love, and hope to all three of you. Anonymous Nataly Nadri: Please release them and send them home to their families. These 3 young people have their whole life ahead of them and their intention was not for wrongdoing. If the Iranian government has any sympathy or compassion for the life and family of others, they will release them as soon as they can. Anonymous Diana Maples: It just seems that common sense is missing from the world. They obviously made a mistake. Common sense should tell you that. Jordan McKinney Kimberly B. Jamie Jackson Dawn Delgado: Your are in our prayers. We bless you with peace, safety and a quick return home! eric Megan Smith Getinet Belay Sara Lesley Leahy Robert Becker ANNEâ€¦ Diane Langston: Iran should worry about more important things than 3 young nature lovers. Elisabeth Geddes: Please let these peaceful world travelers free & return safely home. May the age of fear & hate end quickly. Bab Matthew Hill Toni Bischoff: In this time of global travel and experiences please have compassion for the ones that made a mistake entering your country. I fully understand the need for security for your country and your concern for such but please show that honest mistakes will be treated as just that...honest mistakes. Terence John Kimball: My thoughts and prayers are with you guys Skye Bischoff: I hope the Iranian government can understand and forgive the mistake Shane, Sarah and Josh have made. While they should not have crossed into Iran, they did not intend any harm to Iran or its people. Please allow them consular access, give them a fair chance to explain their mistake, and allow them to be released. Kris Leveille Kimberlee de Korte: For my brother. Crystal Kiekel: These young people never intended any harm to anyone. Their only crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. To destroy people's lives for the purposes of political or personal gain is unconscionable, irrespective of culture, creed, or national origin. It is our moral imperative to send these people home to their families now, and to ensure that innocent lives are not destroyed for political gain again. Craig Dicht karolin konig Jumeau Daniel Christina Wolf Karine Rakotoarivony Rande Mandelblatt Anonymous: Please release these 3 innocent hikers and help yourself. laurent Ponce: FREEDOM !!! Claudia A. Homer Ellen B. Freed: Berkeley supports you! Linda Descoteaux Chris Turner Susan Layser: Please have some compassion. They trespassed unknowingly and mean your country no harm. Please release them to their families and friends. Anthony Albertson Anonymous: Your motivation for detaining these hikers is unclear. From a political perspective, these Americans do not represent any powerful interest groups, and detaining them will do little to advance conceivable aims. On the other hand, the negative effects of harboring hostages like these has severe, lasting economic implications for the region as chaotic and unstable. See Northern Ireland, Nicaragua, Libya. A high profile trespassing trial that ends quickly and with deportation is advised. Bruce Driscoll: Holding these people in your jail makes no sense and proves no point. You have nothing to gain by holding them and nothing to lose by setting them free. Tiffany Fisk Anonymous Anonymous Alexis R Anonymous Katy Matsuzaki Jenny Krause Anonymous Anonymous Elizabeth Castaneda David Christensen Megan Gross Victoria Strang Dawn Harfmann Charlene Grant Anonymous: Free the three! Portia Sampson-Knapp Caroline Augustus Julia Flasphaler Marianne Schwab ate m strype Nicole Schwartz Eli Mellen Beth Hartman Saul Axelrod Dianna Rodriguez Cristin Mowrer Anonymous Melissa Ausanka-Crues Alyssa Blaker Rebecca Drago Jenna Cameron Andrea Lofthouse-Quesada Hayley Sacks Julia Cole Rachel Laing Nicole W Samantha Kane Celeste Kaseburg: My thoughts and prayers go out to Shane and his family as well as Sarah and Josh. Hope to see you soon! Love you. Anonymous Zach Brooks Ileana de la Torre Jason N. Meggs, MCP, MPH: In the name of peace and justice, please release these three innocent and good people. Rita McConnell Barry D'Souza Anonymous Frank Turnham Anonymous: I hope the Iranian government will do the only sensible thing and return these fine people to the U.S. very very soon! Tiffney Grajek: Praying for your family to come home. Phyllis Williams: These inocent tourists are being held unjustly. We ache to see them safely returned to their families. Marie G. Lamb: Praying that all three are released soon. Please let the parents know that others care deeply. Pierre Bena Brent Rosenthal Anonymous William Rockwood Jessica Bauer Kyra Jackson Anonymous Marie Valoris: My children went to school with Alex (Lisa, Jamie, BJ and Ryan) The Valoris family are keeping Josh, Shane and Sarah in our prayers. marie valoris: My children Lisa, Jamie, BJ, and Ryan had the fortune to go to school with Josh. We are all keeping everyone in our prayers. Ayanna Young: This is not right people don't realize so I'm going to spead the word you should to!!!!!!! Jennifer Mike Gainor: Please reunite these caring, talented young people with their families. david gintis: I wish you all a safe return soon and I am praying for you all. I have known Josh Fattal and his family for more than 20 years and I can honestly say he, nor any members of his family have a bad bone in their bodies. The Iranian Government, knows just as well as we do, that Sarah, Shane, and Josh had no intention of ever entering Iran, and it was a mistake, a simple mistake. Iran knows this, but they are tyring to be the bully in this situation. This is what they are doing to us for us entering in their Presidential election process. President Obama, I voted for you. Please stop going on talk shows, and sporting events, and get these kids home NOW. You spoke of, and continue to speak of change. Talk is cheap. CHANGE JOSH, SHANE, AND SARAH'S SITUATION AND BRING THEM HOME. Ruth Friedman: Iran, please do the right thing and let these kids come home. They are not guilty of anything other than making an unfortunate mistake. Nicole Hanger Laura Case: Free the Hikers! Sallie Constant Anonymous Elizabeth Lindner Amy: Let them go it was just a unfortunate mistake. They meant no harm.Live happy and be kind !! Victoria Anonymous Maddie Paz: Please free the hikers!!! Anonymous Melanie Pickrell: Sarah I remember having a great time with you on several family outings with us.. Emily's mom. Melissa Hanson Sandy Baiocco Anonymous Mary Villanueva: I hope that Iran realizes that these are young people out on an excursion who accidentally strayed into Iran. It was easy to make this mistake given that there were no markers indicating that a border into Iran had been crossed. These are young people with no political agenda. It is my hope that the Iranian government recognizes that and proves itself to be a contributing member to the goodwill of a world society by returning these innocent young people to their country and to the family and friends who love them. Rosalind Holtzman: For the sake of all the mothers and fathers of our world, the sisters and brothers, and friends, free these young people, who have done Iran no harm and wish no ill will. Claire @ John North: Please release these children...they meant no harm and have been caught in a cycle of diplomatic issues. Show your humanity and compassion and return these kids to their families. Thank you Oded Gurantz Paige Pihl Buckley Trey Parker: Please free the hikers. Brandi Best: Send them home to their families. Peace be with you all. Samantha Rivera: Human rights are universal. We hope that a person's nationality does not rob them of their basic rights; the ones they, as human beings, deserve. Ardo Noor Anna Dvorak: Please free these hikers! This is not right and they did not cause any harm! Anonymous Megan Schikal Andrew Saito: I know Sarah. She is an upstanding individual who respects and cherishes all cultures. Her intentions were by no means disrespectful. She was at Ahmed Awa waterfall to honor the natural beauty of Kurdistan. Neither Sarah, Shane nor Josh pose no threat to Iranian security in any way. Like all people, they deserve to be safe with their families. Brian Knutson LuAn Woods Anna Rogers: This planet is inhabited by all of us if we cannot get along there is no where else to go at the moment. If we hurt our neighbors on this planet we are only hurting ourselves. We need to learn to have compassion for all, please release the hikers. Elizabeth Lock nora shourd: I appeal to the Iranian goverment to release Sarah,Shane and Josh..They mistakedly crossed an unmarked border,nothing more. Please let them come home. Gloria Campuzano Gary Vaughan Cynthia Ryan Nancy Ernst Richards Jeremy Hogan Rita Gallagher Geoffrey Lee pam and dave krohn Elizabeth Jackson Rev. Shekinah Samaya Neil Drumm Larisa Shaterian Anonymous Anonymous Kathleen M. Courtois Grace DeRosaa: FREE THE HIKERS! Julia Griffen Carolyn Seefer: As the mother of a current UC Berkeley student, I am pleading with you to please let these three young people come back home where they belong. Karen Finlayson: These kids have families! Why are they being held because they accidentally crossed an unmarked border?? Dan Richards Allen Wallach Anonymous Jordan Christensen Cathy Jaskiewicz Michael Aram Trevor Maher Eliot Pavlov-Rosenfeld ALMA MADDOX: Jail is for criminals. These are not criminals but upstanding young people that only want to do good. Please let them go Anonymous John Gregory Young: If Iran has any reason, then they will release these hikers. Hopefully, they do. Sandy Hoffstein Nicola Wood: It sounds like Iran would have anything but good things to gain from the release of these people. Robert Corso: These are innocent students. Please do not use them as a political pawn. Larisa Jaskiewicz Jeffrey Aguinaldo Emily Dixon Emily Keaty Victoria Seifert Abigail Smith John Burke Margo Morgenlander Anonymous Leila Mabourakh Anonymous Jesse Mostoller Jonathan Goldblatt: This was an honest mistake made because of directions given by local folks. I think it iby the fact thaterative that this not become an international relations problem between the United States and Iran. This is an issue of humanity, not politics. Cindy Garza Stefania Marchese: The respect for life goes beyond any boundary, religious, political or ethical. Please free them, this is a request from a human being, to a human being. Nothing more, nothing less. Thank you. Hector Erburo: Let them go we don't keep immigrants captive here! We deport them. Harry Wyeth: It's easy and understandable for hikers to make a wrong turn, especially in unfamiliar territory. Erica James Tracy Walter Gaddis Ani Tendol: All of the nuns from Keydong Thuk-Che-ChoLing will pray for them. vignol: be with you Burge Abiral Maranda Duval Rebecca LaChance: May they all return to their families safe, sound, and soon. Anonymous: Please Release the innocent hikers. Jean Klett Gloria Campuzano Leslie Klein Matt Perrine: I pray for their safe return home! Brandon Humphrey Bruce Burdick Jennie Barron phil cross: i can't believe the apathy people have in regards to this situation! COURTNEY SPENCE Ruth Laurie Winestock Jacob Montgomery Bianca Murillo: Have some compassion and understand an accident. Grant them basic human rights. Pamela S Centers Hannah Melissa Mandel Tierra Dulce: Please help. Thank you. Emily Katz: Be strong. Justice will be served. Ann Schwartz Paul Carew Joan Tiffany Brandon Knopp: Make it home safely! Corinne Conklin: Please release the three hikers who mistakenly crossed the border. Anonymous Mary Ross: The hiker have been in my prayers since I first heard about this on NPR. I will keep the vigil. Doris Boroje Eleza Kort Christine Brown Kacie Woodis Gwynne Morrissey Bruna Maia Rebekah Ross: PLEASE do the right thing and release these people! Jenna Roberg Tim Rinden: Praying for their safe return! Anonymous Brynn Alford: These three will be in my prayers. Lee Stalcup Jaci Moravec: Please let them free! Love you Shane. Caithlin Madigan: Please release these three! Anonymous: Please free these young adults. Anonymous: Please show mercy, these kids made a mistake. Show good faith and set them free, back to their families. Jane Mann Anonymous Kristin Belkin Lindley Hickox Kathryn Schuettinger Anonymous: "keep on keepin on" - Anonymous Jamie Sharp Jaclyn Sargent Anonymous Anonymous Valerie Carroll Lisa Bass Bruno PIszorowicz Katharina Kempf Anonymous Sabrina Fox-Bosetti Kevin Caplicki Patti Anonymous mandy waite Jainey Bavishi Alexis Krivoshik Anonymous Anonymous Caitlin LaMorte Malarie Gokey Anonymous James C Ferreira shamsi ruhe Peter Strickland Anonymous Anonymous Alyssa Featherston Pam Cocores: Please hear the plea of family and friends and safely return Sarah, Josh and Shane to their families. Caroline Seth Featherston Kate Mason: My thoughts are with all of you! Jesse Moore Marcella Hausen Jeannie Schroder Juliette Smith Andrea Kendall Lucas Guilkey Taryn Roche Christine Sullivan-Althaus Hannah Jegart Anonymous Anonymous Jake Orben Corinne Burnham: You are in our thoughts and prayers! rob brooks: We are all praying for your safe return. Amber S Justin Ratcliff lena: I saw their families on the Today Show this morning, and my heart goes out to them. I could not think to know what I would do if my kids were to go through something like this. Mike Moore: Praying for all of you. The Iranian government should be ashamed for detaining people for such minor offenses. There are much more serious problems they could be interested in, not holding innocent people that made an honest mistake by going somewhere they should not have. It seems to me that Iran should re-evaluate the seriousness of this mistake. I pray they will release these 3 people asap. Heather Alewine Anonymous Beatriz Sierra Charles Kelly: I pray for their safe return. David Bird MELISSA Angela Passariella: I am hoping and praying for the safe return of all 3 hikers.. Anonymous: As an avid hiker myself, I know how simple it is to take a wrong turn whilst still feeling like you're "on a trail." Clearly this was an understandable mistake, but certainly not an intentional one. To those within the Iranian government with the authority to release these three young people, please we implore you to do just that. Anonymous: If there are guards to watch borders and arrest those who mistakenly cross them, why are they not also clearly marked with warning signs? We must be ever vigilant when traveling abroad, in the world today, it seems we cannot expect our human rights to be honored. Dave: Please release Josh, Sarah, and Shane. Our generation just wants to find out more about the world, other cultures and people but they mean no harm and do not represent or work for the US Govt. "If you know you're going to reach your final destination, why bother setting out in the first place?" In this situation, the hikers didn't know their final destination would Iran or an Iranian prison. Sherri Stout Kails Shatteen Samantha Crilly: Keeping you in my thoughts Anonymous Eve Wesson Anonymous Jo Beth Dempsey: Please send them back to their families--they did no wrong, and no harm. Anonymous Konstantin Getmanchuk Dolores Sandoval: To the Shourd, Fattal, and Bauer families, I hope that your loved ones are brought home to you soon and unharmed. My thoughts are with your loved ones and families for a safe return. Nadia Johnson Ivan Sperber Jonathan Geiger David Keen Curtis Elkshoulder: Even though tensions between the U.S. and Iran have increased, the three American Hikers need to be relased to their families. I pray comfort for the families of these hikers and that they return home safely. GOD BLESS THEM and AMERICA! Rebecca Katz Sarah Minney Patrick Lee: I would like to see the Iranian government cease playing chess with living persons. Rob Reynolds Anonymous: Bring them all home to their families! They where just hiking. Emily Simons Anonymous Anonymous Layne Jones Suzanna Challen Joe Boxman Diane Robinson Devin W. Daedelow Susan Blank Laura Kurimai Josh Benedek Anonymous Anonymous Rachel Nahon Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Alexandra Wennberg Anonymous: Please free these lovely people as they have no pollitical motives but rather, took a wrong turn and entered your country by mistake. They have no agenda and desperately want to get back to their lives and contact their families. Nancy Barnes Cheri Glogower Randy: Free the Hikers Allyson Griffith: This situation is absolutely tragic. Praying each day for your release. God Bless each of you. Stay strong!! Ryan Savage Alyssa Rochelle Dilday Daniel Battin Anonymous: I pray they are safe and returned to their families right away. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: They are in my prayers. Scott Rabinowitz: Come home everybody. You are in my thoughts and prayers Anonymous Reginald A. Lamkin: Please Mr. President of Iran, release these three good peaceful people, whose only fault was that they loved to hike and loved the mountains. As I understand it, the border isn't marked or marked well, so this was an honest mistake. Please show how good you and your country can be and have compassion on these individuals. We are all sorry. We trust your country to do the right thing, and bring them home. Thank you. Dan Kaufman Anonymous Anonymous Janice Pope Nicholas Bennett Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Justin Pfeifer Amy Beth Kirsten Rosa Barigon: Please release the hikers now! Linda: These hikers accidentally entered Iran and they should be given consideration in this regard. Please show humanitarian concern and release them; as they are not criminals. They made an innocent mistake anyone could make. Erin Diaz Patricia Svilik Anonymous Shannon Johnson Anonymous Rob Mullen Anonymous: Let us live in peace. Steve Myers Enrique Coello Robert A. Sheridan III Star Padilla Sylvia Shaykis Alex Fomenko Victoria: My thoughts and prayers are with you! Hope you return soon; safe and sound, without harm. Dustin Rohde janet bimbo: please free these people they need to come back to the states this is so wrong of what you iran as a whole is doing. Lori Tuter: Peace brings hope for all humanity. John Tuter Bruce Giddings: My thoughts and prayers are with the hikers and their families. Please release these young people, so they may be reunited with their families. Jessie Yoh Natalie Dudeck: I pray for their safe and timely return! God bless! noel flanagan: peace and goodwill! Jessica Wilson: I too am a young American who loves to travel to other countries. People like us love to explore other regions of the world, and we appreciate meeting and accepting other peoples and cultures. If anything, Shane, Sarah, and Josh are the perfect diplomats to enter Iran. Let them return to their families. Kathryn Sperling Laura Wesson Jacqueline Gulotta Anonymous Josh Lichhtman Tamara Ort Mark Persky Anonymous: We are praying for their immediate release. A Lall Jennifer Jenkins Regina Conrad Anonymous Julian Euma Matthews James Wilson: May the hand of God set you free. Anonymous Deborah Fries: Please return these peaceful young people to their homes. Angela Dessain Richard Hirsch Youn Park: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh return home to their family and friends. Thank you. Anonymous David Mello Kyle Hagenbuch Anonymous Seth Chambers: Show mercy and be shown mercy. Shannon Hawkes Michelle Palmer Anonymous: No Borders! Leo Galvan: I hope you guys return home safe! Amanda Mayo Anonymous Zach Seidman Haley Wulfman Anonymous Kevin DeSoto Anonymous Anonymous chrysoula Tim Berens Katherine Hiebert Mel Tran Jane Hodge: I am a friend of Josh Fattal's, and I know he would not wish harm on anyone. Please let him go. Anonymous: Please release these 3 young people. Prayers for understanding and peace. Margarita Anonymous David Burns C. Noelle McNaughton Leslie Beckman Emilee Bell Anonymous Amy Ling: Please return these journalists to their families! Sarah Ryan Anonymous Anonymous Kristy Cowart: please return these people to their families. Anonymous Alison Swayne Alison Swayne Aimee Weiss Anonymous Nicole Eide Leslie Mahoney Katie Lane Richard Chrisman Molly Greenberg Anonymous Ruth Morrison Anonymous: We pray for your safety and fast return to your families and loved ones. Don't give up! Anonymous Elizabeth Fisher Laura E. Dickman Anonymous Harper Sibley: They are in captivity for no reason. Please release them; their only crime was exploring the world and crossing an imaginary line between two imaginary "nations." Jonathan Schneider Rebecca Dautoff Helen Carpenter Sabrina Malach Anna Tracht Gabrielle Guilmar Kalu Long Ben Glicksberg Cerridwen Christensen Laila DiGuilio Folashade Modupe Alexander Brehm joanna Kent Katz Brittany Anderson Zoe Johannes Corey Zorn Barbara Williams Anonymous Anonymous Sarah Martin Robin Skura Kavita Gadani Anonymous Tristanne Davis Erica Astarita Anonymous Anonymous James Dauster Christy Harmony Yip Sarah Motola Jill A. Goldstein Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS!!! Anonymous Sebastian Rachel Cohen Sayed sarchashmah Chiffonia Lam: I hope for their immediate release and will pray for the hikers and their families. Derek Elliott Bagley Yogeeta Manglani Nathaniel Moore margo olson Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Marena Lai Ashley Stingel Cheyenne Kinch Alexander Goldberg Hannah Kagan-Moore Arielle Bernard Austin Sullivan: Let them go!! Tim Nichols Julia DeGemmis Rob Morlino Anonymous uli vsanden julia booz Ullrey FRAN SION ROBERT SION Jeremy Roth Kyle Ryan: Come home soon friends! Kris Jacobson Richard Schwartz Samantha Vigil: Best of luck for a safe and speedy return home. Carol McElroy: Please let them come home. Lindsay Feldman Amy Semaya Anonymous: I hope they get to return home. It must be hard for them to graduate from college to only know they would end up in a prison. Jennifer Lipton Samantha Levens Suzanne Olajos Sophia Wang Julie Cai Valerie Bogard Sarah Edwards: Please bring them home! Krista Ganoe Nick Gebauer Kriti Gongal Brian and Jill Hood: You are in our thoughts and prayers. Anonymous Kerri Felix Erik Ruttenberg Lindsay Elliott Greg Cohen Aviva Asher Anonymous Emily Nickel Anine Booth Austin Peterson Anonymous Anonymous: They, along with their families, are in my prayers! Anonymous Anonymous John Cronin Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Lynn simmons Anonymous Carol Mosher: Shane spoke at a United Nations Association film festival. Praying for the safe return of Shane, Sarah and Josh. Andrea Murray Nicolaas Strik A-yo Henry Travis Lynn Harvey: I hope to see them back with there families soon Anonymous Debra Sears Tamara Hubbard Rachel Brock Clearwater: Please help Josh, Shane and Sarah to come home soon. We miss them very much. Anonymous Anonymous: Politics must step aside. Our prayers are with the hikers and the people who know and love them. We will have Faith and Hope. When they are freed (and they will be) we will have Joy. Leslee Frye Anonymous Beth Silver: Enough is enough already, set them free. Tara Annesley: We very humbly ask you to please release them and let them return home. Carol Levine Justin Taylor Seth Joseph Becky Cotter (nee Czajka) Anonymous Katie Gillett Betty Hua Anonymous Anonymous Mike Brody cindy al khasawneh Allison Dawn Ellars erin Chris Schirm Therese Suel Anonymous: Prayers for a speedy release Anonymous Maureen Robina Moyer Joshua Lyons: PEACE ON EARTH Stacey Whorton A. Zoe Bachman Emily Antenucci Janet Groth Anonymous jean livesay Ashley Vance: please free the hikers! Ashley Vance Nicole Rath Debbie Hagan: I have never met these free spirits, but I do know the love of hiking and love of God's earth, as I live in beautiful Montana. I will pray for them daily until they are returned safely home to their families. Bright Bitterroot Blessings DR Hanson Laura Helton Hannah Greendorfer Brittany Berryman Anonymous: These are young people who were not intending anyone any harm. Please be reasonable and release them today. The Rev. Nancy Roth: Please imagine how you would feel if you were one of the parents of these idealistic young people. Anonymous Anonymous Matt Miller Paul Hogarth: As a UC Berkeley alum, I am outraged that these good kids are being detained. Anonymous Catherine Gunther-Murphy Heather Leba Christina Gunther-Murphy Anonymous: Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Kelly Schmitz Greg Yagoda MICHAEL HIRST: There is little if any justification for holding them. To the Iranian government; You have said repeatedly that the American people are not your enemy. These young honorable people who hold no malice toward your nation, it is time you let them return to their family and friends. Ale Lauth Tiffany Angus: Please release the innocent hikers that entered Iran unknowingly- their families and friends miss them. Respectfully, Tiffany Anne Bradshaw Anonymous Anonymous: My thoughts and prayers are with you all and your families, friends and loved ones. Liza Sacks Anonymous Linda Stein Anonymous: We thank you for hearing us and for releasing these sentient beings back home. Tina (Shourd)Burns Anonymous Anonymous Anthony Klaumenzer Brooke Estilow Anonymous Danielle Flowers jayme vineyard: please please please please please let these good young people go. This has all been a misunderstanding. Rachele julia frances Barbara A. Crabtree: I hope that the Iranian government will return these people to their families soon! I don't personally know any of the hikers, but after hearing and reading their stories it is obvious that they mean to ill will toward Iran. They deserve and their families deserve to have them returned and this nightmare over! Spencer Tweedy Michelle Gaither Anonymous April Hautea Chelsea Anne Stephen Ballif: Please read this and consider the families involved. Simon Lehembre Jessica Beck Stephanie Klein Fisher ryan heiser fred wollman: our prayers are with these young people of the world. Anonymous carol king Eliza Perlmutter Joanna Carichner: May all who walk in peace, be met with peace. Carly Deicher Jerome Goettl Amanda Anonymous Mahtab zAzimi Anonymous Ellie Willard Anonymous Anonymous melia mcfarland sonya lipps: the right thing shall be done Karen Gurmankin Michelle Kiry Kristyann Kiry Louise Foster Greg Foster Fran Kirsch William Haardt: Please return these US citizens to their families, as they pose no threat to Iran and should be released immediately. Annette Shotz Michelle Brisgone Mark Gralnick Jon Kriegel Nancy Gralnick Eli Goldblatt Aaron Silverman Nick Rieders Eric Hall Gavin Lloyd Brandon Lloyd Adam Alper Anonymous Nick Grunwald Michael Swavola Kevin Seidman Terry Moskowitz Philip Witman Mickey Simon Wes Myers Kyle Comber Jen Strayline Peter D'Agostino Lance Sussman Bill Dell Cindy Rubino Anonymous Penny Freed Stephanie Zee Amy Weinstein Anonymous Ben Dovre: I am continually thinking of these families. By keeping these three present within each of us we can be sure they are not forgotten and that they return home safely. Anonymous Lisa Grazzini Tonya Gray Shawn Gray Sherry Tompkins Sean Edwards Michael: Let's hope that the hikers will return home! Anonymous: These peaceful people deserve compassion and freedom. Their families deserve contact and restful nights. Please return them home! Blessings... Nancy Castleman steve gunther-murphy: The Iranians need to understand that young people are adventurers and intend no harm to their people or government. Cara Willaert Peter Ralph: Send them home! We miss them! Megan E Klein Ken Blakley: No harm. No foul. Just deport them. As we would, as we would in the U.S. Alex Safron Robyn Copas Jennifer Rhodes: My family prays for the release of Shane,Sarah and Josh. I don't know any of them, but I know they have loved ones who miss and want them home. Jake Aronson Rebecca Christoforo RJ Roth Anonymous Rosemary Thomas Carolina Zena David Keenan: Mr. Ahmadinejad and Mr. Khamenei, please show compassion by releasing these harmless travellers into the arms of their families and friends, who miss them very, very much. They are kind folk who never meant any harm. So please, give our friends back to us. Anonymous Amber C Smith: This is ridiculous! Surely there must be SOME Iranian with an ounce of reason. I pray God brings that person to this case so they can get back home where they belong! Anonymous: If we're ever going to see a world at peace, we need to accept and forgive each other's minor and inadvertent trespasses. Karen Welliver Anonymous: I'm a commercial photographer of 37 years, and met Shane through my kids. He impressed me as an inspirational young man, whose passion for photography transcended in his portfolio of wonderful artistic imagery. I didn't know his two friends on the hike, but the company Shane kept were honorable people who truly cared for all mankind. I ask that you allow these three young adults to leave Iranian captivity peacefully. Jonathan Puritz William Ferares Keeley Philbrook Gerri Detweiler: ...thoughts and prayers with them and their families... Kit Walker Marvin Warren: I write as a lover of the natural world and hiking, as well as one who greatly appreciates the culture, music and history of your country. Please honor these people with your compassion and forgiveness--they are your cousins. Kevin Starbard Kelli Scheid Irene Johnson Nate EB Janet Castleman: Laura and Muriel, my heart goes out to you, to all of the families, and of course to the hikers. Although I haven't seen you in many decades, I felt like I still know you as I read your comments and saw the touching photos. You are still the wonderful people I fondly remember from Sterling St. My thoughts are with you all. Merle A. Bercow: These young people appear to have made a mistake and crossed over your border. They deserve compassion. Please release them to their families who I'm sure will be eternally grateful to the people and government of Iran. Jamie Goddard Anonymous: In solidarity and peace. Please release these travelers. Laurie Vergin: These hikers made a mistake, something that all humans have in common. No one is perfect, but they meant to harm and would not have intentionally crossed into Iran. Eve Utyro Lynsay Caylor: As an avid hiker myself, I can concur with this statement. Hikers are people who love to enjoy our natural earth and cause no harm along the way. I strongly urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to consider this a common mistake due to unmarked borders. My thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah, Josh, and their friends and family. All of us wish for their safe return. Judi Mayer: Please find that place in your heart where 'humanity' still resides and let them go. They are not 'bartering pieces,' just lovely young human beings who deserve to be free. Meg Shanley: Please free the hikers! Linda Heaton Katie Foster Karl Wagner Tracy Clay Anonymous Stefi Barna: ?? ?????? ? ??? ????? Valerie S. Kelley: This must be political...just let them come home. Jenna Clyne: Show some humanity to these innocent people. They made a mistake, it was a accident and not a crime. Let them go home. Ming Lai: The families, friends and supporters of Shane, Sarah and Josh share the deep hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion in this unfortunate case and release them as soon as possible. Sam Klemet Autumn Juetten: Please stop punishing them and their families for a love of beautiful surroundings. A peaceful hike went horribly wrong. Let's put it behind us. Matthew Nathan Castens, RN Vicki Foss Anonymous: I hope they can see their families soon. Colleen Klemet Anonymous: There needs to be true discussion and compassion. Nathan Johnson Becky Schueller Anonymous Lori Sarah Shivers Fred Maunu: Please let these people go! Sarah Rydberg Cathy Smith Anonymous Daniel Cohen Lydia Daniller: sending much love, strength, and endurance to the hikers and their families.... natia andguladze Jeff and Julie Pieper and Kids: Be strong and have faith....? Anonymous: We miss you! Jennifer Bell Ryan Smith: My thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families. Let's all hope they come home safely as soon as possible. Maribel da Mata Matt Rossi Anonymous: I'm from Poland. Their families are missing them, please release the US hikers. Ellen Birek Cecil Shourd: I pray that you all will return home soon safely. Sarah, I would love to hear from you upon your return. Shara Brager Kellie Huxtable: My family knows Josh and our prayers are with all three! Lori Werner Andrew Lipman Phillip Guttmann Katie Dow Anonymous Lisa Burrows Molly Huebscher: My prayers are with all the hikers and their families. May they all come home soon! Anonymous Meredith Rosenberg Anonymous Nacoal Kreuser Jennifer Echeverria: Hopefully they will be released soon... Peter Jones: Canadians stand with you also. Kathy Farina fern ives: there are so many people sending you positive energy and love in this time of darkness. wherever you are i hope that you are keeping your spirits up..and know that when this is all over and you are back home with those that you love it will just be another crazy experience in life that makes you who you are. let it be a safe journey home to you 3.. Anonymous Juliana Kramer: I went to high school very close to where Josh went, my cousin went to Cheltenham HS with Josh and I know she misses him a lot. It has brought this home for me and I know that I, as a peace loving hippie type, could easily have been found hiking in a beautiful touristy waterfall area in the middle east. We are all one. Love and Light to all, Juliana Amy Merzanis Christine Lessard Adrea Olson: Please get them home to their friends and families and so they can continue to make the world a better place. Janay Jones: Please give these families back their sons and daughter. judith balmin: release our good buddies! Anonymous: My prayers are with these kids and their families.I pray that Islamic Republic of Iran will safely release these kids soon to their family and friends. God Bless Dusti Mosher: Isanti, Minnesota USA Anonymous Jane Feldgus Kevin Carducci: a safe and speedy return is what these three and their families deserve! Seema Kakad: Please return them to their families soon! Sandra Legler: It would be a gesture of goodwill by the Iranian Government to release these innocent hikers. They are not spies, but crossed the unmarked border by mistake. Iran has no need to keep these hikers prisoners. The world at large will think better of Iran if these hikers are returned to their families for humanitarian reasons. Joni Tompkins: Words cannot express Karol Appel Elaine Osen Mr. & Mrs L Feldgus lynn feldgus Anonymous Lisa Palombi: Waiting for the day when we can all walk the planet in peace. luz sundkvist: MI APOYO HACIA LAS FAMILIA QUE SE ACABE CON ESA PESADILLA Y QUE LOS DEJAN LIBRES LO MAS PRONTO POSIBLE UN ABRAZO PARA ALEX Y SU FAMILIA LO MISMO QUE PARA LAS FAMILIAS DE LOS OTRAS DOS PERSONAS Y QUE TODO SALGA MUY BIEN. Anonymous Missy Pesek Kim Harris Ernst Karel D'Andra Robb-Bryan: We don't understand why these three peaceful and caring people would be detained in such a manner. Please let them go so that they can come home and speak good of your country. Rosemary Harbuck Ellen L. Asam lori johnson Latif Mawani BARI Nelkin Anne K. Brown Gail Korostoff: Waiting for their release. Sarah Adams Cathy Nagel Susan Markey: This is crazy. Let them go home to their families! Anonymous chris Pavonetti Anonymous Rachel Brooks: These people mean you no harm. Please send them home to their families. Roberto De Vogli Jennifer Mack Daniel Gorman Scott Veirs Anonymous Hilarie Weiss Christa Lokiec Ben Lokiec Hal Smith: I think Iran should treat them nicely. Hal Smith: I think Iran should treat them nicely. Mike and Kathy Linn: We are praying for these 3 young people and their families. Stay focused and strong. Feel the love and support of all. Andrew McDowell Brian Zaslow fern lerner Carolyn Shanken-Kaye: They're innocent kids...let them go... Anonymous Barry Weintraub Steven Zlotnick Anonymous Lynn Horn katherine koziar Paula Spencer: Please allow these three young people to come home! Ann DiCaterino John Dunne Anonymous: I'll keep them in my prayers. Jane Labencki Matt Carrigan: We miss these beautiful people and want them back home safely. Kurt Rutter Richard Brown Michael Black Megan Jonasen James Wilson Anonymous Sara Levitt Pamela Kirsch: We love and miss you! Cynthia Smith Johanna Silver Holly Anthony D'Agostino Lorraine G. Jakstys-Goldberg Margery Appelbaum Joy Shore Kevin Pass Mary Schmidthuber Henry Darragh Anonymous Adam Goff Anonymous Anonymous George Shore Doris Sommer: I hope very sincerely that the Iranian authorities will release these innocent young people. It will be a credit to human understanding and compassion that can join us across borders. P. Gibbons: Please send them home. Marlene Stern Monica Carroll Paula Thacker Paul Piccirilli Stefania Animento jumeau daniel carole beris Cindy Taubmana: Please send them home. Jennifer Brandabur: Please consider this from the viewpoint of a parent. To be 'in the dark' for months without communication from one of your children is heart wrenching. Anh-Thu Ngo Anthony D. Shore Pat Carter Randy Kirsch Patricia Shore Angelique Jenney E J Friedman Mary Beth Carroll Anonymous megan profeta Anonymous Almas Mawani: I am a mother. I met Josh and he is every mother's dream son. He is a very good man. We need people like him in the world. Please release him and his friends. Anthony Chou: Oh Supreme Leader Ali Hoseyni Kh?meneâ€™i live forever. May you and your nation be blessed by God and prosper. The family and friends of your servants humbly request your voice in the Judiciary that your servants Josh Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd would be expediently allowed to continue their journey and also tell of the world of the richness and hospitality of the sovereign Islamic Republic of Iran. May your cause as a righteous bastion endure. Emilie Glass Anonymous Della Lazarus: I consider the detaining of these young people to be a mistake and respectfully ask that they be released in the immediate future. Thank you for your consideration. Anonymous Anonymous: Please free the hikers Allison Beller-Grossman Susan Pardys Sandra Moll Anonymous Lucinda Long: It is outrageous that they were arrested and it's shameful and inexcusable that the US government is not taking every step possible to get them released. The government should be keeping this imprisonment in the press and should be sending envoys (why not Bill Clinton?) to demand and negotiate their release. Joanna Bottaro TERIANO SAIDIMU Anonymous Leslie Elliott: They meant to harm, please release them now. Alex P Anonymous Ashleigh Sullivan Alexis Ornellas bella Anonymous Anonymous Barry Ross Anna Herman Kate Arbaugh Carly Anonymous Shane Clark Rory Ciegb: For all our children....let them go home. mat clark Linda Evans: These three kids are no threat to Iran, please release them. Peter Kollros Monika Dutt Emily Hockenberry Melissa Sayer Samuel Vanderpoel: Miss you Shane, thinking of you all and awaiting your release... Lisa Forman Anonymous Anjali Anjali Patel Anonymous: please let these kids come home Laura Caroline Shatz Anonymous Anonymous Nick Huard Melissa St. Germaine-Small lynn geller Anonymous Nora Nelle: Please demonstrate compassion. Scott Anderson Anonymous Minelle Mahtani Melissa Wieland Anonymous Courtney McNamara Hillary Kaell Anonymous: Free the hikers. Anonymous Anonymous: Please bring these three young Americans home in good health as soon as possible. kenny freeman: Do the right thing and demonstrate mercy and forgiveness to the world, please. Val Wiggett Josh Morsell Kim Cavanaugh: What has this world come to? Please show these "kids" some compassion and humanity. Allow them to go home! Robyn Tauss Holly Yee Mary K. Snyder Bruce Vincent: May God watch over them and their familes. Anonymous: Given that one of Josh's cousins is a dear friend, I can appreciate how hard it is for friends and family to endure this seemingly unnecessary detention. Please show compassion and release these three young people!! David Chestler: Please let them come home. cherie chestler Haley Chestler Sydney Chestler Lynn C Wells: Please Amy Cantor Daniel Frankel Anonymous Francine Laura Anonymous Lesley Schwab Donald Freeman Ryan Walton Anonymous marni cordell Adrea Kaplan Anonymous Pamela Kushmerick Neal May Anonymous Alexandra Holmes eleanor f paolino Paul Biancaniello Jennifer Gerrard anonymous Kevin: These people deserve to be released safely to the United States immediately. Stacy Smith Anonymous Kaitlyn Bock Anonymous Ankur Kalra Patricia Eyre: Please do the right and human thing: Let these young people return to their families. Dinah Austin Peter Berry Anonymous Ferris Olin: Innocent hikers should not be pawns in the politics of the globe. Send the 3 hikers home to their families and friends. Anonymous Elisabeth Hagen: Dear Mr. President, These people are harmless. Holding them in prison can only harm your reputation and that of your great country. Please release them. Anonymous Christina Sinding Anonymous: This is a travesty. These young persons should not be used as polical pawns and should be freed immediately. I wish their families peace and their children back in their homes. john dalonzo Elizabeth Landis: I am hopeful that you all will come home very soon. Anonymous Anonymous frank riccio Walt McRee Anonymous Anonymous Brian Schwartz J Hohnstine: All religions teach compassion towards there fellow man. Please show your humanity and release these innocent hikers immediately. Elaine Beca Steve Krug: While I do not condone using these folks as pawns, and ask the Iranians to free them, we in the US need to remind ourselves of our governments sordid history against Iran. Anonymous barbara Brodsky Rothbart Gregory Kambitsch janis Wilkoff Anonymous Anonymous Bonnie Schubert Bonnie Laura Bottaro lori siegal Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Jill Feldman Karen Schwartz Nathan Beth Taubman Anonymous Monica Kubes Anonymous Anonymous Tyler Trippet Ivan Villegas Anonymous Rachel deLuca Mallory Golladay Anonymous: Please let them go. nancy Schaer Anonymous Jack McCormick Hannah Heilicher Jeremy Chestler Hanna Russo Katrina Malachowski Heather Drew Benjamin Burrows Anonymous Frank Russo Ariana Burrows Daniela McDougall D'vorah J Horn-Greenberg: Urging all to Free these innocent, peaceloving individuals, who have no political agenda in their actions. W. Walston Anonymous: Please free these young people. carol soltis Julie McDonald Laurie Gottlieb Linda Ring Melinda Scott Anonymous: Please let these hikers come home. They are innocent, wonderful kids. Their family and friends are beyond worried and panicked from fear for their lives and maybe never seeing them again. Francesco Marmo Andrew Feldgus Dennis Kleinman: I ask that the Iranian Government release these young people whose only crime is seems is to explore the world we all live in. The time has come for Iran to join the world stage and participate as a country with positive and productive ideas. SO much more can be achieved if we all can work together and not against each other. Let all people respect each others beliefs and traditions. Come on Iran - you can do it if you WANT TO! Michelle DelValle Anonymous Tracy Grauel Lisa Campbell William Brisby Al Fricke Nadia Shihab Francine Terri: Prayers go up for these hikers, their families and friends, as well as for those holding them. ANN & NAT GREENFIELD: SHOW THE WORLD THAT YOU CARE ABOUT PEOPLE AND FREE THESE BOYS. Liana Russo Bettsie Greenbaum: Please free these innocent young people. If we are ever going to have peace in the world it has to start by being kind and compassionate. Imagine if it was your son or daughter being detained. How would you feel? Lori Banks Dave Creagh Anonymous Kim Steeno Justin Mccaffrey Marianne Ficarra: Appealing to the Iranian government to please release the three hikers.....please send them home as soon as possible. Marianne & Bob Ficarra Anonymous Tony Podell: Free these kids, they're the future of our world. Wonderful, smart and peace loving. Anonymous Jeri Dunne judy hekel Lea Ray Anonymous ellen Patty Gardner Julie Ratner nancy clifford Anonymous Bettie Laven: The Iranian government could show the world it's heart by returning these kids to their families. Anonymous: Freeing these young people will send a powerful message of understanding. Anonymous Anonymous Muriel Felleman Anonymous Cindy H. Veloric Anonymous: Please provide due process for these innocent individuals. Kim Notin Faith Silverman Kristine Grow Ashley Corallo Anonymous Susan Koslow Robert Lichtman: Please release these innocent young people. Anonymous Naomi Gerbarg Jacob Slutzky: I hope the Iranian government will come to realize that no harm was meant by these exceptional individuals so that they can return to their families and continue their peaceful academic endeavors. Ed Levin: Please show understanding and free these young people. I've known Josh since he was born. He has always worked for peace and thoughtful solutions to problems. Anonymous Illiana Quimbaya Kathryn Ravnik Anonymous Eric Sommers Helen Wong Anonymous Anonymous Joyce & Gordon Kutler Barry Sussmann Anonymous Sam Schiller Ryan Christo Mina Meyer: Free the hikers! Kirby Hill Anonymous Debbie Durham: Please return Shane, Sarah, and Josh to their families. They are compassionate people who bear no ill will towards Iran, and they deserve to come home. Anonymous Steve Rector Rehana Mawani: (age 10yrs): I hope the hikers get freed soon. Donna Winters Kathleen ernst Estela P: Please free the young adults, they have done nothing to be held prisioners ! Please bring them home !!!!!! Arnold Horn kieran mawani: (age 4yrs) Anonymous Daniel Masterson F. J. McCormick Erica Suh Alison Hirsch: What if this were your son or daughter? You would want them to be freed and returned safely to their families. Joe Slowey connie r. berger richard levin Anonymous Anonymous Ellen and Stephen Greenberg Michelle M.: Please release these hikers. They are not a threat to your country. They are living life and enjoying the different cultures around them. They are not a threat! michael shechtman Tina Stein Jerri Blyweiss Anonymous Mickey Black Mary Schnitzer David Slutzky Carson Blanchard Sherry Bendler: I was one of Josh Fattal's teachers when he was in 7th grade and his mother taught at the same school. His family is very close and are wonderful, ordinary people who have always shown a great interest and caring for people of all cultures. I hope the Iranian government can think of these young adults as someone's loved ones who are sorely missed and heartbreakingly worried about. Our cultures need to find a way to see each other as fellow human beings. Anonymous Barry Levin Anonymous mary e. levin: Please free these innocent young people. Ben Nathan Paul Busman Anonymous George Stern Frances Stern Diana Pisarcik Judith Schiller: We appeal to human compassion to please release Shane, Sarah and Josh. Howard and Oshria Levin: We hope the U.S. government will get involved and help to free these young people detained in Iran. The media all over the U.S should tell about this awful situation. They must be freed as soon as possible. We are entited to justice! Susan Levin CJ Gustafson Lorraine Linder Helena Turner Debra Wolfe Andrea Welles Walter Salm Anonymous Chuck Weiss: Please show the love, kindness, and compassion to these kids that you would want showed to yours. Steve Bornstein Jennifer Bauer Triston Trujillo Charlene Phung Anna Perin: I'm praying for their quick release. D.B.M Anonymous Hermine Rosset Rhonda Feder Ursula Erler Julia Levin-Rector Tom Dilatush Mordechai Liebling Catalina Jordana Jason Mayr Anonymous Elinor (Ellie) Mero Anonymous Meg Sheketoff Anonymous Anonymous Sergey Erofeev: People in Russia support the hikers and regret that the Russian media do not cover this story enough Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Chris Meaney Flora Mendoza Paula Barvin Anonymous Raquel and Allen Cohen Bob Morris Kimberly Gray Stephen Weinstein Breanna Pettinati: These are just children! They should not be held captive! Send these kids home to their families! I will keep you all in my prayers! Anonymous Elinor Dilatush Jerry Gordon Anonymous Laura Kilroy: I'm pulling for Shane, Sarah and Josh. luci ryan Laurie Steinberg Selman I. Welt Anonymous Rachel Rozenfarb Anonymous Anonymous Affan Chowdhry Gail WItschey Arnold Kazemier: Everything is said in the petition. Thomas and Randi Alba joan w scott John Cormier Patricia Gump Anonymous Arleen Weinstein: The release of Josh, Sarah and Shane will send 3 worthy young people back to their families and allow them to continue their peaceful good work. Jamie Beran Anonymous Patrice Leichter Brian Blanchett Ali Sherrod Rob Weisberg Karen Romine Kathlen Lefebvre Jill Metzger Anonymous Anonymous Beverly Fisher Anna Gerrity Lisa Ling: Please show some humanity and release these innocent people. Anonymous: I continue to keep them and their families inmy prayers! Anonymous Linda Stehno Anonymous Erica Hersh Dave Whorton Sarah Keyes Jeremy Goode Anonymous: It's time to let them go!!!!! B Brander Anonymous Anonymous Tressa Bruess Forrest Lily: Let my people go. RenÃ©e Raley Anonymous laura barbara: Please help these kids get home. Trina Diep Erica Marcela Abby Mays Joe Mohen: I respectfully ask that Bauer, Shourd, and Fattal be released as soon as possible. I would look very favorably on any action by the Iranian authorities to release them. Anonymous Victoria Viletto Diana SageSpiritWolf Shattuck: To be imprisoned for this reason is extremely ridiculous to me. This is nothing more than a childish attitude in power vying for attention from the world & using innocent people for their own selfish desires. Attitudes like this is why their is so much conflict in our world. Sean Woodland Jane Hamilton Jenny Kubo Seville Anastos Adam Carlton Samara O'Shea Anonymous Sally Baldwin Susan Ried Anonymous Jennifer Mayorga Jan-Paul Alon Yvonne Moser Samantha Johnson Sonya G. Sarmiento: pls come home soon Shane, Sarah, and Josh! Anonymous Anonymous: These are not warriors. Please wage understanding with them. Kay Reinhart Becky Hardy Anonymous Anonymous: Please release these hikers! NHU-UYEN KHUONG Vanessa Dowling: Sal?m Tony Gonzalez Dave: Enough's enough guys! Do we really have to resort to hurting civilians? That's why you have your little armies and tanks to play with. Give it up! Tieng Tan Anonymous Anonymous: Free the hikers! Wendy Guiles-Trombetta Megan Fischer Peggy Larvey: Stay strong Shane, Sarah and Josh. We are all looking forward to you being returned to your families. Kasey Jurgensen: This would be a BAD thing if they don't let them go. Anonymous Julie A Minardi Diane Leung Paul Felicia Johnson Anonymous Brenna Hamilto0n Esther J. Chang Kathy Zembera Monica Francis Anonymous Max Appelbaum Matthew Rausch Anna Amy Rudolph: Please, please do the right thing and let them come home... Anonymous: I hope these citizens of the world will be released. Anonymous Lonnie Golden Aaron Allermann Anna Chiasson: So unfair!!!!! Sunny Walker Angela Erickson: These are people, not pawns for political retribution. PEGGY JOHNSON Holly Keller-Miller Anonymous Linsey Tricia Pautsch Anonymous Anonymous Cecilia Lei Rebecca Wu Ann Walker: Let the hikers come home. Carmen Matthews: We are appealing to your sense of humanity, knowing that their mistake was just that - a mistake, and that they and their families deserve peace of mind, with them at home. Anonymous Elizabeth Short: We are all a part of humankind. We all have hopes, dreams, wishes, fears. When will people realize this, and do unto others? Michele Rubino Katherine Coleman Anonymous Anonymous Sarah Hill Michael Knauff Harold Olsen: This another chance for the Republic of Iran to demonstrate its desire to live in peace with the rest of civilization. What threat could these innocent students pose? Elle Skinner Joanne Kloos Errin Cecil-Smith: To honor the kind and peaceable nature of the Iranian people, the government there should release our hikers immediately. Please send them back to their families who love and miss them. Anonymous RenÃ©e Olson: I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for you to demonstrate the goodness and compassion found in all living beings and am most hopeful you will allow these people, who have caused no harm to anyone, to return home to their loved ones. Thank you. mary flinn Rose Ficke: As an avid hiker myself I really feel for these hikers. Praying that the government of Iran exercises compassion if not common sense and releases them soon. Anonymous Sandy Johnson Mary C. Schell Kit White: Please free these innocent kids. Lilly Kha Jennifer Neal Anonymous Marie G Sarah Flicker Mark Grimes Mary Kay Hamburger Wendy Tooker Barbara Mason Van: Please release these young people so that they may return to their families. They unknowingly and mistakenly crossed an unmarked border. The Iranian government doesn't need to use them as political fodder and the US needs to continue to actively work for these citizens until they are released. Mary Roger Anonymous TaraMarie Tocci Amelia Munro Anonymous Bonnie C Flesher Victoria Harris: Please release these prisoners. It is wrong to hold innocent travelers as political hostages in opposition to circumstances over which they have no control. Seek peace and honor the good in humanity. Tina Potter Anonymous Jodi Dietrick Sharon McLain Dan Pixley: Come on Iran, do the right thing. Kathy K: Highest Good for all Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: They're not spies; they're just naÃ¯ve tourists; please let them go. Karen Kodama Lance Sussman R. Dandridge Krystal Guerra Lorenzo Lucia Charlene Sancnez Anonymous Harsha Setty Zeynep Oguz Jose Falconi Brenda Zamora Caryl & Richard Stone kiran nigam Courtney Rohan Ian Eirdosh Daniel Harris: Good luck to friends and family of the detainees. MARLENE GOLDERER Anonymous Corie Savary Marie Coyne Ben Berliner Dylan Lee natasha bishop Robert Wisniewski jeanette granados: Send them HOME!! Robert Granados: Thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. Mandi Rosen Larry Shipper Anonymous: Josh Fattal was an instructor of mine at the Aprovecho Research Center in Oregon. I always respected Josh for his calm nature and interest in living by a strong set of ethics. Anonymous Deijri Galjour Debra Santamaria James A. Bruni Anonymous T Cross Anonymous: Let them come home! sedra: Peaceful talks between the Iranian and American governments could be the begining of 'a light at the end of the tunnel.' I will be grateful to Iran for the release of JOSH, SARAH, SHANE. Thank you in advance. todd hill Fuphan Chou Anonymous: Please free the hikers. amie abeloff frankel Elizabeth Burnett Toby Grubman: With Hope and Prayers that Sarah, Shane and Josh will be home soon. Anonymous: My thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Jaclyn Rosenberg Bryan Alton Parker: It's the right thing to do. Please do the right thing. Jeff Silva Melanie Rose Prince Kerrin Mitchell: Please bring them home. Now. Yonnas T. Getahun Anonymous Grid Lin Ariel Glenn Erica Hill Nathalie Molina Aaron Shuman: Shane wrote a great article on death squads in The Nation a few months ago, and built a great portfolio working as a journalist at UC Berkeley. Best wishes to the three... Justin Lebanowski Anonymous Anonymous Sharon Abramowitz Mandy Messinger Joni Rillera Elsa Cheung Anonymous graham gardner Judith & Carl Chestler Tamara Murray Charles LeBar Vijay Harrell Mark Mueller Tom Kramer Donna Thompson Keisa Campbell Eva Shannon Glen Karen Blevins Donald Thomson Barbara Black: I pray that these young people will be returned to their families as swiftly as possible. Anonymous Anonymous Jonathan Mooring Denelle Numis Shana Clauson ?????????? ????? Anonymous Elizabeth Shackelford Don Bouldin: Please release Shane,Sarah and Josh as soon as possible. Anonymous Anonymous Emily Norton: This is ridiculous. These hikers mean no harm and want to be back with their families!!!! Melanie R. Olson: Your life, my life; every life is so brief. At the end of each of our lives, all that will have mattered will be the kindness with which we treated others. Real leaders guide with compassion and wisdom rather than react with prejudice and pride. Show decisive leadership; send these people home. Carol Smorch: Sending light and positive energy to Sarah, Josh and Shane, as well as their families and support group. Anonymous Stephen Tillisch Anonymous Tracy Hall Deb Juetten Jennifer Hall Cheryll Marsh Anonymous Victoria Bond Michelle Miller Janis Flynn-Smith Ted Hexter Janet W McNally Anonymous Anonymous Sean Donovan Matthew Tozer Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Let them go home! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Please let the hikers come home. We want them home with their families. They are not spies...just apparently got a little off course. Thanks. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Bill Jackson: Please do the right thing. You gain nothing by holding these innocent people in your custody. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Stephen Hwang Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Come home safe! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous John Hulsey Anonymous Jenny Lundgren Tino Julian: These individuals were obviously off-course and (even more obviously) of no particular threat to your country or your citizens. Please free them now. Here is your chance to show the world that yours is a country of rational laws. JOHN MAZUR Anonymous Anonymous Anna Black Anonymous jenella Loye Phyllis Fischer Sarah Leonard Eric Morin Jan Poole Jo Schwietz Rebecca Vilkomerson Annabel Cope Anonymous: Please respect the right of these people to walk on God's earth. Release them from prison that they may continue their pilgrimage across it. Jason Arnold aaron diek robert valdes juliette flores Anonymous Sumayal Anonymous Mark Contarino Barbara Friedrich Lauren Herman Shannon Marrero jason martin Meghna Philip Laurie Shutrop Sam Appelbaum Gerald Baxter: Please release the hikers! Joseph Hodge Anonymous Dan Streja: I hope this petition will entice the US government to strongly push for an early release and that it will be successful. Gina Pizzo Anonymous Andrea Dessler: Please send these young people home..... jaffanie trinidad Lenore Davies Marla Bowan Susan Leff Daniel K Mahoney Susan Frances Jones Deana Hernandez Anonymous ron steptoe Lennart Mogren marta Anonymous Anonymous Chad: They're just vacationers...let them go now!!! Barbara Petersen kelly diglis Lauren Miller Anonymous Anonymous: It is first and foremost the intention to break a law that gets sanctioned in democratic societies. If these people had no such intention, there is no reason why they should still be kept prisoners. Diana & Jim Jessie: Josh, We look for a release. This should have never happened. Anonymous: Blessings to all involved! Jenny Coleman Mira Silverman Richard Narum: Peace. Compassion. Understanding. Return our friends to their families. Thank you for understanding. Anonymous Anonymous Alan B.Benjamin: They should be freed. They meant no harm. Sheryl Dufficy Erin Thayer Dickson Anonymous Anonymous Michelle Malley Allison White Anonymous Anshini Shah Anonymous Katherine Heygate Anonymous David Robertson Colleen Amanda Moncelle Anonymous: Release our Americans!!! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Lia Harrell tori Jennifer Vanderminden Anonymous KEVIN CIPA: GOD SPEED HOME Wendy Hartson: I hope to here that they are back home and safe soon. Anonymous Patsy Spear: Please free the hikers so they can be reunited with their families. I wish the mothers the best in their quest to get their children home. May God bless each of you and your children. Crystal Cochrane: Let's get these kids home! Sherry L. Mason: May these three young people be allowed to once again roam freely and share their lives with friends, family, each other and the people of the world how could they know that they were crossing a border if it was not marked? God Bless Them. Anonymous Erica Cornelius: Free them please. SUSAN MARDEN: LOVE AND GOD BE WITH YOU Sue Keller: How sad! My heart crys out in pain for these 3 hikers & their family! I hope the will be able to speak with & return to their families soon! Jacqueline Victor: I hope this helps ! Pat Perkins: Those three are innocent and do not deserve this, they need to be freed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anonymous: I hope that these three young people will be released and reunited with their families and friends immediately. Brett Stenger: I sign this petition with sympathy in my heart, as I have a child of my own. I hope and pray that the Iranian authorities will have the same sympathy. Anonymous Chris McCree Bob Marlene Peterson: Saw the mother's this morning on the Early Show(10/15) send them home to their families soon. Tiffany davis MollyAnne Davis Anonymous chris beal Cheri Palmer: I'm sure the Iranian government will use this incident to show that they can be merciful and compassionate, knowing that Josh, Sarah and Shane meant absolutely no harm. Robin Davis Anonymous: This is a very unfortunate! I pray that Iran will set them free!!!!!!!! Anonymous Hillary J. Haynie: I just wish I could do more. Jeff Walker: To the Republic Of Iran: We're sorry that our friends have crossed over a boarder into the respectful Republic Of Iran. Our friends mean you no harm as we're sure you're aware. Please know that our friends are people of peace and not of politics. Please sit with our friends and you'll see that they'll become a friend of yours too. We respectfully thank you Iran for the good care of our friends and thank you for the swiss visit. This however has been really hard on our friends families and we ask for their safe return home as soon as possible. Thank You. Barbara Dunn-Alfinito: These kids are not a threat, free them! Debbie Mitchell: Please, free these young people so they can go on with their lives & maybe they can put their experience to work to better the world. May God bless them & their families. Kenzie Cody James A. Yates: A little compassion is in order for Christs sake! Let them go home now! Susan J Hawks: Praying for their release to come home, for their safety & health. Praying for their families & friends. Jesse Carawan: These people made a simple mistake and have done nothing against the Iranian people so release them immediately. Anonymous Kristen Dawson: LETS BRING THEM HOME!!! Jessica Dorien Ebert Debbrah Tubbs: I pray for their safe return and you are all in my thoughts and prayers daily. Anonymous ShawnMarceau: Set them free or send in the Marines Merrill Simpson Judy Carlson JULIE HANSEN KABIRI: IRANIAN GOVERNMENT: PLEASE SHOW HOW COMPASSIONATE YOU ARE AND SEND THEM BACK HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. Eileen Brumfield: The American government needs to demand the release of these 3 hikers IMMEDIATELY!!! Iran is not a country that we should tolerate this type of behavior. How would Iran react if we took 3 of their children that we allow to live and worship freely in the US hostage? They would have already had their suicide bombers route. Doesn't our government remember the hostage situation in 1979. Let's not have a repeat America! SET THE HIKERS FREE!!!!!!! Karen E: Please free the hikers! They meant no harm and their respect of other cultures is obvious. Please have compassion and return them home. Dianna L. Kilbourn Stevi Iversen: Free the hikers! This is CRAZY! Erin White Anonymous Jordan Hastings: Let them come home!!! Leann Wymer: Hope they all return home safe. I will say a prayer for them and the familes. Kris Marko Anonymous Juliana Anonymous Pamela Cristiano: Praying for the hikers and their families that they will soon be together again. lea smith: I will pray for their safety and quick release! Anonymous Silvia: You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers...always:) Judy Ron Nate Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS!!! Francine M Dennis April Kamen C Million: Please let these Men & Women go. They did no wrong. These yonug people have families that love them & need them. TERESA: PRAYERS AND CARES FROM TERESA Anonymous Ivona Sheryl Goodwin: I realize there are political differances between our Countries but please do not use 3 young people on a hike to make a political statement. Liz O'Connell Thomas White Anonymous: My prayers are with you all. julie jamieson: I am praying that they will be released immediately, they have done nothing wrong,please let them come home. Anonymous Juan M. Fortenberry: Show the compassion and understanding we all know you possess as human beings. Kelli Stowe Todd Coffee Kasey Jenkins: Saw the mothers this morning on tv. my heart goes out to you and your families. You and your children are in my prayers. Len Ricci: Thanks to the Iranian government for releasing Sarah, Shane and Josh. Anonymous: i Hope that they will be freed ASAP and COME HOME health fast. Toby Rehbach: I pray that the Iranian government will show mercy & reason in the situation with these innocent college students. Anonymous: The Islamic Republic government should shame. Ina Kay Devers Anonymous Anonymous Katherine Johnson: Please let these hikers free to come home to their families. They would not have knowingly put themselves in a position for this to happen, which means it was just a matter of them not being aware of exactly where they were in relation to the border. I think this event, along with the recent event with Laura Ling, that people will think a lot longer and harder before venturing into areas that have even the slightest chance of something like this happening. I pray God will help to secure the safe return of these hikers to their loved ones. Sincerely, Katherine Johnson Barbara Smucker: To the mothers of the kids, my daughter is currentlty in France teaching English to French kids. And when I heard your story it sounds like something that could easily happen to her. She is a very adventurous persons, and enjoys other cultures and meeting people. She also loves to hike and has gotten lost in the mountains of France and also while she was in Australia. I really feel for you three mothers and hope and pray for the release of your children. Kim Ora-a Anonymous Anonymous Stan Dropkin: Josh Fattal has the example of two generations, his parents and grandparents, to guide him in his development as a person who serves humanity. He needs the freedom to develop the skills he has already acquired. Let Josh, Sarah and Shane go in peace. Anonymous LEYDI GOODWIN: Unfair Lee Baron Lesley Dombrow Suzanne Teply: My prayers to the families for a safe return and for the Iranian government to do the right thing - these are 3 innocent, good people with no political agenda. Anonymous Allan Domb Theresa Abraham Anonymous: Wishing them all the best and hoping for a release soon. They are just children! janine boguslawski: I hope the Iranian Government will see this as a mistake and set them free! Jacob Staffa Rebecca Keller Zach Johnson Carey O'Connell: My strongest wishes that the judiciary overseeing this case in Iran will make a swift decision to send these three hikers home. I only know of these three and their story from the news and this website and was so touched that I pray by signing this I can in someway help them come home. I will keep them in my heart and send all the energy I can to them for inner-strength and peaceful minds until they are delivered back into the arms of their loved ones. Kelly Kuntz julie bergman Erik and Terry Bjornstedt: These faces are those of seekers. Not destroyers. Please show mercy and compassion to these travelers. Peace to you all. LaVerne Davis: Please let them return home to their family and friends Anonymous Mary Elizabeth Davis: Thinking about you i will keep you in my Prayers Anonymous Daniel Gibbon Robert Bender Beryl Jupiter courtney Ellen O'Neill Anonymous EDWARD CUBERO Anonymous Alexander Hendin Drew Freeman Randal Robb: Iran is acting inhumanely; these people should bee set free immediately. Rindy MacDonald Doug Johnson Melisa Spaeth Anonymous Marco Lacaria: Bring Peace Please... kim gargaro Jennifer O'Connell Arthur frankel anita baeza Lori Wesmiller: I am praying for the safe return of these three youths. Please let them come home. Jessica Cristiano: my prayers are with you & your families <3 JUDY JEFFERY: Please let these young people be releasedto their families,My prayers are with them and their families. Anonymous: Prayers for you all. Anonymous Adam Hernandez: These 3 young courageous people from the USA just wanted to explore the beautiful countries of our world and intreract with the beautiful cultures and people of your continent. They are not a threat to anyone. Please release them to thier families and do not use them as pawns in the corrupt political games of this world. anonymous Anonymous Ashley Etchebarren Anonymous Chelsea Etchebarren Stan McCormick: God bless the families of these folks! Anonymous Saira Peesker Amber Roisen Bernard Dishler Melissa Valenti Anonymous: These three people should be freed immediately already if not sooner. We keep you in our prayers, Sarah, Shane and Josh. We look forward to seeing you very, very soon. diane daves Lois Agee Anonymous Alicia Fowler love: there is one way only... the time is to let these people go. the world will not tolorate your actions. dont think we as a people IRAN USA cannot figure out problems. IRAN an its Leaders need to take action NOW. GOD bless.......wishes to fam and friends. Jason Rokos Anonymous Sara Earhart Pamela Green: Please allow these young people to return home unharmed. They are no threat to Iran and are just young people exploring their world. Weren't we all there once? Andy Uhr Amir: its illegal to enter a country and that is why they are detained... Amanda Green Anonymous Paul Kewitsch: Hoping for the prompt release of these three peaceful, loving people. terry l west Jeff Nash Chenoa Skeete: Please show compassion and allow Shane, Sarah, and Josh to return to their families and friends. Anonymous Sally Kim Jenie Chau: Please free them! Stefanie Lau Sarah Amacher Brendan McShane Creamer: The elections are over and the power remained in office. In good faith Iran need to release Sarah, Josh and Shane. They should be granted amnesty. Peace, B Anonymous: Please release these 3 people in honor of Allah! Julie Farrell: We all make mistakes, they must be released!!! Anonymous: Let's hope the Iranian government does the right thing and release these three people. Jennifer White Matthews: Please allow them to come home. They are peaceful people. Anonymous: I'm iranian and i'm so sorry for this.i and all iranian families hope they come back soon sara .z Nada Ali .Q sultan: I'm from kuwait i have watched CBS show this morning.I'm sorry for what happened to your sons I know how hard when you missing love one, I will pray for their save return may God bless them. xerxes yat-sen nepomuceno Henry Skier Dara Fernandez: My thoughts and prayers are with the hikers and their families for a safe and speedy return. BW Carmela Barbagallo Deb Heater Patrick Tessier: Oh i hope and pray that all of you are safe in Jesus' arms, may He take u in and take care of you and watch over you as you are in these times of hardship and trial, i pray that He is with you guys at all times and all of those that know and love you, that everyone and everybody in this situation would have the all knowing and all surpassing love of Christ in this situation and the amazing comfort of the Lord in this time. In Jesus' name.Amen Ahmed Karam: Free The Hikers .. Ahmed Karam From Morocco Trevor Feldman Anonymous: Dear Mothers, I am really sorry to hear what happened to your beloved ones. I am really sorry for what happened to your kids. I am really sorry for what the people in the head of my country has been done to your kids. All of us Iranians are sorry about what had happened to your kids and our country. So, I sign the petition, understanding all the burden you have, like so many of Iranian mothers who also lost their children. Yours, have the chance to be supported by a foreign power. Ours, had not the chance, so they tortured, raped, or died. I hope to see you and your kids together again in happiness and peace. I'll pray for you. You pray for us too. Best Wishes, Ali Helene Rubin Lior Kleinman Anonymous Anonymous Harry Hochheiser Ariella Zemach-Bersin Florence Tan: Free the hikers. They are innocent. Renee DiDonato Michael Zender Alison Ferrante Bob Ehle Carla Nix Anonymous Arthur Karafin Anonymous: Please free that man. Anonymous: Holding Shane, Sarah & Josh in the Light. Kyf Brewer Anonymous Andrew Blanda GEORGE B. Anonymous: I could not say anything that would not offend Iran in one way or another! stacy villacres Gary Lozoff Laura Durington: We implore the Iranian government to release these three hikers. Ehrenberg Julian Anonymous Anonymous: Please do the right thing and free the hikers. Anonymous Jeanette Kurtz Anonymous cindy postel: Resolve this issue Amanda Del Sesto Gudrun Dennis Courtney Watson: God Speed. Allen Haveson Godley Mary Ellen Yannitelli Maureen Young: Our prayers are with you and your families Janet Pruden Barnes Janelle McGinley: Please free the hikers. They deserve to be home with their family, where they belong! Felicia Rosen Loreen Soto I.W.Lejman Sondra Glynn Rusty Miller Lesly Lantry Anonymous: Please have compassion for mentioned hikers who crossed border by mistake without any intent to do harm to anybody. Please release them as soon as possible Evangelia Manthoyianni Kristen Schmidt: They should have NEVER been arrested in the first place, it was an honest mistake! Jason Alcorn: Whats the president doing to help? why is this not all over the news? Philip Blue: I hope all goes well! Richard C Klueg Darshall Anonymous Matthew Durington: My thoughts are with every family touched by this. I pray for their safe return and the government of Iran will demonstrate compassion and release them soon. TRACY ROSITANO: Trust and hope that there are individuals with kind hearts in this part of the world, as in any other, who will help these young people to return home to their families. Mohammed Alshagawi Anonymous Charlie Hopkins rio James R L Small Shari Breen Gina Jacobson Anonymous: prayers are with you, sure the jails there, as it is, are not like good ole' U.S. of A.'s Lluana Jones: My Love to the Fattals and the other families. Anonymous: I'm praying for your kids safe return Anonymous: As a Lebanese citizen, raised as a Shiâ€™a Muslim I have this to say: "O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous." (Quran, 49:13) â€œBut if someone is steadfast and forgives, that is the most resolute course to follow.â€ [Qurâ€™an, 42:43] They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.â€ [Qurâ€™an, 24:22] â€œThe repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with Allahâ€¦â€ [Qurâ€™an, 42:40] Yes they entered Iran illegally, but show compassion and allow them to return home to their mothers. Leslie Marie Cannon: PLEASE FREE THESE HIKERS!!!!!!!!! Anonymous: Peace. Anonymous Perry Watts Skye Stoulig Michelle Gallo Brittany Brydahl: Let them go! This is terrible!! Kelly McCawley Pat Weigel Christopher Scott Chesnutt: Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh. B.G. Smith: I hope to see the day that these three people can return home to hug their mothers. Good wishes to all involved. John Robinson: No rational people would continue to hold unarmed persons who clearly just accidentally crossed into the country. Does this represent the lack of common decency of Iranian people? Hopefully not. Diane Ronsicki: Please let these innocent hikers return home. I'm sure they entered Iran accidentally and never meant to break any laws or cause any harm. Please let them come home to their loved ones. Anonymous April Yang Irwin Matusow Nan Anonymous Mandy Kilpatrick: FREE THE HIKERS!! it is time for iran to do the right thing!!! Mehrdad: There is no reason to keep them for such a long time. They should be released ASAP. Leann Huddleston gina sisk Mansoor Ahmed: I can understand the feelings of the respective family, and very much hopefully that Iran will free both of them. Laurie Albaitis Ibrahim Iyan: Free the hikers! They're good people and they made a mistake. Do the right thing! Its a disgraceful thing for a Muslim country to do. - from Maldives - Anonymous: Save the hikers! Bob Stump Steven Lubin: The ancient civilization that your people proudly point to does not fit with your current actions. The world community would be a better place with Iran as a good neighbor. Anonymous: God bless these young adults and their families during this rough time. Victor Hennen: Hope that you come home soon! Alise Iain Clayton Larry Cutler: This was an honest mistake and should not be used for political purposes. Anonymous Jody Cohen Anonymous ferzan Anonymous Meryl Freedman alan waibel chrissy wallin Anne McGinnis Zachary Smith Jack Myers: Please release these three innocent people. Rachel Wells Bennie Balandran: Thinking about these hikers. Release these innocent people. shawn israels: I would like to start a petition in south africa. Eliyyahu Enriquez Andrew Wertheim Amy Hoffman: We humbly ask that you will return our people to their loved ones and let them come home... Jesse Sparhawk Barbara Konkle John Conant Jr Susan Paul janet johnson Tammi Granville Ian MacDonald: Please do the enlightened and compassionate thing and send them home. MS. MORGAN TAYLOR: MY SINCERE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS HAVE BEEN WITH THESE 3 YOUNG AMERICAN'S AND AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE FOR THEIR RELEASE BACK TO THEIR LOVING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. Patrick L Lilly andrea busker Brian Ewing: Please free these people. It's not making the Americans like Iran any better. It does nothing for your cause. Do the right thing and set them free. Dawn Bolin Anonymous Jarrod Byrd Beth Durham: My prayers are with you! ANDREA MOSS Meital Stotland: Hello, I am a friend of Josh, from college. I miss him very much, and think about him every day. Can't wait until he comes home. He is a bringer of peace, which he is probably doing for some people where he is, and now it's time for him to come home to his friends and family. Thank you for sending him and his friends home to the United States. Selina Baker Bob Lewis Barbara lewis Anonymous R. Hodge giulietta luul balestra Daniel Grodnitzky Anonymous Seph Harris Anonymous Erika Meyer Sarah DeMarco: They should have been freed a long time ago. Where are the big name politicians? Why are they not rallying non-stop in support of these 3 young people? How horrible to be in prison for crossing an unmarked border by mistake! Vanessa Miller Vincent T.: It is time to let these folks go Mr. Ahmadinejad.. This doesn't help your cause, and is hurting your standing in the international community even further. R.G.Wong Thorn Jarvis Sarah DeMarco: They should have been freed a long time ago. Where are the big name politicians? Why are they not rallying non-stop in support of these 3 young people? How horrible to be in prison for crossing an unmarked border by mistake! Anonymous Terri Neher: Praying for the quick release of these 3 young people. Stuart Appel Anonymous: I work @ CHS and Josh was a role model here! Please free these hikers! They need to get home to their families... Jen Pyle: I hold this close to my heart, and pray for their safe release. We will see them soon! Anonymous Maureen Sullivan Stemberg: Please, free the young American's. Please, return them to their families and loved ones. Dan Anderson Suneela Mubayi Scott Perlow Jane Fallander: We respectfully request that these three young adults be allowed to come home to their families. Elisa Jaeger Dana Shutrop anonymous Janina Botchis Erika May Laurie Keelan: Free those children! They did nothing wrong except be innocent hikers. I hiked last year in Switzerland...thank God I was not put in danger by accident... Debbie Sobczak Bill Stone Anonymous Sarolta Cump Ryan Johnson Jeremy Jensen: Please Release the three hikers BONNIE KANEFSKY Richard Lane nancy salemno Mohammad Al Natour: I hope they are free again and return to theyre families and homes HOWARD LIPSON Anonymous Ashton Applewhite: These three Americans should be freed from prison in order to continue their studies of the Arab world and advance our understanding of it. lisa mcgee Anonymous Jen and Joe: Please free the hikers... their familes miss them. Anonymous: I hope they will be freed. C'hloe Wesley Gretchen Kewitsch Gretchen Kewitsch John Reenan Michael Rodenak Matthew Griffith Anonymous Joshua Beckner: peace unto you, brothers and sister! Anonymous: It looks obvious these 3 had no ill intentions. I hope the Iranian govt. will also have no ill intentions. Ann Price: Peace Anonymous: Please consider the release of these peaceful persons to their Country and family. Andrew Colclasure Heather Domenico Anonymous Jordan Czajka Anonymous Sitheris Chebithes Anonymous: I hope that the US government acts responsibly as our citizens' advocate and presses for the hikers's release. Anonymous: please release these hikers...they made a simple mistake... George James: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh. We're all hoping for a swift resolution to this. Anonymous Brian: Please do the right thing D Hatfield Sandy Anonymous Anonymous Craig Burger Jen Witt: "Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." ~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. My continued hope and prayers for their speedy and safe release. Corrine McDonald Noreen Haines: COEXIST Julie A. Ward Kevin Whitley: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Charles Stephens Kat Russo: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh. megan matozzo Zach Cashero Jesse Jankowski: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Rebecca Brofft: I offer my sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh Angie Williams Charito Gailling Shannon Broderick Andrew Ford Mateo de Valenzuela Allison Burmeister Robert Schmitt Cece Wildeman arl Zimet Morgan Derr Lance Alton Troxel sherry n.: Please don't punish three innocent young adults. Set them free and put Iran in a good, peaceful light. diane zimmer: please free Josh and Laurie Berenson Jesse Benn Hannah Stutzman Michael Callahan Erik Wolf Raab: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sinceresupport and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh." Anonymous: FREEDOM!!! Jeremy Bauer Katie Glosson: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh Irene Chhor: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh. My prayers are with you, families, friends, well wishers. God bless Irlanda Arellano: signed on Tuesday, October 30,2009. My prayers go out to Josh,Sarah and Shane. May the Lord be watching over them. Douglas Levine: Wishing a safe arrival without further delay Teresa Capistrant Jessica Murski: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh Jeffrey Cohan madison: These people deserve to be let free Jess Lerner Katharine Wallerstein Laurie Birch: God bless!!!! Steven birch: May God be with your children and keep them safe! Erica Hansen: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers! Steven birch: May God be with your children and keep them safe!and may the Iran Government understand this could become a ball game of sorts! The ball is their court for now. Jenny Leis Murray R. Miller jack danneberg Anonymous Anonymous jeremy ogusky Paul: In the name of the Golden Rule, please release them. Debbie Ellerkamp Laura Bernhardt Priscilla Freeman Larson: Please pray for the release of these heroic young people. Lisa Marie: My heart breaks for these 3 unfortunate hikers and their families, may peace be with you. Anonymous: "The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh." Dionna Hulslander Mary Lee Robinson caroline robbins Anonymous Shawn Thompson: Offering my support and best wishes in a fast and safe return. Damon D. Edwards Alan Gomez: Release our fellow hikers, Merciful actions can only bring peace to your hearts. Christa Rodriguez brenna powell Evan Blumberg Kate Marina Agee Jay Luikart Carey Lamprecht: Please release them and allow them to come home to their loved ones soon. alia weiner: please get them home now!!!!!!!!!!!! Diane Bateson Anonymous Sigal Jenny Goff Julie van Niekerk: Why keep peaceful people in prison? Iris Parker Kevin Dunn Ben Pierce buddy tica Leonard Perry Matt Minich: Let them come home! Nion McEvoy Trevor Koop Beth Busch: Hopefully home soon. Paul Steinfield Randi Navarrete Joshua Drake Rita Rosen Poley: We are all praying for their speedy release in good health Tamara Tweel Marian Cohen: Please let these young people return to their families. They meant no harm or disrespect to your country. Thank you. Rachel LaBarbera Erin Gaines Anonymous CHERYL UELMEN: MY PRAYERS GO TO YOUR SAFE RETURN HOME SOON. Angela Jones: Please bring these kids home! It serves absolutely no purpose to have them detained any further!!! Anonymous: It is past time to FREE these innocent Americans. James F Kaeberle Anonymous Jason Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Roni Alicia Rita Moore: Please do something to release the kids. They haven't done anything to deserve this! John Pringle Nancy Goens Anonymous ginger giefer: These are nice, innocent people who should be freed immediately!! Eric Lee Eddie Phipps Anonymous: Release them! Michelle Cohen Kerri Jean Ormerod charles ries: let them go now! Sara Risley Anonymous Steffany Smith: God Speed Patty joseph civita Steve Atkins: Allan we are praying for your son and his freinds safe return Beth L Rose Goff Tia Rhoads: Please set these innocent Hikers Free. they made a stupid mistake they crossed into the wrong territory. I believe they meant no harm, send them home to their families. Lorie Stair Mary F.Gallagher D. Pratt: By now they know these kids are not terrorist or spies. Please let them go so they may return to the arms of their families and friends. Anonymous: Please FREE THE HIKERS! Especially Sarah! ;-) Meredith Rouse Mike: Thoughts and prayers are with the hikers and their familys DENNIS BARR: These three innocent Americans were out sightseeing and accidentally crossed an invisible line that had they known was there,and Im sure without even knowing these people they would have turn back and went on with their vacation in Iraq.I feel their detention is more a KIDNAPPING than a security measure and their release is long overdue.Give these families their children back as you would wish for your own childs safe and just return. Anonymous Daniel M Rosenthal Tiffany Mathews: I understand Iran like all countries must protect there borders. I am confident the Iran judicial system will complete there investigation soon and conclude Shane, Sarah and Josh are not a threat. It is a navigational error and will be released without charges. Larry Allison John Chumbley The Awkward's: Please free the hikers so they can go home to their families before the holiday's. Put yourself in their place you would want your family back too, so have a heart and let them go. Jeff York: The Leaders of Iran could earn some well needed points for releasing what amounts to be a few people who simply lost their way. Why would a powerful country such as Iran need to prove that it can hold 3 people hostage for something that any country in the world could do. This is not an accomplishment it is only an embarrassment to Iran. Please release these harmless hikers and let's move on to resolving other more important issues. The Leadership of Iran is just playing with small potatoes and no one is really impressed. So why not let them go and prove that you are a mature nation that is truly intelligent and wise. Thank you! Let's move on to issues of World Peace and Cooperation. Jeff York-Chicago April Schlenk Anonymous: Praying for their safe return ASAP Tom Flowers: "God is merciful." Prove it, Iran! Please return our friends safely and unharmed. Thank you. Robin: When you Iranians come in to our country we do not hold you in detainment for visiting, why these three people who are no threat to you or anyone. Please show some compassion and let them come home. My thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah and Josh Douglas McDowell Albert DeNovellis: This is an obvious act of aggression and defiance by Iran's suspect leadership. Why is this not STILL on the nightly news? Anonymous Rich Surhoff Susan C. Fish: Set these people free and allow them to continue their peaceful, pleasant, happy journey. Faith, Hope and Love. Celine Johnson Mike Dellapenna Anonymous maureen schneider: Unbelievable... I am sorry for your pain. Anonymous: Rather than arresting these poor innocent people, couldn't the government of Iran find it in their hearts to turn them back toward their path and guide them back to where they meant to be going? May God bring these children back home to their friends and family safely. J Quealy Julia Hitchingham David Boone N payne ARTURO ALEXIS VILLALOBOS: THEY WILL RETURN , Sylvia Mashaw: Keep the Faith. God will bring his Earth Angels home. Thats what our children are; Earth Angels doing God work here on Earth. Remember to Keep the Faith and Pray. DON BECK Carol Cummings Lori R. Taylor: Please release them. I am confident that they are innocent of any type of spying activity, but unintentionally crossed the border between Iran and Iraq while hiking. Krystal Welstead: I am signing this petition as a gesture of compassion for these hikers. I am truely sorry for this horrible ordeal that you are currently going through. Kimberly Humphries: Please accept their innocent mistake. Allow these travelers a safe and quick return to their families and friends. Bryan Jerome Lovsness: In the interest of humanity and for the sake of PEACE free these hikers NOW - all it does is make your COUNTRY'S leaders look insensitive in a time of warming relations and goodwill. Earl Ludwiczak: My heart is with the families of the 3 hikers. It is a shame that the president of Iran alone would not pardon them. It's like a Canadian hiking and crossing into America accidently, No way would we detain them for 3 months this is an outrage. Keep fighting. Katherine Morrison: Please release the hikers. Kerri Blackwell Kim Dettwiller: My hearts go out to the families and loved ones. I will pray for the safe return of Shane, Sarah and Josh Mary Jensen Nathan Thompson Nancy Arezu Nicole McDaniel: The Outdoor Club at Colorado State University offers their sincere support and well wishes to Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Please bring our friends home. Thank you. emily schmidthubre Carol Jones: Please release these 3 Americans. They were not trying to cause harm. They are teachers and educators. They are children, brothers and sisters. They made a mistake which they are obviously sorry for - please find it in your hearts to release them and let them come home. Kris Lunney sherry neu: i will pray for them. Lauren Rose laura b: free the hikers. Miss one sign and you are in jail just doesnt seem right! Anonymous Mike Simmons: We will never give up working on your release! Art Foster Randall Walton Jackie Kovach Christy Gonzalez Russell Preston: I don't know them, but I hope Sara, Josh,and Shane are released soon.Here is a wonderful opportunity for Iran to stop being so petty show the world that they have a sense of justice. Anonymous: I'm behind you 100%. Everyone will be in my prayers Stan Rachelson Roger Anderson Susan Woolley Bonnie Ballard Michael Manning Robert Christensen Donn T. Wonnell Doris Garcia: My prayers are that Shane, Sarah and Josh are doing well and that they will be released soon. Anonymous Jeremy Artzt Anonymous Glyn Johnson: Pleae rise above the politics and treat these young people as you would wish your young people to be treated. Your culture has always been known for it's hospitality and gracious tratment of travellers. Brian Diehlman Arin Couchey Charles Marcellus: You should seriously consider doing the right thing. I hope you know what that is. Anonymous: Don't play politics with innocence. Katie Wilson Anonymous tom: these kids are just sightseers.LET THEM GO michael nolan: I feel you are only punishing these 3 individuals because our two governments are at odds with eachother. Show compassion and release these 3 innocent humanbeings. Chris and Danusia Williams: You and your family is our Prayers and know this God have a planfor whats going on and he will reveal it soon alex padilla jr. grace: please release Sarah, Shane, and Josh they need to be home with their families. they are dearly missed. Anna Duncan: My thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Please come home safely! Matthew Dana Drake: It's time to return these people to their families. It's time to take a step towards stopping the hate. Anonymous: Do the right thing. Anonymous: come home safe Andrew Hurley: Let them go, NOW! Anonymous: Theses are three innocent young people with no malice in their mind and deserve go come home. Not to do so is inhumane. Deborah Vaughn Jeanette Bosson: Prayers to the hikers and families. They must be released immediately. To the Islamic Republic of Iran: How would you like your family to be treated like this? Please, do the right thing. THARAKA RANBADU Anonymous: These people should be immediately returned to America, there is no reason for them to be detained. This is just another ploy for Iranian government/dictatorship against United States of America at the expense of innocent people. Our prayers are with you and return home soon! Scott C april Anonymous: Keeping you all in my prayers. God Bless. Michael West: They deserve due process. We all want them to be released. They shouldn't be held if they don't deserve it. Marcia Becker: Since when is hiking a crime. Let's hope the U.S. government has enough spine to do what's necessary! Anonymous Melissa Morton Anonymous Kelly Jones: The Iranian regime says they want to live in peace with the rest of the world. Now's a good time to prove it. Release the tourists. Yvonne Sargent: Please free these innocent young people. Lisa Jones: The Iranian regime says they want to live in peace with the rest of the world. Now's a good time to prove it. Release the tourists. Joshua Rapp Joe Todd: Prayers sent that you will be released soon. Jami Greer Sarah Deuitch Greg Everett: Please have mercy on these people. I'm sure, like most of us, they mean you no harm. Anonymous Alan Mizell Michele Gannon: Please free these young harmless innocent people. They are non-political. Erika Minster Anonymous: I am totally disturbed by their detention and hope that everyone, from the officials in this country, to the intermediaries, and to the Iranian officials help secure their release. Donna Seep Joe Gattuso: It is totally unbelievable that anyone would think these hikers were doing anything but enjoying a vacation. That is a beautiful area to see. The three have my best wishes and prayers. Cory Smith Anonymous: My prayers are with Josh, Sarah and Shane and their families. May God grant you peace of heart and bring a speedy return of our fellow Americans. Ellen Landi Akkad Slevany Mark Miller kathy setian Sadaf Monfared Brooks: Iran is my country of origin and it shames me to see them take such action. Iranians place high value on the family bond and for them not to allow contact these three people is unforgivable. I have always been a proud Iranian, but now I hang my head in shame. Please allow Shane, Sarah and Josh to contact their parents until their safe return. Anonymous Robert Talbert IV: My sincerest prayers go out to all three of them. May god bring them home safe. Amen. Donna Bennett Anonymous William Michitsch: If they dont turn them over, let us go get em! William Michitsch: If they dont release them, lets go get em! lxgyzjuot Tony Stamilio: I am praying for a safe return to the stateside Blake Baber: Free the hikers. Bring them home!!!! Madeline Keller: Releasing Sarah, Shane, and Josh shows only mercy, not weakness. Be merciful and allow them to come home to their families. Kristine Clinton Catherine Lewis: Please release Josh, Sarah and Shane. There is no reason to take this long. John from New Jersey: They will be released soon. We support you fully in your quest to retrieve your family members! Anonymous Danielle Brow Sandy McGinnis GLENN MARTIN david feinberg Paula Kelsey: God Bless these three, and may they stay strong and healthy, and be released very soon! Lisa Dicus: Families are as important to Iranians as Americans. Please allow compassion to release these kids to thier families and resist the effort to make this a political matter. ANONYMOUS: Bring them home Mr. President. Maria Salnik: Please take a moment to think about how you would want a government to act if these were your own children. Would you not want them to be treated fairly and compassionately? Anonymous: Iâ€™m an Obama supporter and a strong believer in the peaceful way of uniting nations. I hope the Iraqi authorities want the same and acknowledge that bridges canâ€™t be build like this. As for the US I canâ€™t understand why we havenâ€™t taken stronger action. It set a dangerous precedent when we show we are not willing to go to the extreme to protect our people. Jeff Glasser Peter Paul Hannah: America and the international community have not forgotten about you, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal. Be courageous, stay hopeful and have faith. You share the same in common with the Iranian young people. Two thirds of the 70 million residents are under thirty years of age. Hunger for the opportunity to learn culture and experience tradition from around the world. Your essence, character and your spirit of adventure capture that inner self in those Iranian youth. What Iranian government approach to these 3 young hikers speak directly to what the Iranian government done to the Iranian youth. I harbor no ill will to the Iranian people and Iranian government but it is fundamentally wrong restraining Iranian youth growth to be a fully human being by confining and obstructing there development that essential for better relationship among it neighbors and give rise for the condition for peace. I call the American government and the international community to sit-down with Iranian government and have a discussion to releasing Shane, Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal to there families and spend Thankgiving and Christmas Holiday these years, 2009 with there loving families. Thank you, Sincerely, Peter Paul Hannah Sarah Butts Anonymous Jennifer King Andrew Krymkevich: they aint do nuthin wrong....let em go Lisa Shaw-Newman B. H. Malone: You are in my prayers. God bless each of these hikers and their families and friends. Anonymous KasiaB Jackie Babik Ashley Laurie Danley Linda Martinez James Corder Meredith Decker: Good thoughts and much love, let them come home! Heather Dalberg Torde Christopher Myrick: My prayers go out to all involved in this... Anushirvan Bakhtiari teddy: Let my people go!!! Anonymous lucas smith Anonymous: Please let them come home to their families! They made an innocent mistake and had no bad intentions! Peace & love to all in your home. marilyn jones rocky sanchez Valerie Ann Kurtzhalts: These 3 young American citizens need to be released & returned to their families. Brandon Boude Jim Tindall Ben Artino Vincenzo Artino Ethan Boude Anonymous elisabeth boude Margaret Tindall April Walker Sarah Boude Alexis Perumal: Praying for your safe and quick return Anonymous Miguel Mota Brock: C'mon, this is nonsense and anyone with a rational mind can understand these three are harmless and were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, what makes you think you can treat your fellow human beings this way? Just do what is right and send them back to their families. Janet Scheer Anonymous Brent A. Jacobs: Please release the hikers. Crysta Parkinson Andrew: FREE THE HIKERS! Caitlin Richards Aviram Azoury Houston Sambit Mangaraj Pamela Morring: God bless and watch over Shane, Sarah, and Josh! We are all hoping and praying that Iran frees them soon and lets them come home to you! nicholas Blazis: they do NOT deserve this!!! Gabrielle Lange: please let them go! Lidia Lynne Martinez: Being related to "the fourth hiker," I know they had absolutely no intention of crossing an unmarked border. They were taking a short vacation in a growing tourist area. Please allow them contact with their families and release them as soon as possible. Anonymous Michael Bonham: Please free the three innocent Americans, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal, who accidently strayed into your country, wanting to enjoy the scenery, and never ment to cause any problem. I want to also condemn the person on post #16, who is probably an American of Iranian descent, for their disrespectful post. To the Iranian government/judiciary- Why hold them in detention if the border is unmarked? Since the border region is a growing tourist area, don't you think that someone, enjoying the sights, could accidently wander unintentionally into your country? Mercy is given where mercy is shown. If you want better relations with the U.S., please start by extending an olive branch and release the three Americans now. They need to be home with their families. Anonymous: Please don't punish young people for political differences. Jake Schiffer Donna Long: Please release these young, innocent Americans. Deivis Slavinskas: FREEDOM TO HIKERS! Roel: Best wishes to you all from China! Anonymous Anonymous: I hope they are freed. Regardless, of a bad mistake in youthful judgement, Iran Release the hikers now! Anonymous: We will keep the hikers in our prayers. God's Blessings to them and their families as they make it through this. jacob billings Christian J. Anonymous: Return these kids to their families,it's the right thing to do. They clearly had no intention of wrong doing and you stand to gain nothing from this. Richard Jackson Clay Magidson Daniel assis: Please show compassion!!! Relese them please!! Linda Burke Anonymous: Please release these young, innocent Americans Anonymous: My thoughts and prayers are with these three young people. Bruce Williams Anonymous: please free the hikers. ruby sparks Sean McCann greg vanden: The Iranian government should expedite their case. Emily Hanson Amy Robbins Michael Deveney mark souza: i will help you. let america stand with you i know i will Steve Rienecke Jennifer Lambert patricia silva ricci Jennifer Dooling: Please have mercy on these hikers and send them home to their families!! Lenore Wilson: Please release these people, they have nothing to do with any political stuff. We are praying for you Laura Gaines Elizabeth Smith Dave Mrstik Kassidy Brown Marie Heilman: Best wishes for a come back home soon! McKenna Jarman: ill continue to keep them in my prayers. Nina Eichner: I believe that the hikers did not mean any harm and should be peacefully sent home. Amela Begic Tara Spellman Susan Pinch Richard Ross: My thoughts are with the hikers and their families. Stay strong my friends! Anonymous Tina Alexander: Support from Berkeley, CA! Scott Smith: This will only tell If Iran, is without Justice, If they dont free the 3 Innocent People. PAUL WILSON: We must not let three American citizens that were not malicious in their actions but just got lost and turned around not be punished because our governments are having issues. If Iran wants to show goodwill and gain good favor with America and our government release our people. These are not just strangers to us but are our fellow American's. Angela D.: You are in our prayers. Anonymous Anonymous Karla Alvarez Claude Epting III: Please release these innocent people this is not the way of Islam. Live by your creeds and release these brothers of mine. Troy K Dawes Dharmika Henshel Lil Purvis: Dear Iran, Please release our fellow Americans. They were just innocent hikers enjoying the outdoors and our planet earth. Their families and friends are missing them terribly. Thank you for your compassion. James Martin Anonymous: I'm praying for them! Mary Evelyn Tse Anonymous: free the hikers Caroline Dubois Cecilia Cichon Anonymous: Please release these innocent Americans. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Anonymous Thomas K Weiner Anonymous: plz just release them...they r innocent Blair Bowie George Crosby Anonymous Dennis Stricklin: Please free these innocent people back to their families. Benjamin Weaver: I pray for your family and hope this petition will be grounds for immediate diplomatic action for the benefit of your family. Miro Z: Hey, we all know well what these people are about, and what they are capable of. The sooner these boys are free, the better. Anonymous: I pray for their safe return. Dorothy Brinton: I'm praying for their safety and release!!! and for the family at home waiting for that! Anonymous: My family is praying for you all. Have faith and remain vigilant! Sharon Nestick: I am Praying that they will be released Very Soon ! ! ! ! Daniel Qualk: Have mercy. Susan Embry-Busch: let them come home. aren't there bigger issues to deal with? Anonymous Mary Anne Doyle Norma Jean: Please let them come home. Please Anonymous Roger A. LeMar Sr.: I am a former soldier from the Viet Nam era and lead a good life with 4 children and 7 grand children. I will go in exchange of the hikers place. What do you care, all you want is an American Captive. Yvelise Schlaefli: Por favor liberenlos, dejenlos volver a casa. Karen Shaw David Culp: Keep pounding on your elected officials. The only way for it to be taken serious is if it remains in the news and Iran is embarrassed by it. Karen Watson: God Bless. Alicia Nathan Mayra Vargas: Please let them come home. Nan Vollbracht: Release these young innocent Americans. Pat Lavorgna Amy Nicholson Jan Miller: There are thousands praying for their safe return. To the captors in Iran - God is full of mercy and compassion; please follow His example, please release them! Kate Calcutt: Thoughts and Prayers are with these three hikers and their families ADRIAN LINDSEY: They're in my prayers Audrey LaRoque Tony King: Imprisoment of innocent people only fuels the case for sanctions against Iran. A good gesture for the Iranians would be to let them go and appoligise for their actions. This is about 3 people losing their way.. nothing to do with politics.. Do the right thing and set them Free. D. Smith: We are praying constantly for Shane, Sarah and Josh! Debbie K.: Praying for your safe return home. Peace ~ Anonymous: Hope you get back home soon. Don & Ellen told me about this Anonymous Meghan McGuire T. Logan: Please try to be decent and let these innocent people go home. Anonymous Anonymous Christine Annarumma: The 3 months detention should be sufficient penalty to ensure future violations of foreigners into there country. If they were not American would they be released already? One must wonder? However it may be we should all just look for world peace and respect others cultures. These 3 people did just that. Read the bio on each, how brave to travel and give what they did to other countries.They are innocent and made an honest mistake, please release these hikers. May peace be with you. Carolyn Scherner: Please release these hikers Teresa McDowell: Please release our countrymen. Let them get back to their families and their jobs. They meant you no harm. They were just on vacation. Mr.Ahmadinejad, you were not captured and held here in America when you visited, so why don't you extend the same courtesy to these people? steve pawlak: Let Them Go! Patricia Jones: The right thing to do is to let these innocent people go, they meant no harm. Barbara Garner: Please free innocent young people who are only trying to help the world. Jordan Barbara Reynolds: Please take time to discover that hiking was their only mission. These are young people who love to hike and enjoy learning about different cultures. Please release them to their families and friends. Barbara James Lydia Merriweather CINDY HILL: Please do not make these young people part of a politcal agenda, and let them come home to their families. Anonymous: My prayers are with all of you for a safe return. Anonymous: Please free these hikers. They have lives move on to. Bonnie Rames: In solidarity with the world's hikers and trekkers. Kathleen Cusatis Anonymous Arin Baun Laura Zerr Alexander Kox Jackson Galka Anonymous: Please free these innocent, well-meaning hikers NOW!! Encian Pastel Berkley Carnine Jessica Austin Lourdes Reyes Ryan Pryor: Please release the hikers immediately! Sherry Hanley KAREN: In God speed let them return home!!! Desiree Gorski: shame of life Jessica Ferne Anonymous Hannah McGregor Ruth Singer Anonymous Anonymous Rosaelena Bernaducci natalie hamingson Paula J. Arbuckle Anonymous John Blair sylvia hyman Jessica Thron Paul Hufker: Set them free! Alex Lozano Kathryn Hewitt Jane Blue Anonymous Anonymous Mike McIlvain: As Iran knows, those are not real, structured borders where the hikers were captured, and there is much question as to which country they were really in. That alone, after obvious security checks now, should be more than sufficient grounds for their release. Barbara Dyke: Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request. Carol Sloan: I would hope that the country of Iran realize that these three people were hiking, because of their love of beauty that is found in the region near the waterfall. These people have families who miss them sorely. Joshua Dell'Aria peter: let freedom ring Thomas G fruge: Peace can only be achieved through acts of kindness and a show of Friendship. It is not through governments but through the people of their countrys that it is achieved. deena mckenney Wayne Leng Donna Zillner elsidita giron Anonymous David Hirao: The hikers who have been arrested are average tourists and not spies. Please release them as soon as possible. Justin Heng Laurie Will MacPheat: While I understand Iran's historic issues with the United States, I feel that our country should consider any harm to these people as the most serious matter. Michelle Castillo shana wilson SÃlvia MartÃnez Nancy Marshall Barbara Warne David Ringer: This is an out rage when americans leave are country we are kidnapped or taken in to coustody for no reason ! Do u see that happening when people from other contrys come here? Americans are explorers how do u think we found this country? We like to go were we want because it is a free planet everyone just wants to have the planet for themselfs. What are they going to do with it if one person ruled the world. Total chaos SET THEM FREE THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANYBODY TO BE DETAINED FOR THAT LONG FOR NO REASON! colleen McCoy: Please release these people...they need to come home to their families, thank you... June Lauren Reich Anonymous Anonymous Jennifer de la Riva patricia wrightson Russ Letica Anonymous Becca Jennifer Robin Peter Burkimsher Anonymous Anonymous Daniel MacAdam Anonymous Sue mary castle Edwin H. Knepshield: Please release these people. Detaining them serves no purpose and only hurts your image around the world. You can still be part of the world community and not compromise your Islamic values. kelyn Jones: i hope to see them released soon. they will be in my prayers Anonymous Heather Giese Lisa Friedland Anonymous: I am from Iran and I think it's absolutely disgusting from the government of Iran keeping these three innocent Americans in jain. They clearly didn't mean to cross the borders and they are not harmful to anybody, clearly and even if they were, they had to be treated right and given lawyers, proper food and connection to the outside world. The Iranian government has proven once again how disgusting their acts are and I feel for all those who are waiting for these three loved ones to come back home. Kristina Weyer Aria DiSalvo Anonymous: LET THEM GO trevor pemberton: Being a friend of the islamic community and a freelance writer in Guyana, South America,I urge you on humanatarian and compassionate grounds for the release of the three harmless hikers from your prisons. Susie Anonymous sterling showers: please free the hikers now David Kono Damon Fisk Pete McCormack Sujean Anonymous Timothy R Hanson: There is no reason to continue detaining these young hikers. Ned Hamson Anonymous Anonymous Mary Kelly Anonymous Anne Weills: I hope you will quickly release Shane, Sarah and Josh and let them come home. This peaceful gesture from the Government of Iran will be helpful in normalizing the relations between our two countries. Respectfully yours, Anne Butterfield Weills, Esq. Rebecca Young: Please free these three young people immediately - they are no threat to anyone. Alex Clayton Paul Kim: Please free the hikers, they cause no threat to your country. David Bush Jessica Puzak: let them come home Blair Liberman Edward Liberman Sarah Leavitt: I wish your dear friends a speedy and safe return home. Jeanne Green: Please free the hikers Keri Tierney Czrilla Gounlong Tauni Richardson: It is shameful that Iran chooses as political pawns some of the best examples of those who forsake greed in favor of truly working to make positive changes in our horribly misguided world....Iran, please expedite their release so they may get back to their very important work... jami olsen: so sorry for them- please soften the hearts of the Iranian leaders- if they need to keep asking questions- let them do it in the USA Mylene Merlo Anonymous Anonymous Amit: Please let these people go. You don't need them, they are no harm to you, they do not represent your enemies. They are just three kids. Please let them leave your country, so they can be reunited with their families and friends. Andrea del Moral Keri Botelho Maurice Elefant Anonymous Adrienne Lorton Tom Rivers AA michael el nour: Release Shane, Sarah and Josh, now, in the name of freedom, in the name of God. Laura Ling Chad minnie Marissa Simoes Marco: FREE THE US HIKERS! FREE THE US HIKERS! FREE THE US HIKERS! Lana Bailey: Please bring the hikers home to their families. They are of no threat to Iran. Anonymous: This is unacceptable! These hikers were NOT attempting to enter Iran illegally.... We need to see that they are set free immediately! anonymous Donovan Chin: Please release the hikers Tracee Lee-Holloway Andrew: As Americans we are sorry if we have offended your country. However, these three people didn't know the boundaries of your country as they are "unmarked". It was only by accident that they made it across. Please release them and show your mercy and goodwill to the entire world. Mary Toothman Alissa Holland Natalie Weiss Niels JÃ¡kup Ã JÃ³gvanstovu Mindy Simmons: I pray everyday that the world turns from fear and paranoia to trust and freedom. I am disheartened that these three kids are being held in prison for exercising their right to walk around this planet! What a complete and utter shame and sham to hold these people as a threat to the security of a Country!! Show us your strength of character Iran...let these kids come home. Shelby Finch Anne Hawthorne: These three people are jewels, and our world needs people of such caliber so desperately. Free them, and let them encourage others to be as courageous and principled. Anonymous Anonymous Diane: Please free these people now. Matthew Felts Ted Rohe susan Whitman: Release Shane, Sarah and Josh, now, in the name of freedom, in the name of God. Peggy Meisch: Hiking is not a crime. Please release them. Anonymous Tim Chng Catherine Park Sarah Santos: God Bless them and their families. Nilsa Lennig Krysten Hager Kim Waycott Anonymous: Please free these young people. God Bless Dawn Goula Anonymous Michelle Hesse M A Cherry Sean Puglisi suzanne medsker Earle Mason: Please release these hikers as they meant no harm. They [possibly] crossed an "unmarked" border by accident. If they were Russian they would have been left alone. They are only interested in learning more about other cultures and places around the world. Holly Kim Lesley Miller Julie Caskey Anonymous Pamela Hickman Shelly Reddell Anonymous Yuriko Howell Anonymous: You have made your point! Let them come home! Shawn Burcham: These are innocent people with families who are worried beyond reason. Do the right thing. Let them go. Bart Marsh: Dudes. Come on. Really? Jennifer Hane: Please, don't cause suffering to these people and their families over an innocent mistake. Keeping them imprisoned will tarnish your reputation in the eyes of other nations. Claudia giuliano Rajshree Boyragee: Set them free! Tenzin Kunsang Sophie Meagher Anonymous Anonymous Heather Mains: No reason to detain them any longer they are no threat to anybody, please bring them home. Anonymous dayna kunkel: Let them be free! Josh: Please free the hikers. They're intentions were entirely peaceful. Scott Greenberg: An important goal to reconcile all cultures is to have a clear, truthful line of communication. Please open your lines of communication and inform the families of the hikers of your intent. Please allow this situation not to be about the relationship of Iran vs. the US, but rather a situation based on how one human should treat another. Rebecca Kennedy-Smith Anonymous Galen Yuen: Show compassion. To the measure you offer it to others, it will be returned to you... Anonymous Amie Martin Jon Brockett Jason Patrone Anonymous: THEY NEED TO COME HOME!!!! Anonymous: THEY NEED TO COME HOME!!!! Julie Kris Martinez Anonymous Anonymous Nina Smith: Be compassionate; ranked a great virtue in numerous philosophies, compassion is considered in all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtues. Steinunn Pieper: Pls free these hikers! They made a very human error, or rather had a geographical accident, and meant no harm or disrespect. I dare say that hikers who want to explore regions like the ones these have are nothing if not respectful towards the people and governments they encounter, whether by design or accident. Pls free them! Thank you, Steinunn. Angelle Lemarche: Please let them return to their home. Susannah Reynolds Angelyn Judy Lee Colleen THomas Todd Fjield Brian Ashman: These are obviously innocent people who meant no harm or disrespect. What happened was an accident, please understand, and let them come home. Anonymous Patricia Berkoben: There most be laws put in place for any country that detains or imprisons any one who enters another country who did not or does not intend to do any harm to any citizen of that country. If that law is broken then we must stop any imports to and from that country along with the U.N. backing until they are released unharmed. (only my opinion) Sandra Clark Amanda Cannon Anonymous Sandra Summers-Barrick Sarah Buck: We are all human, all one race.. Please let them go home to their families. Sheny Drea Wieslander R. Albano: The families, friends and supporters of Shane, Sarah and Josh share the deep hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion in this unfortunate case and release them as soon as possible. Ximena patricia: It is time to step up Iran and show compassion and common sense. These are someone's children,that are being held unlawfully. Free them! Mary McHugh Jen Anonymous Anonymous Celeste D Torres Carly Audrey Potts: set them free! JOHN SINGISER Karen Braxton-Elkins: They just need to be released to come home to their families. I am praying for their return. Ming Chi Lucy Winter Valerie E. J. Bymers: Please demonstrate your compassion release these hikers. Anonymous: please free the hikers... Emma Dines Cathie Foley Anonymous Rachel Henderson Marla Schulman: Please let them come home thank you! Cora Porter: Please let them go back to their families. They are hikers, not criminals. Peace to all. Gotham: It matters Arthur Anderson Michael Roth: Yes, please release these people and do the right thing. Anonymous James Berry: Freeing these innocent hikers would be a powerful sign of compassion for Iran. JoAnn Nevermann: To forgive a transgression is a sign of strength, and not a sign of weeakness Anonymous: Please free these innocent hikers. Ginny Prickett: Please let these people go, back to their family & country! Kathryn Mostow Adina Matusow: Please let them come home. Mary Yollin: Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh. They had no intention of entering Iran and we hope the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion by releasing them to their families. Derrick Shore Lisa M Clifford bopha ul Sandi Reyna jay Simonsen: Thank you, Lisa, by thinking for so many people!!!!! Free the human spirit of God! Anonymous Anonymous Jacqueline Janet Kelly: Please allow all three to return home. Andrew Kibbey: Josh is a kind, thoughtful and compassionate person. Please let him return home and to his family. Mary Horrocks Anonymous: Please allow these amazing young people to return home to their families. Anonymous Martha Markins Andrea Harris Lonnie White Dawn Murphy Doris Jerez James Lee Jobe: These three made a simple mistake; the mistake of getting lost. The months in jail already served seem punishment enough. Please send them home to us, with our thanks. This mistake will not be repeated. -JLJ Judi Woods Megan Windeler James Yee Eugena C. Oh Holly Jones: Please free the hikers! Bonita Smith: Praying you'll come home safely - AND SOON! roni blanche Paul Bruce-Joy Christina S. Patty Riguis Nicole Mattsson Natalia Fajardo: Please free these innocent people Anonymous Yvonne Mathews-Davila Zev Feinberg Dimitris Karin Kamp Anonymous Wendy Taylor Rich Miller Adam M Debra Lowry: I am a hiker. I believe these people wanted to appreciate the land and the culture of the peoples as observers. These appear to be innocent individuals who should be returned to their families. It would be an act of compassion to release these hikers. I personally would be appreciative to have their citizens returned. I think the Whole USA would see their release as an sign of understanding and co-operation. If non-militants are imprisoned, this is an act of aggression. These are not militants, but wayward innocents. I would have Iran in higher regard if they came to this understanding. Iran might appear as humans rather than a son of a camel. Carrie Brayer Libby Hapke Melissa Holland Camilla Calamandrei Anonymous Bekah Hykan Elizabeth Roy Woosuk Jang Maggie La Rochelle: sending support that they make it home soon. I'll tell friends and family and spread the word Martha Staininger Anonymous Kim Chavez: My thoughts are with the hikers and their families. Please send them home. Shawna Lucey Sara Montero Danielle Gagnon Sacha Christianson: They have done no harm and deserve to be FREE! Please listen to the plea of their families and friends. Out of compassion, and respect for human life please grant them freedom. Spanky: May God be with all three, you are all in our prayers. Please release these young people. Eric Repking Anonymous: we only punish people that comit crimes in the usa. these kids are only being held for polical gain Meredith Greene Megaw: Please send them home! B. Hall Ayla Meurer Kim Jones Elizabeth Ridgway: Please release the hikers so they can come home to their families. Cathryn Morris: Please quit using innocent people to further your political agendas. Be true to yourself. Marie H. D. Marie Harbo Dahle Cheryl: Do the right thing - free the hikers Rebecca Barry Rita Berglund: May a way be made for their release and for new respect between all peoples. Bo Clearman Dwayne Beard: Using innocent people for political agenda's is wrong in any faith! send them home! Anonymous: To Whoever That Reads This: I first want to say that these are good people, with huge hearts that live with positive intentions and purpose. I lived with Josh for a short period of time in a house that fostered cooperation, and also knew Sarah and Shane... Sarah used to come over to my house as she was friends with my roommates. Over time we had several conversations about community and culture, and I know deep in my heart that all three have complete respect for other cultures and nations. They never would have crossed the border on purpose. Please return them home where they can continue to influence others to see the world as a community of people, rather than a place where we fear those we do not understand. These are people who people in the good of humanity. Please prove them right about that. Peter Weyhrich Jennifer Weigert Veronica Balta Mary-Ellen Creamer Rochelle Ellis Carson Chase Anonymous Erica Cohen Jordan Asam faith and neal erkes Anonymous Lee Steadman Alison Dailey Tracy Shimura Malina Berman: may your Angels provide and protect for you and bring you three home safeley. goddess bless Anonymous Ravi Joshi Michael Bollinger Anonymous Tim Poole Blair Gollihur: At least allow them to speak with their families until some resolution is made. Michelle Pelc Lauren Schiffman Tara Linda Wortman Ashley Barnard lisa smith Elizabeth Grimm: You all are in your thoughts and prayers. Craig Donaldson Trevor Williams David Keenan: Mr. Khameni and Mr. Ahmadinejad, please release our friends. They are peaceful souls and meant no harm. Ruth Brock Anonymous Shoshanna Addley: "-Be not disheartenâ€™dâ€”Affection shall solve the problems of Freedom yet; Those who love each other shall become invincible..." -Walt Whitman, 1900 Nora Purcell Lisa Blanning Zachary Braswell Anonymous Anonymous: Please in the name of God, let our children rest and set them free to join there families. Tracy Roach Trent Riley: These men and women wanted to enjoy the cultures of the region, if anything they should be thanked for trying to be more open to these cultures. Keep strong guys you will make it home! Anonymous Jill Burcum Anonymous Anila Sitaram Anonymous Jill Kushner: We will pray for your safe return and ask that Iranian officials understand that your entry into their nation was not intentional. Peaceful wishes to all. max nathan Leigh Baker: For pity's sake, at least let these people talk to their families until they're freed! Sigmund Stringer KE: They should be released from Iran and brought home. Jamie Clemens: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh!! Anonymous Christine McKay: I respectfully request that these young people be released from detention in Iran. From all the reports from family and friends, these hikers did not intentionally enter Iran, they were lost in the mountains. Please let them be free to join family and friends. There is no benefit to the Iranian government to continue to hold them in detention. They are not covert CIA operatives, just young people who made a mistake. Please let them return to their friends and family soon and wish them well as they appear to be advocates of world peace and tolerance. Scott A Smith: Praying for a better Iran, starting with the release of 3 Young Adults. Melissa: THEY WILL BE FREED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Judy McKenzie Anonymous: COME HOME SOON. Mat Ranson: I hope they are able to return home soon... Bill Ambrose Fernando Bermeo Anonymous John Kee: The Republic of Iran should have mercy and immediately release Shane, Sarah and Josh. Ryan Anderson Elle Manzano Victoria Cranner Susan Chouinard Sharon Loniak: My heart goes out Shane, Sarah, Josh, and their families. Julio Valdez: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh go home to their families. Thank you. Barbara DeGrande Scott Meyer Dawn Searcy Leo Ferretti: Please free these Hikers. Any person, young or old, student or not could accidentally cross unmarked borders. They had no equipment for any sort of sabotage, let these innocent people go. Not only will it relieve them and their families but also relations between Iran and the U.S. Not again...: Wishing prayers and blessings on all involved. Take the opportunity to do better and make the choice to take the higher road. Lacey Knox: They clearly did not mean any harm. Please forgive them. Anonymous V. J. Link Constance Pearlstein Anonymous Andy Rieder Kevin Hall Anonymous Shane Knox Schloesser Chad Kennedy Aimee Kolbeck jenna Lara Timberlake: Please let them go. With sincere hope, Lara Timberlake Anonymous Anonymous Mary T.: TO THE LEADERS OF IRAN: Please show your humanity, and let the world know you're ready to join them on the global stage. Release Sarah, Josh and Shane. Let their families see, speak to -- have them back. As the days go by, your credibility drops lower and lower. Why? Iranians are better than that. ??? ??? ???. ? ???? Matt Spendlove Piewacket: Injustice should be rectified Lori Stone Lorrie Richard: show the world that Iran is a compassionate country that has a sensable and unbiassed court system by realeasing Sarah, Shane, and Josh. Joanna Hatt john R Beres Jill Sharpe Magdalina Deen Jacylne Ting Anonymous Ben Kubczak Toni Scott Benjamin Turner: The American Government has a responsibility to secure the release of these three peaceful people. Angie Landenburger Anonymous Alex Lamas Kristin Vanderkuip: Please free the hikers. They are good people and deserve your compassion. crobin Anonymous: Courage tara laycock: please give Sarah, Josh and Shane their absolute freedom back Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Show your humanity and compassion. Please free these three hikers and give their families peace. Jessica Cullen denise herycyk: please show america you can be a compassionate government and a rational government and release these hikers Margaret Gallatig: I will keep you and your families in my thoughts and prayers Luke ann Anonymous Janice .Pasqualini: Please set these students free. They were only enjoying the countryside. We as a nation miss them. david pulkrabek Anonymous Florence Steichen Robert Lennes: This was simply an honest mistake. Please show some compassion and free these people. Thier parents and friends are not high ranking political figures. They are simply humans who want to see thier loved ones alive and well. Casey Crowley Sarah Nasir Elyse Tamberino: Please send them home. Neil Curtis Glen Gilmore: Islam has always called for strangers to be treated with kindness and compassion. I urge the Iranian government to release Josh, Sarah and Shane, as a gesture of humanitarian compassion. They are young people whose enthusiasm for exploring and loving the world carried them into harm's way. Please return the safely and soon to their families. Thank you. Jackie Brock: Josh, we all got together at Rachel's today for a 100 day vigil. There are so many people working hard to get you home. You should see the website! We think of you everyday and know you will come home soon. Jackie Cheryl Durham Anonymous Patty Lyons: please let them them free Jay Holden: Dear Iran, please don't release these people. It's good they've had their freedom taken from them. Perhaps next time they won't be so careless with it. ankit: For the sake of humanity, Please free them...God bless u all Anonymous Sarah Nichols Anonymous Jeff Marshall Anonymous kimberly keck: thoughts are with you... peace. Brian Collins: Hoping this ends soon. Anonymous Anonymous Katie Brock Henry Thompson Anonymous Anonymous Liz Bottomley Kyle Coughenour: How would the family of any Iranian feel if they knew about their relative crossing illegally entering our border and being held for weeks and months at a time? Zack Musarsa Cynthia McQuade Bryce Jones ryan: please let these people go Belinda Heaton Jonathan Beck: My prayers go out to your family. I am a traveler and understand that our (travelers) decisions impact family and friends many times more than myself. I pray that Iran will understand their true purpose there, and return Shane, Sarah, and Josh safely. David Mallett: Please have compassion for these people, it was not intentional. Ammar Jadallah David Mallett: Please have compassion for these people, it was not intentional.I am praying for the students. Lynn Brehm Rayne Warne Anonymous Doug Grinbergs David Schaefer Colleen Trhlik Shane James Anonymous: How utterly sad. What a world we're in where three young people exploring can't make a small error and pay for it so brutally. Anonymous Anonymous Zach O'Donnell Peter Martin John Miller margaret estes: Please release the hikers! Mariam Alam Mariam Alam Michael Royall Dawn Rhodes Alice Lewis Michael Boyd Anonymous: Please release them! DAVID TEITEL David Cotton Dina Portik holly baldwin Anonymous: All the support. Martin Barbosa: I Hope for a safe return of my fellow citizens. Jocelyn Navarro Anonymous Adam Lipson Scott & Julie Boyce: It's time to think about abducting innocent Iranians in retaliation. Then charge them with crimes against humanity. Oh, and blindfold them & parade them in front of cameras. Sound familiar? Laureano Aguirre: I hope you all three can return home. Jessica Krader Joanne Gotto Jamie Harness: Please allow these hikers to come home! If the border was umarked, they had no way of knowing they had crossed it... please, realease them. Frank Roberson: I hiked in Turkey in 1969 and had the experience of making the same mistake by unknowlingly crossing the border into Iran. I hope that the Iranian government will understand that Josh, Sarah, and Shane obviously made the same mistake. They meant no harm to the Iranian government or the Iranian people. They are nature lovers, not spies. Anonymous Michael Brown: Please show the mercy and compassion that your religion teaches and release these young people. Jackie Suess Jim Gibbons: Accidental Tourists are not by definition guilty of espionage. They were careless and naieve but are not guilty of anything beyond that. Hardly indictable. Hardly a threat to Iran's security in any way. I think Hillary and Bill Clinton together need to make a plea for the release of these poor hikers. Compassion is in short supply in Iran and needs to be inspired. Paula Hertfelder David Tomlinson Anonymous Douglas Ivan Brown: Our God is a loving God. I pray to him for a safe release of Sarah, Shane, and Josh. Ken Sullivan Paul Donnelly Anonymous Aaron Breslow Laura Sarah M. Bassett LaDee Bigelow: Please return Shane, Sarah and Josh as a token of peace from your country. Thank you, LaDee Bigelow Loren Gauci: I wish them the strength to get through this time, and the faith to know they will get home safe. Dasha Bulatov Benjamin Markway: My views represent Bolton High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, and we are urging Iran to release these hikers. Anonymous Neil B. Fazel: As an Iranian citizen, I think we should release these kid. Let's not follow the Guantanamo style of treating foreigners. They look to me like idealistic youth caught in a situation they didn't understand. chris: Please send Josh, Sarah and Shane home. Rachel LaMonte Jennie Olson Roman Hrab craig blankenship Heather Schmitt Anonymous: Please have compassion and let these young people return home to their families. Tina Tsai Michael MacDonald: My condolences go out to the involved families. Lauren Withycombe Anonymous: Having hiked in mountainous regions, I would like to say that it is very easy to become lost. I believe that these hikers were off their route and not in any way guilty of espionage. Vivian L. Chris Niedbala Anonymous: It sounds like these poor kids wouldn't have any luck if it weren't for bad luck... please let them go as it was a simple mistake and be with the families during this time... Ainslie Gilligan Anonymous Shawn Ross: Please release them. Shane Bauer is a friend and a good-hearted person. Robyn Falgout Jane Finn-Foley Erin Grimes Jillian Anonymous Anonymous: I truly believe this is a big misunderstanding and the should be released immediately. Joe Madden Lindsay Numedahl Leanne Gray Anonymous: Respectfully, please let these young people return safely to their families. Anonymous: Please send them home. God Bless. Katie Eagles Paige Harrington Anonymous Anonymous Nicolas Padamsee Annie Fast w. salazar Robert Seigle: Free these people. This was a mistake and it is known that this was a mistake. These are innocent people and are being used for political purposes. What kind of government would be so cruel to innocent people. Shameful. Bethany K. Coulic Lori Nacario Gabrielle Deal YUMI GOTO Gary Campbell: I can't believe the Iranians think these guys are spies. They KNOW the truth, but trying to show their, uh, muscle. My heart tells me, they are doing this for the hype. But with enough publicity and time, they will do whats right. Free the people! Jason Lewis Sebastian Bonn Lauren Roellig Anonymous Will Payne: This is an outrage! Alicia Andrews Matthew Kushner Heather Williams Benjamin Adam Shelly Gold: These hikers are innocent children! Is Iran so desperate that it uses children to achieve their diplomatic goals? Ryan Manka-White Ana Vollmar Thomas Jones Dan Fernandez: Respectfully, please let these young people return safely to their families. Anonymous virginia martin Anonymous Ron Levy: let them go they did nothing wrong Anonymous Mandy Campbell Anonymous Jenny McClain patty cohen James Bernegger: I implore the Republic of Iran to immediately release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd & Josh Fattal from detention. I could not believe until the unfathomable news today that they will be charged with espionage that the three were still detained. How absurb! This incident and the interminable delay in freeing these three young adults provides vivid evidence on what I fear to be irreconcilable differences in our cultures and values. Sad conclusion by one that shares the trios hope for a world desperate for understanding and mutual respect. system. Edwin Huber Connie Wansart: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh. Gail Seagren: Please release SHANE, SARAH AND JOSH,they are good people.Please release them to their loving friends and family. A.J.R.: It's kind of sad that you have to detain someone because of an accident that could have been prevented ], if the Iranian Government would just properly mark their borders. We will probably be seeing you very soon. Christy Hawkins Anonymous MIchelle Dale Dunlap: Please release these hikers. Yes, they made a stupid mistake but I am sure that they have MORE than learned their lesson. You've also set a good enough example to scare the hell out of any American that is even THINKING about coming near your border again. (With all due respect.) Esther Goldenberg Scott D. Spencer Anonymous: Doesn't Iran have bigger and better things to worry about then three innocent curious hikers. Obviously they don't pose a threat to anyone so why are they detaining them? This world is messed up. Anonymous Madelin Rogers Esther Hsiang giovanni: free for americans!!!! Kasia Gadek Anonymous Anonymous: Peace & Love Savannah Gibson: Those poor people are being held with no evident evidence. So there is no reason they should still be detained Philip Plowe: I hope the Iranians use wise judgement and release these hikers. Alex Folkard: Please release Josh, Sarah, and Shane it was a honest mistake that will never be forgotten. Don't use these kids as a political statement, otherwise you are practicing inhumane politics. Be bigger Iran, show the West we are wrong about you. Please. Arthur Richards Anonymous: Hopefully this is not just an act of vengance ? lauren slutsky: please please let these innocent people come home to their families....please have compassion for each person as a person and not an american....please release them and do them justice to have the freedom that they deserve!!!! Anonymous: Please free the hikers. They should be with their families. It's the holiday time where is your compassion. Go and get the real criminals. Mrs Sharon Davis: Innocent American citizens need to be freed. They just got LOST!! Please let them return home to their families. Erika Henry: Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow. ~Dorothy Thompson Praying for the safe return of these innocent, good, trustworthy people. Don't lose hope!! Anonymous: PROMOTE PEACE. This is crazy, let those with peaceful means and pure hearts go free. Erin Blanchard Anonymous George: Free the hikers! Paige: I cannot imagine being trapped in their position. Free them now! Hope, love, and peace to the hikers and their families. Andre: The Iranian goverment has to free these people. Lisa Evenson Sina: I am an Iranian and disgusted with the behavior of those dictators. Don't worry at all, Ahmadinejad just want to misuse them as a bargaining chip and propaganda. They will be freed soon. Because he doesn't have power to keep American citizens. Alison McIntire Sam L Nora Gilmartin Casaundra vanZee Anonymous: Free them just as you would expect others to free your own people. T.K. Shannon: To the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran: I respectfully request the release of the hikers, namely, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal. It seems they were simply enjoying the beautiful Ahmed Awa waterfall in Kurdistan when they mistakenly crossed over into Iran. This was an innocent error on their parts; they meant no harm. They are young and happy people who are very interested in other cultures and only want peace for all beings. If you do not wish to release them without a trial, then I'd like to request that they be allowed to (a) speak and write to family and friends; (b) meet with attorneys who speak English fluently [or meet with non-English speaking attorneys with reliable English interpreters available] for reasonable amounts of time; and (c) speak with any ambassadors/representatives to demonstrate their safety and health conditions for their families, friends, fellow Americans and other caring individuals around the world. To Shane, Sarah and Josh: We are keeping you in our thoughts and hearts and wish for your prompt release. Stay strong! We will not forget you. We will continue to work for you all to be free once again to enjoy the world as hikers and kind and happy human beings. To the family and friends of Shane, Sarah and Josh: I am so sorry this horrible situation took place and I wish for your loved ones' safe and prompt return to the United States. I hope Iran's government will realize soon that they have made a sad and horrible error; I hope they will be compassionate and forgiving and give Shane, Sarah and Josh their freedom. boston goldman Anonymous Kay Jarrett Jojo Lam Chad Hunter Chad Hunter Anonymous Joy Stallworth Jacquelynn Justin Melvin Judith E. Marlin: Please release these young adults. They were merely enjoying an outing in a naturally beautiful area. We all were young once; it was an accident. Jeremie Vachon: It is easily possible to get lost in the mountains and to cross a border by accident, as there is no indication and mountains are usually used as natural borders between countries (Argentina and Chile for example). Let those guys free, they did nothing wrong! Anthony Deborah Fulkerson: Please show humane compassion. These hikers were simply enjoying your beautiful scenery! Many more of us would like to visit you, this is an opportunity to open up to the world and show your gifts of nature and compassion for peaceful coexistence. We are all One. Garrett Schwartz Paige Dow Anonymous Kai Lawson: I don't even know where to start..This is an outrage.. the Iranian government should know good and well that these 3 young individuals are not spies.. it is outrageous.. I am pissed.. I feel so much compassion for them and their families.. I cannot imagine how it must feel for their families not being able to talk to their children.. I am so mad! FREE THE HIKERS NOW! vanessa Alisa Guadagnuolo Anonymous: As a Muslim, I hope that the Iranian government will let these three go home to their families. It seems that all their lives they have showed nothing but deep interest and respect for Islamic culture and religion. Allah is Merciful, so please, please have compassion and let them go as soon as possible. I will pray for them and their families and friends. Kimber Kuhl Kellie Keelan: My thoughts and prayers have been with these three since I first heard the news. Sarah Kelly: I hope they are swiftly released. It's hearbreaking. Jessica Kelly Stephen Smith Jerri: Shane, Sarah and Josh, I will keep you in my heart, on my mind and in my words. Scott Chris Link Ken Mori corissa james Frances Brittle Anonymous Rory Lindsay Terrell Roberts: I support the families and friends of the 3 American hikers; Shane, Sarah and Josh. I plead with the Islamic government to release the 3 hikers as it would show a great deal of progress and respect to the United States. I would pray that the captive Americans are in good health and are being treated humanly. Please, please, please allow them to come home. PLEASE! Brenda D'Onofrio: Please release these three young people. The clearly just made an error and need to be sent home to their families and friends. Do the right thing and free them. Rocio Ungaro Murad E Murad: I stand in solidarity with the families. I pray the Almighty send His solace to the young ones and magnanimity and compassion to the Islamic Republic country Anonymous: If only Iran knew about UC Berkley grads. There's no way that any of the 3 could be spies nor do anything to support an espionage charge. Free them. Z! Haukeness connie allon caroline greenage Krista Gallinger Sarah G Martyn: Please release them. We are all children of this world. Jackie Brock Anonymous: They must be freed now! Jason Samara: Disgrace Anonymous: I was looking for a current event to write about for my 11th grade world history class when I stumbled upon this story on CNN. I couldn't believe what I was reading! I've always had an interest with the middle east because my father is from Kuwait which is no too far from Iran. Its hard to hear that they would do that to 3 innocent Americans! Shane, Sarah, Josh, and their families will be in my prayers. God Bless them and their families and keep them all safe. debbie stenson: please let them come home Thyra Folkard: Please free these hikers, these are innocent people who deserve to return home safe to their families. Abbey Nichole Framo alex folkard: I am fighting for you guys... Hang on. Chris Power David Dickerson Anonymous: Please return these American individuals back to their families, please do the RIGHT thing NOW and release them. Jeremy: Mistakes are mistakes. That unmarked border is easily crossed and seeing that they are obviously no threat to Iran, to detain them any longer only reflects negatively on the Iranian government. Doesn't do much good for muslims in general either. I didn't capitalize the word 'muslim' for a reason. Pathetic. carolyn giles Anestis Tsakiridis Adalberto G M Filho: ???? ????. ???? ??? ?????????? ?? ????????.. Bexie: Please send these children home to their mothers. Peace. Debra Watson: Please release Shane, Josh and Sarah. Mistakes happen. This really is a disgrace. Anonymous Ian Lundy Kathy Lapointe Arash Davani: As an Iranian I am so ashamed that innocent people who made a mistake crossing UNMARKED border line have to end up in one of the worst prisons of Iran and Iranian government has to treat them like this, keeping them long time cut from their home and families. I guess to prove if some one is a threat or really innocent could be done in few days and there is no need to keep them such a long time there, mainly such a young people from another country who do not know the local language at all. Every person can make a mistake and I am sure they are no harm to security of Iran and just made a mistake. Iranian govrenment if really supports humanitarian action can show their support by releasing these innocent Americans and let them go back to their homes and families who are so worried. I am praying for Josh Sarah and Shane and hope they come back home safely and get their families out of worries. God bless all of you. Anonymous Whitney Null Tom Myers: It's high time for the Iranian goverment to show by actions that it is a 'legitimate' member of the UN and the free countries of the world: send these kids home with apologies. Anonymous Christine Liat B Anonymous Rebecca: get them home safe! Kreg McMinn: I hope the Islamic government can comprehend the pain and hurt they have caused the three detainees, their family, friends, and all the others who have signed this petition. Something so innocent and accidental should not be so harshly persecuted. I feel it's despicable to detain these innocent people and pray and hope they receive a safe trip back home, very very soon! Theresa Gianino Robert Bassett: Can't we all come together as one on this earth and live as ONE PILAR DÃAZ LÃ“PEZ Phil Eppard: It's too bad that innocent people have to pay for world politics. wendy johnson: Please work to free these people. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Please release the innocent people Anonymous Mary Klimas Rachel: Please set these innocent hikers free!!! Cheryl Holly Theresa Geer Anonymous: Please let's not allow the innocent be caught up in politics. Let these children go, have free hearts, and enjoy life Anonymous: As a gesture of good will, releasing these hikers could only show the government of Iran in a favorable light to the international community. Anonymous Anonymous Brock Skywalker: I respectfully request the release of the hikers, namely, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal. Karen Ham Anonymous Anonymous: Born free....they should be free. They are not spies Dejavu73 Anonymous Anonymous: please end this madness. be civil. these are not spies. they are us citizens. Luke Marshall Melissa C: pls release them..my prayers to the victims and their families Jane Guyer Kevin MacKenzie Grace: God bless Shane, Sarah and Josh. Please release these good people that meant no harm. Sonia Barral: DonÂ´t blame 3 innocent people just because they were born in USA. Rebekah Taylor Michelle Peterson Daniel Frease Jonathan Lovett Anonymous: respectfully request the release of the hikers, namely, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal. jennifer sandoval: my thoughts and prayers are with the families and the three hikers for a safe return!! JOHN: Let these young people go. Their only crime is that they are naÃ¯ve and innocent. Anonymous: These people are a friend of a friend; and we wish them a peaceful return to their homes. Masa Kimisha: My prayers go with the families and Shane, Sarah and Josh. I hope that they come home soon. Kate Vaughan Rudy Lopez Linda Henry Steve Fecarotta Greg Meimar Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Stop this charade, free them now. Anonymous Anonymous teresa f johnson: They are NOT spies. please show the world your fairness and free the hikers. Teresa F. Johnson Panama City, FL 32405 Anonymous Anh-Tuan Tran collin mcnamara John Delmos Mary Chiodo: Please release these people to their families. Bri Precious-Keyes: Please let our Americans go! Let them come back home to their families, we miss them. Anonymous: When will this nonsense all end!!!! Steve Becker Anonymous Julie Paige lee taylor Anonymous: AS a mother, I can only imagine the heartache of the mothers of Shane, Sarah and Josh. Please allow them to come home. Please. Fabrizio Pergolesi: Please free them now! Per favore, liberateli. Anonymous amandine: Bordeaux, france Richard Carey: Shane, Sarah and Josh: have strength, this too shall pass. John Perry: Reaching out to young Iranians through social media and building relationships is the best way to undermine the haters and to build bridges to a better future. John W. Perry Upper Arlington, OH Mike McCullough Adrienne Rankin Michael DaPore JB Martin Chris Livingston: Please release Shane, Josh and Sarah. Giacomo Pettenati Judith Singer Heidi Blatti Kaitlyn Myers Heidi Vinkemeier: Lets bring these innocent kids home! Joseph Buccheri Anonymous: As a South African I ask you, in the name of humanity, to release these innocent people. They simply made a mistake in crossing and UNMARKED border, and do not deserve detainment or any other punishment. Please show them mercy!! Sabrina: Please send these three home. There is no need to make examples out of them. michelle ostling: please free the hikers. i am praying for peace between our countries, if not through our leaders, through our citizens, i pray that your hearts will be changed and your minds opened as you are filled with love Lorna Matthew Wells Anonymous Michael Kwan Anonymous: Show some humanity - release the innocent Americans! Nancy Snyder Malina Anonymous: Please send these lost hikers home. They had no interest in entering your country- please allow them to leave! marie-claude reid andrew stockdale Shirley Foster Lisa Hodaei Anonymous Hector D. Alfaro Jenifer Shuman: These individuals are innocent and deserve to safely make it home to their families. Please put yourself in their shoes and help! Clare Keating Anonymous: please send these hikers home Michela Gatti Joshua Murdock Anonymous Jacinda Davis Nicki Broughton Anonymous Anonymous SJ Wright: I think we all know that the right and just thing to do is allow these people to go home. There is no evidence of any malicious intent toward Iran. They are simply being young human beings wishing to travel and see the wonders of the world. leah labourde Rochelle Michaels: I hope and pray for your safe return. Evelyn MARY FRIEDMAN Thomas Harris Kelly McBride Megan Thomas Geiger Ignacio Bonilla Andi Mancuso: Please. vanessa angeles: As an avid traveller and one who loves 'off the beaten path' locations, this is frightenting. I truly hope that Shane, Sarah and Josh are freed soon and return home safely. Amy Brown: Innocence is NOT a prosecutable offense! Ricky Brown Sookie Landsteiner Chad Jeff Romain: So they stepped into your country entirely by accident. Accident or not, why is anyone taking issue with this? It is a crime against humanity to merely CONSIDER these folks as wrongdoers. As intelligent adventurers to do, these three were curiously exploring. Please bear in mind that this beautiful planet is home to US ALL. I encourage you to look into the eyes of Shane, Sarah and Josh, and it will be absolutely clear that they have not a mean bone in their body. I don't even know these wonderful people (However, I could cite countless inspirational qualities about them after hearing about and reading their stories.), but it is highly apparent that they are utterly harmless. Please, please be kind to them. angelageno: show your compassion to the world John DiCarlo: If you really want peace with the West, this is a way to prove it. Release these people now and stop playing with the lives of these unfortunate souls. Candace OMalley Jason White Robb Kushner Ken Weaver Anonymous: Send these lost hikers home. Karen: My thoughts are with you. Hang in there. Anonymous Anonymous Lloyd Kenneth Anonymous: A colleague of mine a good friend of one of these hikers--please, for her sake and everyone else who's close to these three hikers and for the sake of being humane, release these hikers! Bonnie Godwin Jenna Ruddock Joe Warrick Christina MacInnis: It's ridiculous that these hikers are being used as political pawns, send them home!! Jessica Einaudi Danny Greene Jessica Brock Melissa Metez Elliott Johns: let them go safely Lionel Toon: Please free these innocent hikers. Anonymous Kim Szurnicki Anonymous Andrew Kalik diann brashier Anonymous K. Deane Scott Britton Mary C. Taylor: Please send the hikers home soon. Olga Latyaeva Anonymous: I pray that the people holding them, are finally filled with compassion to their fellow humans, and realize this was a sad mistake, and release these people so they can go home. Nadine M. Keck John Bauer Tripta Kaur Nadia Winstead Karina BIlbao: XXI century and we still have to see this? Cynthia Carr: My heart goes out to the hikers and their respective families and friends. rossi borgia: Our prayers are with you all!! Peace and Love!! Matt Hopkins Gianna Toboni: These people are innocent and would never disrespect the culture of the country in which they entered. It was all accidental. Please please let these three innocent people free. Leigh Ann Sanderson Erin Dale Roth Kristin Goff Bob Coon Lauren Hassoun Lil D Anonymous: PLEEEEEEZ free these innocent hikers whose only goal was to enjoy the beauty of the land. Cassandra Tippetts Sandy Fimbres Belinda Richmond Kathleen: Iranian Government officials: As a hiker myself, the draw to see the beautiful sights that God/Allah has blessed us with is always a temptation that even bears, moose, or governments rarely can keep us from being drawn to. These young Americans were so filled with the sense of beauty that they did not even think about "borders". It was an honest/innocent mistake which they and their families have already paid dearly for..please just let them go home. Dan Bearden Nicole La Fetra Sherman Teichman: The sovereignty of human beings must transcend the sovereignty of national borders. Surely the innocent crossing of these unmarked borders. Surely your government can distinguish between malevolent acts and such benign mistakes of naive travelers. The compassion of your religion must assuredly ultimately trump any security paranoia. Please release these youngsters. Anonymous: I wish for a safe return for Sarah,Josh, and Shane. Please let them come home. Debra Nelson Bonnie Burt Anonymous: Free our citizens. Please work toward a more peaceful world. Lainey Fox M. Myers Elizabeth Hayes Anonymous Joseph Cote': At the mercy of the Iranians hope to see them freed. Lawrence Levin Jorge Bron: Animo que saldran pronto de esta situacion. Behrang Harsini: My parents are Iranian born American citizens and it is an absolute shame that these three seemingly great people are being held. My sympathy and thoughts are with these families, and once again the Islamic Republic has embarassed the Persian people. Brenda McCroskey: I pray the Iranians have humanity and compassion and free these innocent people soon so they can return to their families. Glenn S.: As one who has a good number of Iranian friends I ask that in the name of justice, fairness and compassion that these young people be returned to their families. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Please do the just and sensible thing. Neville Krishnaswamy: Please release them for the sake of their families. Let love and humanity prevail. We don't need a world of insecurity. Lead from the front and set an example Iran. Anonymous Edward a. Velez Renate Dietrich: I share the desire of the families for the safe return of these hikers who must have lost their way while hiking. Please show compassion for these three young people. Show the world that compassion is not lost. Sharleen Jacques Anonymous Myrna Laura E. Martin Anonymous Mansur Arshama: Praying for the release of your beloved. Richa Gujarati John H. R. Pieper Katherine Ovsak Mike Meyer: C'mon, give these kids a break. They might have been a little reckless in their adventure, but they certainly meant no harm to the people or government of the Republic of Iran, with whom all of us want to see peaceful and cooperative relations. Freeing these three young people will go a long way in that direction. jennifer scott: The government of Iran should take this as an opportunity to show the compassion and strength of character of the Iranian people by releasing these 3 innocent young people. Let mercy & peace prevail! Scarlet Keane: Don't worry guys, we'll get you outta there... Dan Trachtenberg: Hoping for their safe return. tracie de angelis: i truly hope that politics can be taken out of this and that humanity will prevail. Anonymous: Always thinking about you 3 and praying that you are returned home soon Antoinette M. Sveom mickey Craig Katryna Jones Caitlin Jarvis Cassie Maas: Please show compassion and mercy on these three young people. Rick Coffey Anonymous Anonymous Sage Seeberger Shanda Sciacqua Helen: Please open your hearts and allow Shane, Sarah, and Josh to return home. Lorrie Heard Anonymous Anonymous: Show why America is a nation to be proud of. We protect and care for our OWN! David Layton: We, the undersigned, respectfully ask the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal from detention as soon as possible and allow them to return home to their families. As an immediate step, we appeal to you to allow Shane, Sarah and Josh to speak with their families, in order to ease the worry of their loved ones. SET THEM FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS WILL HELP WITH RELATIONS BETWEEN Iran & The World. The World will recognize that YOU have GOOD intentions. So please do the right thing & release these 3 Tourists Tori Robertson Short Anonymous A Schneider meryle reynolds: Do the right thing and send them home to their families. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous D Marland Anonymous: Let humanity prevail!!! ashleigh mÃ¤ttÃ¶: we are praying in finland! Anonymous Chiara Aliprandi Melanie Borowczyk: My prayers are with you all and your families. God's speed! Sherry: I hope they return to their family as soon as possible. Please send them home to their families!!!!! Wendy margherita porzio Geoge Restiv: These young adults meant no harm to the government how could they be spies in that remote region. They are innocent children. Jacqueline Parris: It is with humility and respect for your government I ask you release the three Americans held by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. If you investigate further you will note the individuals were not purposely intent on break any of your laws. I request as well they be allowed to speak to their families. It is humane treatment we seek as well as respect for their rights granted by your country. I respectfully ask you to reconsider their charges and allow them to be released. shukran jaz?lan ???? ???? Jacqueline Parris Anonymous David Houck: The fact that these people are still being detained is outrageous and absurd. Anonymus: ... Perhaps the waterfall should be a clearly marked border area. I can see how travellers could easily make such an innocent mistake. I believe God, by whatever name you give him, is peaceful. I will pray for a calm, logical, sensible and peaceful outcome and safe return for them. Thank you for your time in reading this, and your assistance in peacefully resolving this situation would be greatly appreciated. Anonymous Alan Freedman Sara Landman Anonymous: Free them - We are all "One Human Family" Meredith Russell S. Russell peter: The Iranian Govenment is making a mockery of themselves, their country and their religion, as thereis no doubt with free think inteligent people that these three childrenare innoecent, just as Neda and the majority of the protesters aare innoecent. Anonymous Anonymous Ann Martin: Please release the hikers and send them home. Anonymous: The wide never ending hands of God are upon Shane, Sarah, Josh with the power of pray they with return to their families - I pray to give them strength and keep the faith until their return. Heidi Oelrich Diane Russell Karin Anonymous Anonymous Ken Montague III Lesli Summers-Stay Jodi Christensen Paola Gaggero: Please release them Oliver Human Virginia Higgins Tracy Lukehart Christina Dendy Anonymous deborah little Meyer Rosenthal Colette: What a sad and difficult situation. My prayers are with the hikers and their families. I understand that "border crossing" is a serious offense in Iran...we need to respect that, but mistakes happen! Iran should put up fences or walls. It would be rare indeed to see an American climb a fence in order to cross into Iran. It's wonderful to be from a country in which ALL are welcome...God bless America. Vanessa Montoya Elizabeth Lina Garcia Dr. Susan B. Morton: Please allow these young people to return to their homes. Their gravest mistake was carelessness. Their families are heartsick. Please show compassion. Mary Poggie Kristen C Darla Blackburn: I pray for the safe return of these 3 young people Anonymous Maryann: Please release them, send them home to their families who love them. suja Al Weinhold Gauri Pathak Sarah Paige Tabitha Carson: My prayers are with these hikers and their families. Anonymous Karla Brundage Trish Waugh: Please let these innocent Americans go. Anita O'Shea Michelle Bloomberg Heather McNally Michael Cozens Leah Shaun Kiss: This would be bad for tourism in Iran. It was a mistake. They should not be detained as spies. Chris H. Early Russell John Chris Bowles Barbara Sheridan nicolette ludolphi Anonymous conni m Larsen: We will pray for their safe return. Constance Pfahlert Anonymous Rita Gago da CÃ¢mara: Please, release Shane, Sarah and Josh. They done nothing wrong! henry Nicole Kevo Jeff Squires amy oconnor: please dont let your hatred for the US overwhelm your humanitarian common sense. free these people. they are not a threat to iran. your government is a threat to your country. come into the 21st century once and for all Ursula Zamora Anonymous Giacomo Dainesi Russell Boquette: They are not pawns but young people. Please let them be free. Jen Romero Michael Sue Jenefsky Kristine Burt Veronika Stiegler: Please let them go home to their families. Jennifer White john pedliham Nicole Tanner Anonymous Susan Padilla Anita Fung Anonymous Jinny Montpetit Debbie Rechtman: Please release these hikers - they are innocent and should be returned to their homeland and families. Deborah Silva Anonymous: I'm walking right beside you.... Rebecca Bell Anonymous peter massoels: you should treath them as guests ! Rina Montti Lori Bacon Gesine Heller GÃ¶ran Koch-Swahne lucie mayer Anonymous Cristina Brad Autumn Grinath Kelly Howard Jackie Dove: It's pretty obvious that these folks were unfamiliar with the terrain and mistakenly crossed an invisible border. If Iran wants to have a fight with the U.S. then pick on someone its own size. Persecuting innocent people just because they're from a country you don't like is ugly and will further alienate Iran from the rest of the world. Deric Wieting Larry Schultz Dave G Nadezhda Peneva Anonymous Anonymous susana moilanen Vicynthia: They need to reunite with their family. Angel laura hercher dalia schnaider Sandra Pekarek Michael Glenn Graciela PatrÃ³n Mederos: Por favor!! Son personas inocentes, que tienen una familia que los espera. Diane Jarosy: Please have mercy and compassion and free Shane ,Sarah and Josh. Nathaniel Durham Anonymous: Please stop using people as pawns. I keep thinking of Rick Steve's show on Iran - and I was so impressed with the beauty of the country and the beauty of the everyday Iranian. To degrade the image of Iran with this political ploy is unworthy of the Persian People. Anonymous Gladys Loo Kalyan V. Meola Janet Leitner Maria GonÃ§alves Susan Holland danna cynthia martinez Melissa: Didn't your president say he was going to work on releasing our citizens when he was in America earlier this year? christine huang FranÃ§oise BontÃ© Caitlyn Hemenway Rhodri J. Murphy Marianne KB Anonymous Karin Friederic Karen Hobbs Anonymous LeftCoast Graphics: Free the innocent kids! Anonymous Eileen Thomson Juliana Lesley Richardson Rick Trent helmut drexler Fran Morrison Faraz Rahman Sharon Smith Laura Cooley Ruben Sun anonymous Darija Mandic Arthur Alfreds Laurie Millane diane books Steve Weiss John Denton MÃ¡rcia Rodrigues Anonymous: We need peace in every corner of our beautiful planet so generations can hike and discover other cultures and learn from each other. Please release them . Michelle Bafik-Vehslage: There is no reason to hold them except for a political agenda David Herbert Slade Patti Aker Elias Tarantal: bring the hikers home NOW! They didn't mean to do anything wrong. It is unfair to hold them for just a mistake. It is illegal what they are doing. Matthew Mercurio Anonymous Thomas Tonneson William Schmidt Victoria Staunches: It is time for this to end. Anonymous Nancy Friend Rebecca Phillips Jay'me Golden Sarah Kubley: Home now!!! Please. Mariella Morton Nick Kelly Joshua Doolittle: Let'm go! Molly Bullock Angie Holley Thomas Gannon Molly Olk Stacey Campbell April Lyons Zach Dosch: Love. Mary Wible: bring them home, what did they do wrong. Carla Clements: We know where you are and we won't forget. Kelley Day: Love. Jordan LaRusso Anonymous Allison Weliky Savannah Russell Joyce Deed Aurea Abrantes: It is unlawfull to hold citizens just because they crossed the boarder of a country, without a proper visa. Do the right thing-Send them back to their country of citizenship. andrea ros: si us plau....deixa els libres Anonymous: Praying for eachh of you Kathleen Culver Dee Rettig: Please allow them to go back to their families. They did not do anything that horrible. why do you treat people so badly? Don't you people kow how to "love your neighbor"? We want to be your friends and all you seem to want to do is harm our people. Turn your hearts around and begin to value others and show that you are human also ... Let our children go! Carrie Williams becky le compte Chelsea saada Tiffany Carlson: This is outrageous and wrong. As an american citizen who is open, honest and holds much compassion for many people around the world, i am disgusted with how this situation has been dealt with and the lack of understanding of the iranian government. My thoughts and hopeful energy goes out to these three ---people---who have tried to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the world, only to be held captive and tormented for nothing done wrong. Jeannette Robinson Caroline Nicole Jacqueline Levine Tere McGuire jazz Kim Johnson: Please let them go home. Afshin Marashi Anonymous: There is nothing to prove by holding them captive. Please free them! Cal Freedman: Shane, Sarah and Josh are not guilty of the charges stated by Iranian authorities. Stefano Mosi petra: Come home safe!!! Judy Molland Anonymous Crystal Keith: Please release them immediately & let them see or talk to their families until they can return home! Lorraine DeGloria Anonymous: Free the hikers! Lindsay Madeira: They did nothing to deserve detainment. Please let them reunite with their families/friends. d'hauteserre Dominique Laurence Swift Caroline Darst: Having once been a hiker, I realize how very easy it might be to cross a border. George Capacete Lexie Pretto Patrick Ryan Vasiliki Vourda: free them now! Sara Fontani Bruna Nin Luana Di Domenicantonio Gabrielle Silverman Anonymous: We are not going to rest till we secure the release of Shane, Sarah and Josh - regardless of how long it takes. I urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to free them now or risk loosing what little goodwill you have left. Marijana Konkoli Zdesic Anonymous david craig: please don't make Iran into a laughing stock by actions more like those of a whacko African dictator, than those of a sophisticated culture. Alexis LaMere: please release them to their families so they can be home for the holidays! Jo Pineda Victoria Trimble Anonymous Sharon Davis Canty Joy Harris Ilia Potebnia Barry Reese TAMARA Abby Mundell Anonymous Kalen Cap Tom Rottmayer Maura Malloy Megan Speight: Peace Love & Light Anonymous: good luck..... Joseph Hirsch: Please free my cousin. Danielle Kleven Carolyn Arcabascio Carey Clifford: Detaining hikers is not an appropriate way to practice politics. As a Muslim, I believe that the times we are living in call for a more open attitude towards other people and other cultures. Allah Hafiz, Carey Clifford Jennifer DeVine: Free Sarah, Josh and Shane!!! Nicole Elkington Eric Robinson Christine Dodd: I would like to express my outrage over the detaining of these young people who have not done anything wrong except to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So I hearby advise the Islamic Republic of Iran to release these young people at once and do so in a timely manner. They have no indication to cause any disrespect to your government. The family, friends, and supporters of these young folks ask that you release them at once. Anonymous Danny Collins: Release them immediately. Jayme Anonymous Anonymous roberta capotorti Anonymous Catherina Hurlburt Anonymous: hikers need to be exempt from political craziness!!!! Phyllis: The time is now... Deborah Meszaros Del Pickup Greta Nelson: Mistakes happen all the time. Unfortunately, a mistake made by these three individuals has resulted in a true tragedy. Fortunately, their nightmare could be ended quite easily, if the Iraian government would simply release them. They could simply be escorted onto a plane bound for the U.S.A., which would ensure they were leaving Iran. What more does the government of Iran want? And doesn't it only cost Iran money to detain them? Meg Dugan Nan Johnson: Please let them go all they were doing was hiking. They are not spies. Kira e Anonymous Anonymous Sarah Atkinson: How frightening for these young Americans. Anonymous Robb Silverberg: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh go home , their familes miss them Alessandra Frank Fred Teng Abe P: god bless Dr. Carole Edmonds: Considering the natural beauty of their location it would be easy to get lost in it and become misguided. Please release these three hikers. Rosalea Davis: please free the hikers, as americans we often drift around admiring the beauty of this earth. Let them return to their families. Ibrahim Al Abd-Allah: As a Muslim, I am saddened and angry over what people are doing in the name of Islam. These three young people have my support. Anonymous Anonymous: Please have compassion. Anonymous: praying in Jesus's name. Lindsay Mills: Please show these hikers the compassion and humanity they deserve. Do what is right Iran, your international reputation is at stake. Anonymous Craig Mitchell Lark Bolan nancy cardozo: Please hurry and bring them home. They are innocent travelers who have done nothing wrong. This is no way for Iran to behave. And tell Iran that if they don't want people crossing their border they should put up a couple of signs or a fence or something. Sam H Anonymous Colleen Gross viviane vanbuggenhout Soraya Ehsani Nategh Henry McFarland Elisabetta kaostek Maryann Hassall Anonymous Anonymous Dorothy: Please free the hikers. Their friends and families are waiting. Jennifer Fuentes Jennifer Fox Lauren Kushner Michael Liz G.: I pray that these three people are returned to their families and loved ones as soon as humanely possible!!! Getting lost hiking should not be punishable with imprisonment. Anonymous Ellie Purvis Amy: Being humane means understanding that mistakes happen. Borders are not always clearly marked with a dotted line in the dirt. Please free these innocent young hikers. michelle schwegmann Patrick Schifferdecker Perry Green: God Speed. Shea Kauffman Anonymous: The three hikers were just enjoying the view, they meant no harm. I pray the will be home before Christmas and be with their families. Sybil Rivers Sandy & Dr. David Rosenthal James Viglione Sara Bear Limerick Kelly Chris Thouin paul carmody angela miller: Hoping for a peaceful outcome! Please come home safe! A. Rafferty Amber Fairlamb Tara: It disgusts me to see the way Iran is treating these poor kids. They crossed a border accidentally that definitely doesn't equal espionage. Let them come home!!!!! TED THOMAS LANANE: We ALL need to get behind these hikers! Take action NOW and ask Iran to free the hikers and show they understand tolerance and can exercise it too!!! SIGN THE PETITION AND FWD TO ALL YOUR PEOPLE BECAUSE THESE HIKERS ARE OUR PEOPLE!!! Daniel Raccuglia Anonymous: Free the Hikers! Munirah Alam Anonymous: Let them go!!! Miriam Rosen Cosme Falcon: Iran government please let our friends go, you do not have rights to keep on your jail...their families need them back. floriana Ryan Silvia Peter Smith: FREE Shane Bauer Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jen Mason Shirlee Geiger Cynthia Browne J Koehler camille greider Brenda Yun lauren lambert Richard Swift Zanne Dailey Lisa Marie Daniel: i hope and pray that Shane, Sarah and Josh will be freed as soon as possible; and that in the meantime, they know how many people are out in the world praying and fighting for their release and well-being. Anonymous Christine Collier Cam MacKellar Anonymous Terri Shofner: Please let these kids free. They entered your country quite accidentally and should be allowed to continue their journey. We love our children as much as you love yours. The difference is that we welcome your children to hike in our country freely, we hope that you will do likewise. Louis Hall: Please show compassion for these hikers and release them. Brandon West abi alarilla Rebecca Buck Anonymous: The hikers need to be released as soon as possible, in good health, and without ANY conditions. They did nothing wrong. Anonymous Debra Northcross: My thoughts and prayers are with you always,we want you all to come home. Faith, Love,Peace!! Lewis Brancati: Please be humane. Anonymous: please release them. it is very hard to take your country seriously if you don't do so. Sarah Debra Northcross: Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We want you all to come home. Faith Love Peace Leigh Barbara Karnes: My heart and prayers are with the hikers and with those that hold them, in hopes they find the compassion and character to do the right thing and let the hikers free. Shelly Falconer Anonymous Zack McManning Tarique Peart Anonymous Ian Ashley Jarmon Christy: LET THEM GO. DAVID THOMAS Jennifer Zamora Lindsay Atherton Anonymous: Please do the compassionate thing. These could be your children in a different country. We are all fellow humans living together on one fragile planet. Lets look after each other. Anonymous faith hershiser Jennifer Robinson Julia Richert Tish Blankenship Anonymous Susan Janecek Kelley Barnes Roger Barton Anonymous krista mackin Lauren George Susan Cassidy Dwayne Stupp Malyssa Sambrano James Hess Trisha Currey Anonymous christina kang Anonymous Janet McKay Anonymous Anonymous: Please release these innocent U.S. citizens! Thank you..... JULIE TAYLOR Karen Mullaney: These are innocent college kids - please stop using them for polital agendas and send them home!!!! Kristina Below: If it were your son, daughter, wife, husband, sister, brother, or friend you would ask for the same thing. It's time humans show compassion...please allow them to return home. Anonymous: Free them mark your border if you dont want it to be crossed or put up a fence like the one betwen u.s.a and mexico and the one between u.s.a and canada Anonymous Alicia Sorrell Warnkers Stephanie Guillet Marjolein Bos natassa Katie Anonymous daniela segalowitch: I am sure that you will soon liberate these young people who committed a mistake, but not a crime. Thank you in advance and hope to be able to visit your country one day. Maria Deborah: Please, for the sake of Peace, let these innocent people return home. Hasan Hamdan: release them, have some humanity Caendia Anonymous Svetlana Vasylyeva: Just think about you own children, they will also learn from their mistakes. Please let those kids go back home. Rae Anne Gedorio: Please let Shane, Sarah, and Josh go home. We are all too certain that all they wanted is an immersion and education of Asian/Middle Eastern culture. Pray be kind and allow them to go home safely. Anonymous Chris Bumeter Anonymous AndrÃ© Gurrik Paula Anonymous Anonymous: This is a travesty! These kids should be released! Hillary Clinton should be working tirelessly for this. I'm so saddened by the way the US is not stepping up to the plate and resolving this. Cathy Wolfe Gloria Cathey: Please let them go, this is a travesty. US should definitely step in and help them gabriella Clingman Anonymous Guilherme Lopez Jessica Roberts Johanna Tukk Jennifer Campis Anonymous Mykle Zoback: please keep them safe from harm michael delane Nicoleta Diaconu Filipe Oliveira Marni Clark: Free these innocent people - NOW! Who really benefits from their confinement? Nina Lorum Stamatiou Beth Eisenson jamie jo france: please let us open our hearts, our souls, our minds...and change this world from one on imbalance , suffering and fear, to one of compassion and understanding. i hope Sarah, Shane, and Josh know people our thinking about them and that there are many of us. it is so important that they know this. love and peace! jamie jo jesus Anonymous Meg Hamill Anonymous Anonymous: Please free them...there is no harm in making a mistake, let them go home. Justice speaks the same language everywhere, and in every religion. I know you will understand, I am sure. Thank you. Anonymous Megan Nora Wilson: Free these people they've done nothing wrong! Peg Doolin Angelie s Anonymous Audrey Fameli Anonymous Perry Cortell Jane: They were just hiking, not bothering anyone. Please let them go. Shelagh C: Although we understand the complicated foreign relations situation with the United States Government, please consider that these are individuals that are far removed from policy and the government. Their punishment should be in proportion to the crime they committed. I appeal to the rational officials of Iran to act fairly and responsibly, and not stoop to the level of some foreign leaders. ann barney Noel Anthony Haughey: Please free the HIKERS!!! Anonymous Anonymous: Please free these innocent people. Please. James Sykes: Hikers should have no border. Free the hikers they bother nobody. Bella: Please let these innocent people go home. They were not there to harm anyone! jennifer Hilton Barb McClain: It can only have been by accident. Please let them go back to their families. Renee Michael morrow Amber Michel Lynsey Morgan: This is rediculous. They have human rights and have dine nothing wrong. This was a mistake and I hope they get released soon. Anonymous: Please free Shane, Sarah and Josh back to their families. Show the entire world that the nation of Iran is fair-minded and generous in how they deal with this situation. As the very least, please allow them to have contact with their families, who have done no wrong, and are suffering greatly. P. Powell: These are young people who had no intention of doing harm while on a hiking vacation. They did not intend to enter Iran. Thank you for your consideration and kindness. Anna Ryder: Please show compassion Adriann Leveille Anonymous: FREE THESE PEOPLE NOW!!! Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS! Negotiate!!Heck where's the proof THEY even crossed the line!! Juan: Prison is a rightful punishment for the guilty, but a wrongful form of torture for the innocent. I hope these innocent people are allowed to go home unharmed by their memories. Mela Cabayan Anonymous Hollie Davis: These are 3 innocent hikers out enjoying a hike in a beautiful country.It was a unmarked trail and they crossed into Iran on accident. Please show that you have compassion and release them to come back to there loved ones. Please release them and show that Iran will do right thing and find that it was a simple mistake and not espionage and allow them to return home. Laura-Marie Taylor: Please free them. Jack Glore Anonymous: Please do not use this innocent people as pawns. Be humane and show some compassion. Please let these hikers rejoin their families. Wicks Stephanie Clayborn: Free these young hikers, they are innocent and deserve to be sent home to their families...please. Anonymous Aaron Jeffrey: There are no red lines in real life. It's as simple as walking a few steps in the wrong direction to cross a border. Please free them, they haven't done anything wrong. Reshmi: Please free them Emily: These hikers are in my prayers. Colin Joshua Young: Charge them and show the evidence or let them go. Holding them for this long without any progression shows how ineffective and/or corrupt your justice system is. They are human beings, not pawns to try and advance your governments' objectives. Shane, Sarah and Josh, stay positive and keep your hope going. Your kidnap is deplorable, and is not being ignored or forgotten. Ray Stockdale: Free these young people, they have not caused Iran any harm so let them be. Debra A Anonymous tena dyer: free the hikers!! Rita Bates: Please let these kids come home! They committed no act of espionage, they merely crossed unknowingly into your country. This is your chance to show the world the true face of Islam. Anonymous: PLEASE FREE THESE INNOCENT HIKERS. steve bongo Viridiana M christina aikman Felix Gonzalez: Please have compassion for these three innocent hikers, release them to their loved ones, the US would not treat your citizens in this manner if the situation was reversed. R. Scott Harrison: The world is watching and hopes that Iran will demonstrate its good intentions by releasing these three hikers, who clearly mistakenly crossed the border. Thank you for showing respect and compassion, as the Quran requires. Anonymous: Even though I don't know the hikers, I feel for them and for their families and pray everyday for their release. Johnathan: Please free these innocent people. Ricardo Paniagua patricia joron Anonymous Brandon LaVan Ken Morrison: Free the Hostages now. Sacramento: I am a traveler and I know what it's like to get lost. My heart and prayers go out to you ALL. Please release them so they can join their families and go on with their lives. Emily Tousignant Ashleigh Rinkel Anonymous Jenniffer Kandyce Llewellyn Sam Joshua Landon: The fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran is detaining these innocent Americans in order to drag them into their own problems with the US is completely absurd. Tyler Doerr Emilie Smith Anonymous Elisabeth: You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Come home soon to your family and loved ones. MARK JOHNSTOBE: THERE IS NO SENSE IN THIS ,PLEASE RELEASE THEM NOW! Erin: I will be praying for their release and that they are able to contact their friends and family as soon as possible. Casey Merritt: from Headland, AL Anonymous Anonymous: we all like to live in a peacefull world. we all breathe the same air that the father in heaven has given so freely. we must all try an live peacefully with one another. if you are any kind of just person and your believe in the "Great God In Heaven" you would not hesitake in letting these kids go back to their homes. we all have made mistakes and we must ALL live in forgiveness. Anonymous Gautam R Mehta: President Ahmadinejad, Please release the hikers!!! Mojgan Alavi: Enough is enough... The world is not stupid...Stop harassing innocent people...The world is watching... edward j. bilson Anonymous Anonymous: Keep your minds clear and when you cant, keep your thoughts happy and remember that we are behind you 100%. Come Home Soon. phil: Why use civilians for disagreements between two governments? Anonymous Anonymous Joan: Please free these young people who clearly were on a journey to hike the country side--nothing more than this. They each represent love, peace, compassion and acceptance. This is an opportunity for Iran to do the right thing. Release them safely, please. Anonymous: I pray for the hikers to be set free... my prayers to the famlies. Madison, WI USA: Send them home. Anonymous Ben Boeglin: Please let them be free. Anonymous: Let them go, we won't forget them! Anonymous: We are praying for you! May you return safely soon home. We beg the authorities to please show mercy and pity. Angela D. Brown: Surely an intelligent government can see that these young people were caught up in the excitment of their vacation and beauty of their surroundings to have noticed an unmarked border. One thing that I just can't seem to understand is that if the Iranian government doesn't want travelers to cross their borders why are the borders left unmarked? Any sane person can see that this was a simple mistake that is most definetly NOT punishable by death or imprisonment for any lenghth of time. Jason: May peace inhabit the world. These hikers shall be freed! Anonymous Qness: Free these innocent people!!!!!! Justin Ryan Hardy: I pray for the release of these 3 innocent Americans. May good prevail in the decisions of the Iranian officials. I encourage the U.S. government to not allow this incident to be forgotten. Jon & amanda Burrows: please let these kids come home this is just awful Jack: Liberte os Hikers! Este world esta cheio de violence! Por favor liberte-os! adela martinez adame: Free the AMERICANS...They are not spies... Lonna Romero: You are not forgotten by so many people that are praying for you and are often thinking about you. God be with you, and let you be released! Spencer Agins: Free the hikers! Let America's children come home! Anonymous: You are in my thoughts. Good luck. Anonymous Jessica N: I am praying for you. We are all thinking of you and praying. Please free these young people, they didn't know they strayed into a dangerous territory, they were just out travelling and hiking, what all of us graduates do. Anonymous Stephen Smith: I will be praying for your freedom, the freedom of the hikers, so that they can return to their family and love ones, I will also pray that Iran will do the right thing and let them go in Jesus nam... Amen Jeffrey Steven Lux: The 3 Americans should be released. They will not be forgotten until they are released. Pamela Collman: compassion has a time frame... Anonymous Kelly Swedick: Please free the American hikers - if not for their own sake, then do so in service to Allah. â€œâ€¦ let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 24:22) Alex Rojas: Please release these people!!! Morgan Ferguson Baron Sarah Anonymous: Please free these young , adventurous travelers! They only wanted to see the world! Anonymous Macy Abdallah: enough is enough, let them come home! kevin kraft: i do hope for the safe return of these three beautiful young people! im sure god will assist in the safe return of them to the families and friends which they surely deserve once again and forever,sincerely,kevin kraft. Anonymous: We hold them in the light and pray for their safe return. Remember they are just being 'used' as a political ploy. Also remember how North Korea released the two American Jounalists this past summer. Jonathan Ward: I am friends with the family of Josh and pray to God that the Iranian government will do the right thing and safely release all three Chris Hubbard: PLEASE FREE THE HIKERS....THIS WAS AN HONEST ACCIDENT!!! Matt Hanna Anonymous: Please release these children back to their parents. I will be praying for them and their families. Anonymous: Please release these children back to their parents and families. I will keep you all in my prayers. Anonymous Anonymous: Although they crossed the border illegally, they didn't do it on purpose, and imprisoning them for something they didn't mean to do that isn't harmful is cruel and unusual. Freeing the hikers immediately will almost make up for the mistake Iran has made for imprisoning them. Anonymous: Please free these the hikers!!!! We want them back here in the USA! Anonymous: Forgivness is the virtue of the human soul. Our father has forgiven us for our sins. Iran and its people need to understand forgivness and if you dont forgive how to they expect to be forgiven for your sins. Anonymous Linda Alvelo: Please allow these innocent people a safe return home to their families. richard henderson: To the good people of the great nation of Iran, please release these good people,who were only trying to see and discover our great world. It is obvious that they were just pure travelers. Perhaps a show of faith would be in order on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran would go a long way to help and restore friendship between all nations in this day and age. Anonymous Anonymous: These are young people who went to the Middle East in an attempt to help others. They are far too young to be spies or any sort of representative of the CIA. Iran knows this and needs to let these young people return to their families. They have done nothing wrong. I know that Iranians are great people but they could show the rest of the world that this is true by letting these hikers return to their families. Regards, LM Jay Bitzer Anonymous: Free the hikers! David Marini: Please let these kids come home to their families. They are loved and missed! Robert Hearn: Look forward to seeing you back home! EBONY: I hope they free all of you soon!I am so happy somebocy is taking a stand!!!! Anis Sahuri: Shane, Sarah & Josh...be strong & have faith. Tina margulies: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh come home immediately. Blessings to you and your family, Tina Margulies Tory N Taylor: I believe that your release should be one of our governments greatest priorities. Ascension M Poler Anonymous: FREE THEM! SAMMIE PYLE Anonymous: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh they were just hiking and enjoying the beautiful country and did not realize they had traveled where they were not allowed to go. Thank you very much,Respectfully submitted, Jacklyn Tamara Sonya Amir Yazdan: I am Iranian and I must say, I am ashamed at the way the Iranian government has acted in this situation. The longer this takes, the more the world looks down on Iran. Shame on them for making their country secluded and worthless. In the world, an Iranian passport is no better than holding a passport from Somalia and that is sad. Dan Gadway: let these kids go and use their degrees Mary Artemis: I say a prayer to Allah that these children will return home to their parents. Also, that doing so will yield great healing for Iran with the US and for the world to see Iran in powerful goodness and glory. Praise Allah! Rita O'Brien: I believe in Shane, Sarah and Josh's innocence and urge the government of Iran to allow them to go back home to their families. Khanh Pham: Free these innocent people. Omowunmi Ajibola: I hope they come home soon Becca Nanci Bell Anonymous: They're just kids who love and have reverence for the amazing lands of Iraq & Iran. Keep them out of these politics and let them go home! William Miller Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Please send Sarah, Shane and Josh home. They deserve to be treated better then this. Prayers for a safe and long awaited return. Fred Zigler Anonymous: Please release them and give our world hope for peace. Anonymous Dave Richardson: This is an outrage. Sasha Rohde: please let them all come home..they deserve to be with their families and loved ones. David Garcia: Time to show your human side releasing the three detained Destinee Sapien: Show some compassion! FREE THE HIKERS! If American Goverment did this to Iran people they would want the same compassion! The three young people and their families are in my prayers. A Kristen Braia Pat Sheil: Please free these young people who obviously love the world and all it's people, including Iran. As they have traveled the world and are obviously compassionate and giving students, their immediate release would be the only answer to this situation. These are kids who seem to love life and others and made a unfortunate mistake wandering too far. Please release them and renew our faith in Iran that we can have peaceful relations together. Peace, love and prayers to Shane, Sarah and Josh. Come home soom... Sean Switzer: Please free these innocent and scared hikers. Anonymous Kate J.: Please show compassion, kindness and forgiveness by allowing these three young people ro return home to the United States. This could only help international relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other countries. Actions say much more than words ever could. Show you support human rights by releasing our brothers and sister. MARIA TYLER: Praying for the safe return of Shane, Sarah and Josh who were lost. Please let them find their way home. Anonymous Anonymous: We are with them all the way. Laura Sandham Melissa Lewellyn Ginny Wheeler: Please send Shane, Sarah and Josh safely home to America! sophie revel: for peace Anonymous: Lets get these people back home! April Kater: Free the hikers!! Anonymous: please release them immediately!!! Jessica: Let them come home. They didn't do anything wrong. Kelly Bartlett: Send these kids home. They have done nothing wrong, and it is only making Iran look bad. Anonymous Christa: They are innocent. Bring them home where they belong. Louise Pope Cottle: We are begging you to release these three, they gave not done anything wrong, they need to come back home and be with their families. Our God is an Awesome God, and He is watching over these three, and God is protecting them LORI TISHGART: Please know that we all live in a very sophisticated world today and can appreciate all sides to a story but, at the same time, see all "angles" to a story and therefore the world is not as easily fooled as a few men. The world is watching and can and will judge. Please do not forget that Iran itself is now, prefer it or not, a part of this world and a respected and honored part of this Earth. Forget the publicity sham, you might be fooling a few old men but not the world. Anonymous: Please send our young people home! Alan Fox: Please Send the safe return of Sarah, Shane, and Josh. I can tell by looking at them they meant no harm to you or your country only looking for adventure. Free the hikers. Diane H: Please allow these kids to come home Annie Falch: Send these brave adventurers home! sharon padilla: Please don't use these people to make your political point that has nothing to do with them! Anonymous: Dear Iran - We're sorry. So now can you PLEASE free Sarah, Josh and Shane. Let us bring them home! Anonymous Anonymous: Please understand that these are private citizens of the U.S. who have no involvement with the decisions of their government. Please do not deprive their families of them over political or other disputes. Katie Phillips Laura Guerrero: Please release these innocent people! They mean no harm to your country! May God be with them!! Andrew: The United States needs to be firmer with Iran, keeping our young Americans captive like this is absurd. Anonymous: get them out of there!!! Andreas Frankenschmidt Joe Willens Joey fengming yang: no fun to use civilians as political card Anonymous Anonymous Eddie: I just recently learned about these poor individuals and my support goes out to them and their families/loved ones. I will spread the word in hopes to gain more supporters. dayanira: I really really hope this works, i just heard and it's awful Shannon Ford: Peace, Love, and Respect Ray Ybarra: I am praying for all of you. SomeOneThatLovesOurAmericans: Please send our Americans home! Sarah, Shane and Josh are under the wings of Gods Angels " You " can't harm them... Just remember God is watching " You " and your " Country "!!!! Who ever does harm to Them will Pay in the End! Please again, Send our Children home! All Prayers go out to the Family's and our Americans!!! " Sarah, Shane and Josh " Debra Ackerman: Please send these children home to their families, create peace and good will, It will be appricated.. thank you Anonymous Carrie: I am begging for the release of the hikers, please free them, this is not a way to get back at the United States. These are innocent people that meant no harm. I will keep these hikers and their families in my prayers for a swift and safe return! Anonymous Anonymous: Hope ya get back soon! safely of course. Peter Smith: Please allow them to return home to the US. Anonymous: Free these 3 innocent people today.God guide them home safely. Ben Roth Anders Broste: It is sad that one can not travel the earth freely without fear of capture or worse. It is even more unsettling that you hear of case were people who are simply traveling to see the world and experice it are dragged into political disputes that have nothing to do with them expect by connect of were they originally came from. To the people of the world, open your minds and our hearts. Please! Release the hikers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Brian Hotchkiss: Using innocent people for your political gain is not going to make your country look any better than any other terrorist group. Will Micha Sanders: What a world we live in. 2009 and we still haven't learned from our past. I admire these travelers for wanting to experience the world and meet people of different cultures. Please set them free... zahrudin seferagic: let them go to their families as you would want to if you were in their shoes. Alex Clark David Nabavi kathy aubrey: My prayers are with the families and the hikers. Anonymous Rev Dr Ronnie Roy Sr.: I appeal to Iran's leaders to do the right moral thing and release these 3 young people, and not to use them as pawns as a global chest match. You can gain world empathy for your nation, by releasing these 3 young people. And throw the court of judgment back on America for their sanctions by doing such. While also gaining world opinion to your side. A whole lot more to gain for Iran by releasing them, than keeping them. Anonymous Anonymous Kimi T.: Free The Hikers! Anonymous: Please free the hikers. Give Peace a Chance. Daniela Ferguson Bessie S. Hill: If President Clinton can go to North Korea to free the two American female journalist because Al Gore asked him too then he has set the way for him to do the same for other illegally seized Americans. I hope Clinton and Gore remember that justice in America is for all citizens, not just for the rich and famous. Contact Clinton and Gore and communicate to them to use their influence for these hikers just as they did for the journalists. Hema Somai Melissa: Please allow Sarah, Josh, and Shane to return home to America. They made an honest mistake and accidentally entered the Islamic Republic of Iran. We ask that you please understand that they did not enter your country intentionally, and if they are allowed to go free, this kind gesture will show the world you truly do have compassion for humanity. Max Downen: I hope action is taken on this matter sooner rather than later. This is unacceptable. Chris Barton: Josh, Sarah and Shane were merely lost in their travels...please let these three innocent Humans go free! Martin Sunny: Free them please! Why is the Iranian goverment so barbaric and backwards in their ways of living, thinking and acting Mike w: No one gets left behind Michelle L. Drummond keith collins: God bless and keep the hikers. hang in there: let them go! Mike w: No one gets left behind Michele Noonan Audrey Brannon: It is time for these people to come home. Please, Iran do the right thing...Free the Hikers. Sending positive vibes to the hikers and their families. Fatimah (Kandy L): Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Rahim, Please free the hikers. Aurora: Iran you MUST let them go. Don't keep them from their families. This message is for Shane, Sarah and Josh stay strong, positive and know a lot of people are praying for your safe return back home. Anonymous: Send them home! Patricia Doggett: I will keep them in my prayers til they get home safe!! Anonymous Rose Mari: Sarah, Shane & Josh, hang in there...I'm praying the Iranian government will do the right thing and release you ASAP. Will Beedie: I hope for their safe return soon and Iâ€™m praying for them. Anonymous: Spread Peace and Love Worldwide Kennedy: When in Rome... Do as the Romans do. Our prayers are with you and your families Jorge: Release them! Anonymous: I realize that these 3 citizens of America made a mistake and crossed a border they shouldn't have. It was an accident. They are not spies. Please release them back to their families and loved ones. Please show compassion. Thank you for listening. Anonymous: This is a grave misunderstanding. Free the hikers! Noreen Ramsden: Let these young people go home - it is the right thing to do! Tom Krausse: To the Iranian Government. As the North Koreans found out with the two U.S. Journalists who accidentally got lost within North Korean it is smarter for public relations sake to release these types of individuals rather than hold onto them for political reasons. You usually get world opinion on your side and then you can ask why the U.S. Government has not lifted the trade sanctions against your nation since it is hurting your country economically. Better to be on the positive side rather than the negative side. I am sure the World would love to start a meaningful dialog with your government over how to better the welfare of your people. Please free these younger hikers. Thank you. Anonymous: My heart goes out to you and your family. Sarah is a very strong woman and we hope she comes home safely. Iran is using americans as a political game. Briana Fagan: My thoughts are with Sarah, Josh and Shane. I know they'll come home safe. It was an accident and the Iranian government should realize this. The United States government needs to work harder to bring them home. It's unfair that even one American should be held prisoner for a mistake, let alone three. Show your power and bring them home, Obama. Daniel Hudson: Psalm 69 - 22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and [a] a trap. 23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. 24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. 25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. 28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. 29 I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me. Katharina: May God keep you safe and return you safely back to your family and friends soon. Anonymous John: Any country that has the slightest bit of decency left would not use civilians to play political power games. These hikers were captured by the Iranian government in the hopes of making prisioner exchanges since Iran believes the US has some of their diplomats in captivity. To make innocent civilians pawns of a political game is uncivilized, cowardly and lacking the most basic respect for individual freedoms. The actions of the government of Iran will determine whether the world has another reason to hate them or a reason for hope. Lindsay: Here's to hoping you guys come home safe! Go Bears! Anonymous: Please release Sarah, Josh and Shane. My prayers are with you and know that you will return home safely. Lisa Burgess: Please, Please let them go. This is absolutely appaling Dbartley: how can u expect compassion when u don't show it Kelly Stout: They are in my prayers, and I pray for their SAFE return SOON !!!! Anonymous: May God bless you all. I wish you a safe return home. Alicia: Im praying for u all stay strong Anonymous: Let them go. Joshua Shrader: This is just another example of how todays world is its ugly. They need to be freed and Iran needs to really reconsider trying to charge U.S. citizens with espionage... Sunni: Please allow these innocent adventurers to return home. Anonymous: There is no way for the Iranian authorities to confuse Shane, Sarah and Josh with spies. I hope that the Iranians will be big about this and realease them, inshallah. Redwood Mary: There is a MIRROR hereâ€”the Mirror of Ideologyâ€”any Ideology is an adherence to a set of ideas of conformity created by the human intellect and is just HUMAN created systems of abstract thought applied to public matters and thus makes this concept central to politics and control of others. To drag in 3 hikers into a political religious Nation in controversy is the antithesis of fostering the Loving and Compassionate and non-violent world that we all aspire to. When ANY religion, nation or ideology or self proclaimed or elected leader excuses and justifies ANY violence used to serve its own political ideology and then brazenly states it is in the name of their God or a nation we all should rise up with deeper compassion and non-violence and exclaim how hideous and violent that such an ego based in fear is allowed to control others. Shame on any man or woman or govt. or country or people who claim that violence is justified. Humanity now has a precious opportunity to create a new, saner, more loving world. The ideology and consciousness of war and religions and politics and hatreds that are kept fueled by stories of the need for war and religions and politics and hatreds and "the other" has destroyed and keeps destroying Heaven on Earth. We ARE All responsible to Free all of us from the hell on earth created by self proclaimed religious and political ideologies that put our children and this amazing planet earth in harms' way of bullets and hatreds and greed for power and control ( over minds, people, or resources) . Free the Hikers â€“ free the madness and the collective egoic dysfunction that hold us all hostage and away from the power of Love and Compassion. Love will can not be held hostage for Love is the power and way and no human prison can destroy the power of love. We are unfortunately witnessing ALL over the planet the worst of the obsolete behavior patterns of Humanity's fear based and scarcity based belief systems. We have in our power to give up the path of imprisoning each other, beheading each other and using guns and bombs and blaming and zealous self righteousness and control of people, places and natural resources. We can instead embrace gratitude and kindness and forgiveness and sharing and healing and act like true spiritual beings that we truly are. Peace on Earth is up to usâ€”EACH OF US --and it is those who are humble and joyful, that will lead and not those that proclaim that their way is supreme. The ONLY REVOLUTION that we need on this planet is to stop creating MISERY for each other. Each and every human being CAN take off their BLINDERS and recognize and revere the Divinity within every other soul and offers each other care and compassion. Every peaceful prophet that walked this earth and that tried to teach us this has been replaced with the loud forceful mean and brutal ways of grandiose ideologues. Power over others is weakness disguised as strength. What has this all to do with the three hikers held by IRAN? Think deeply-- â€”this is another opportunity- To Change â€“ to stop the insanity and to walk another path- Unfortunately three hikers have hiked into a dynamic that they are not part of and that is being forced upon them. This is only one of thousands of scenarios happening on our planet earth daily and where there is an opportunity to change -- to stop the need to create an "other" in order to justify "enemies". This happens to be an instance that is internationally focused-- FYI: "Icannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life. I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always." Mahatma Gandhi Mario Perez: Free the Hikers, Do not take them hostage for you own cause. Anonymous: These young people should not be detained further. Anonymous: It's a very long distance from KY, USA to the darkness of the imprisonment of three young American hikers. It is impossible to fathom the depth of love from friends and families who wait in their own deep darkness. But there is still the pinpoint light of hope. The scope of prayer to God is an even greater mystery, but after more tan thirty years as a pastor and another decade and one-half in the shadow of a tumor in my brain stem, I can tell you emphatically, that God works in dimensions unknown and unseen to us. My first brain surgery was based on an error in diagnosis of the brain tumor. The first surgery and consequential radiation treatments did major damage to my right side, my ears and my teeth. After three years of continuous damage and gradual worsening; I went to M.D. Anderson Cancer in Houston, TX. After a series of tests and examination, I was told they thought they could help me. The surgery that followed removed a benign tumor. Though the damage could not be reversed, I came home and have experienced proof that God works in ways we just cannot see. I had been told in 1995 that I would die within six months. My reply was simple; "You don't make that decision." Fourteen years later, I continue to reach out to others and emphasize: Never give up. There is always hope. I apologize for the length of my comment, but it literally demonstrates that the hope is still alive. God will have the final word. Regardless, we can trust the lighted candle of hope. We can trust. Brandon Wilson Robert Murray Roman Zylawy: Please show that the Moslem Religion has a compassionate aspect in its beliefs by releasing these innocent young people. Thank you. Erika Himmelberger: Sending my prayers to you from Massachusetts and hope for your safe return home. Lacey: Free them. Prayers out to family and the three!hope yall return home safe and soon. good luck MICHAEL BRAITHWAITE: PLEASE, LET THEM GO! MY EDUCATION IS SHINING THROUGH THIS SIGNATURE. I AM A 23 YEAR OLD ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE STUDENT WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH WHAT THEY HAVE AS WELL. I WOULD,NOT WISH THIS ON MY OWN WORST ENEMY. Anonymous: PRAYING FOR YOU SAFE AND SOON RETURN GOD HIMSELF BE WITH YOU! Gomez Family Vicki Mason: Hoping for their safe return. Colton Brooks: Praying for all of you! Karolyn herrera MinnieB9: It's hard to understand why these 3 were even in Kurdistan, but if they were and wandered into Iran, that much is easy to understand. The Iran government should take it as a favor they wandered in. This may be your chance to reach out and do something nice. Try not to be your usual extreme and paranoid selves, call somebody cute and affable from the USA or Europe to broker the deal and fly them home like you did for the British hostages. Really, come on, its about time, in fact, way over time. Stephen Daniels Ivria Ben-Or: It is with the great appreciation for culture that these three individuals were exploring the countryside of foreign lands. Be kind & true in your hearts that enemies they are not. Lisa Lopez Anonymous: These are good people. Please do not continute in allowing an ideology or political agenda to become more important than human life. Douglas Stolls Eric Snow Micha: Iran should not be using innocent people as pawns. Mohammad Asraei: as Persian i am just sorry ! Ben k Anonymous Karen Gal-Or Anonymous: Please send our Citizens home. don: Thank you for releasing these hikers. Edward Montoya Jr ROBERT D. WILLIAMS: CHANGE A HEART AND YOU HAVE CHANGED A MIND, GOD AND HIS SON JESUS ARE UPON US MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THIS. I PRAY FOR ALL OF HUMANITY THAT HEARTS CAN AND WILL BE CHANGED. GOD BLESS THESE HIKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND MAY THEY KEEP YOU CLOSE. Vincent van Hessen: Three young people are being used. These young people are being falsely accused of one the most convenient crimes one could be accused of, that of espionage. I say: Let Sarah, Josh and Shane go, and stop this pathetic sherade. ben sitter James Abrams: free immediately Mesfin: Release them, now!!!! SERGIO COZAR Yasmine Delvaux Benjamin Frimmer: I do not believe it to be legal, ethical or even moral to fail to mark the borders of your country, and then imprison those who accidentally cross it. Patrick McKittrick Renee Michelle Alexander: These people have been recognized for their incredible talent to convey the suffering of people that are ignored and they bring light and recognition in order to help those that need the help with basic necessities. I don't believe putting them in jail is rational after seeing the absolutely moving pictures they have taken. If you are not moved by these images then you are ignoring the simple truth of the sincere help and they bring and do not wish to bring help to those thatdesire need it. Anonymous: It was probaply not the best decision to hike in that area but being detained for so long is punishment enough. Free the kids. They will not be forgotten. - Germany Alicia Hathcock: This is wrong & hopefully, they will be released soon. Rachael Dizard Kimberly Schott: Please free these people. They have families who love them. They obviously are americans who wanted to learn more about your culture. I believe it was an accident that they crossed the boarder. Please let them come home. Holly E. Glenn Anonymous Nick Durda Anonymous: This is outrageous and heartbreaking! They have no business being detained. Millie Gregor Anonymous: Please free these people. Using innocent people as a political bargaining tool is wrong. I'm sure they will never go to the middle east again. I will never travel in this area of the world for this reason. You never know when they will choose to make an example of you and use you as a bargaining tool. This is just another reason not to trust Iran. Anonymous Jaime Hays Dan Pfeiffer Elise Wiedre Kirsten Nilba Melo James: Let them home! Pam Murrow Michelle Kline Dori Eisenhauer Anonymous: keep looking up Hailey Moore Anna Greenstone Anonymous Rachel Jones christina burnham Ashley Crawford: Please let them come home! I believe they are innocent and crossed the border purely by accident. They have families at home who at the very least deserve to hear from them. Michelle Weiner Christi Castle: Please let them go! Linda Sheddrick: These are three innocent young people who were enjoying life and accidently wandered into Iranian territory. They are not spies and I am sure that the Iranian government knows this. Please Iran, let down your barriers and look very, very deep into your heart and soul (I know that you have both because you are human as well)and see it as the right thing to do to release these young people so that they may return to American soil and their families. Human life is a gift to all of us. We are not meant to be used as bargaining tools. Please release them. I continue to pray for Sarah, Shane, Josh, family and friends, and for the Iranian government. God is with us. Anonymous Paula Vanlandingham: Please free these three and give them back to their country. Please allow contact with family members ASAP. These mothers need verbal contact. Nikki Aliza Rudavsky Benjamin Greenstone Mordechai Gal-Or Anonymous Helena Snapp: I really dont know what to say we have three beautiful lives here that are not able to make a difference the way they wished too and I hope with all of your heart that you will let them go. Penny Deri Collingwood Clifford Levine: It is important that the freedom of the hikers is brought up at every encounter with Iran John C. Taylor: please send our brothers and sister home to us! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Free the hikers! Catherine Norris Jeffrey Barlekamp Janis: American Hikers are just not interested in causing problems for Iran. We have respect for other cultures and religious beliefs. It is how we think as Americans. Please free the hikers! Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS !!!!!!!!!! I'm sure it was an honest mistake crossing the border. Christopher Coyan Lee Jude Graham: President Obama, negotiate their release. Thank you. Erin Kennedy: Free the hikers and ensure they return to their homes, families and lives before this frightening debacle occurred and further damage, on any level, is done. Gary Brandt Pam Reber Dean Hatfield Micheal Hatfield Kenneth M Roberts Valerie Rocco Anonymous: Please send these kids home. Tiffany Smith: My heart goes out to the hikers and their families. Anonymous: Please let them go home. Lisa Watson: Please send these hikers home to their families and loved ones.. Anonymous: These individuals obviously have a tremendous amount of respect for other countries & their cultures; or they would not be across the world helping out & educating others. It is quite apparent they were just trying to enjoy their time off & accidently ventured too far... they DO NOT deserve to be in jail for a accident. RELEASE THE HIKERS!!! RELEASE THE HIKERS!!! Sarah Taylor SUSAN MCGINLEY JPM: Time to bring these people home for the holidays; they have done nothing wrong. Len Krouner: Dear Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Whatever you think you are gaining by imprisoning hikers from the United States or any other foreign country you are losing in world opinion. There are plenty of illegal Iranian citizens in the U.S. and we don't imprison them. In fact many are allowed to open and run businesses. Why not show the world you have made some progress since your country took hostages when Jimmy Carter was President ? Melissa Breed Ronen Gal-Or Anonymous Monica Corcoran: PlEASE FREE THE HIKERS? Kendra Rubinfeld: Please free these innocent people. coretta: My prayers are with you and your loved ones. Believe and they shall be set free! Ali Gharibi: As a persian,I just hope all of us live in peace and happiness! Deserai Stomberg Anonymous Sorell Negro Moira McCarthy Jennifer Benson: I hope that they come home soon and safely. Loren: Please set our fellow Americans FREE!!!! Thank you Pat Curnutt Moore Vonnie: Please demonstrate your highest moral character by freeing Shane, Sarah and Josh. Thank you! Anonymous: Those three have a lot of courage to be anywhere near that area just for a beautiful waterfall. Not everyone is as loving, kind and warm hearted as those three and their families. God Bless to them and to their families! Anonymous: Let us pray they will be returned to their families soonest Tris C.: What crime have they committed? If no crime, release them please. Jessica Mayo Anonymous Jen Clarke Seirah R.: Divine protection and guidance to them and their families Anonymous: Let them come home! Lauren DiVincenzo Sonya Wedin: We believe they will be set free and they will. That is the law of attraction, so be it. As Einsten said, "Your imagination is the preview of the comming attractions of your life." Their imaginations are to be free and that is the comming attraction of their lives -- freedom. Clem: Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran: You are diminished by your cruelty. sheri henderson: Please have mercy and free the hikers. Sarah Anderson Anonymous Karen Ortiz: Please believe you are in my prayers nightly. As a mother of two daughters and Nana to four granddaughters, I pray you will be released soon, like today. I hope you find some way to make the long days pass, maybe think of all the good times you have had and will continue to havew with your family and freinds. Dream of holiday celebrations. Keep you spirits up, we as Americans never give up. Say some prayers. My motto in life is "What does not kill you, will make you stronger." My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families and freinds. Sincerely, Karen Ortiz Becki: Please lets all live in peace. iman: im persian and im so sorry about this.they didn,t do anything wrong they are just tourisms.they have to let them go.real persian love all the people all around the world but our goverment are not persian they are terorist they get us prisioner too we live in big prison in iran. Anita Baudoin Melissa Mason: Each and every person on this beautiful planet desires peace, love, and compassion. The very act of hiking is to see awesome landscapes and breathe fresh air. There is no malice while hiking, only a nature lover hikes and is humbled by beauty. As a mom, please return these young people to their families. Thank you! Theresa Mitford: The Government of the Islamin Republic of Iran. Jesus loves you. Free our children. Your punishment inflicted in retaliation on Shane, Sarah, and Josh is not the answer to your Government's issues. Gary Anderson Shawn Higdem Shelley Tupy maziar: free Iran, they detention us for 30 years Paige Keeley: Let us pray that they will be free and be home safe and sound for the holidays. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your families. Sheila Kubes Caroline Hall-Eastman Randall Lucas: Please allow the greatest commandment ever given to prevail, Love your God Jehovah with your whole heart, mind, and soul. The scond greatest commandment is to love you neighbor as yourself! Matthew 22:38 Jill Moreland Tana Walerius Cindy Hill Ed Higgin Dick & Toots Wiggin Barb & Dave Willemssen Donna Brown JULIO ROQUE: I ASKED GOD FOR SARAH, SHANE AND JOSH TO BE RELEASE AND THEY WILL BE PRETTY SOON. St Mary Nick Eiden Staci & Dustin Andrea Kristin DuVal: Please allow a fair trial so that Shane, Sarah and Josh can explain themselves with legal and fair representation. Have mercy on courageous explorers - these are the type of people the world needs more of. Paul & Diane Schoenbauer Karla & Rodney Vivant Terrie & Joe Adams Andrew Schoenbauer Jacque Bittner Jessica Cooper Marie Jonas Adam Cooper Molly Hennen Terri Rodriquez: Please show Iran's kindness to the world by letting these hikers go. You tell the world you are a peaceful nation so please demonstrate this by releasing them as an act of kindness. The world will be watching. Jamie Cormani Julianne McCaughey: Dear Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, When you free Shane, Sarah, and Josh you will be offering hope to their lives and their familes and the WORLD will hear about it! NO ONE will stop waiting for your very important gesture of kindness. Nadia Mary Kelly Hall: Please release the hikers Falah Abdulbaqi: Please free these innocent people because I know you guys are Muslims and as real Muslims we believe in peace, Mercy and forgiveness as part of our religion and our daily life. Mohkam: I am from Iran and I hope these 3 hikers get free as soooooooon as possible. Max John Brooks laure carnahan Pam Sheridan Anonymous Ellen Chung leah Marsha Herrin: Please free these innocent people. C Moneta Anonymous: Stay strong, Sarah, Shane and Josh. The world knows you are pawns in a political game. I and many others are praying for you, and I hope you will soon read these words yourselves. Anonymous: THE U.S. ALLOWS THOUSANDS OF IRANIANS THE FREEDOM & PRIVILGE TO LIVE IN PEACE IN OUR COUNTRY. THEY HAVE COMMITTED NO CRIMES, THEY WERE MERELY ADMIRING THE BEAUTY AROUND THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN TORTURED ENOUGH-LET THEM GO! Anonymous Yulia Anonymous Anonymous Cloudy E Bongwater Julie: â€œAnyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.â€ herb & barbara hantman Cecelia Putnam: Sending Shane,Sarah and Josh hope,hugs and smiles that they may be released and come home very soon.Pray they return to their families healthy and safely. :) Anonymous THE LOERA FAMILY ellen esquivel: My heart goes out to these courageous young people and their families. I do not know them personally but everything I have read indicates they truely care about all peoples and how we treat each other. May their and their families spirits remain strong and may they be home safe soon. JUDY: PLEASE LET THE HIKERS GO! Anonymous: Let them go! Anonymous: Please, these are not activists, just tourists. There is no reason to detain them further. Think of your children and relatives, if they were being detained, wouldn't you want them released? John Heckman: When I knew Shane he was always a caring and compassionate young boy, highly intelligent and very strong with his moral conviction. He cared deeply for all people and had a thirst to learn and make a difference in people's lives. It has been years since I have talked to him but I want him and his family to know he is in our thoughts and prayers. Heckman Family Mary Matino Anonymous: hope the hikers get released Janet & Dennis Furby: Please demonstrate loving kindness and understanding by releasing these young Americans to continue their lives. Inshallah! Daniel Siedman Clary: Please allow these families the opportunity for their children to come home. Let Sarah, Josh and Shane free. Senor bendice a estos jovenes y protegelos de todo mal, dale fortaleza para enfrentar las injusticias del mundo. Sharon Myers: Please free the hikers Jilla Carpey: Free Josh and his friends Amy Yeager: Free the Hikers Max Horn: Come Home Joel Grubman: See you soon! Troy McLeon: Free Josh Dave Posmontier: Free the Hikers Deborah Posmontier: Free the Hikers Lowell Booth: Free the Hikers Mark Kaplan Maureen Quinn: Free the Hikers Elsa Tarantal: Please Free the Hikers Stever Tarantal: Free Josh, Shane and Sarah Lee Wendkos Karon Wendkos: Free Josh Liz West Jane Siegel: Let's all live in peace Steve Oldham Barbara Gorman: My heart goes out to Shane, Sarah and Josh and to the family and friends who anxiously await news of them. They should be at least allowed to speak to them and see them. I would ask the Iranian government to show compassion and forgiveness for an honest mistake and release them now! Alan Greenberg: Free the three of them! Lynn Oxenberg John and Melissa Douglas Bates Mandel: Free Josh, Shane and Josh Peter Bryan Garcia Carol Ventura: Free the Hikers Ethan Asan: Free the Hikers Karen Schloss Anonymous: Their captivity puts pain in the heart of every caring world citizen Ricky Silverman: Home...soon Stephen Goldberg: Free the Hikers Eileen Steinberg: LET THEM GO! Jill R. Vance: Let the hikers come home . Anonymous: these are Americans.. Can't anyone help these people? Shelaney Beth Sachnoff Anonymous Anonymous: Hoping the hikers will be released soon. Anonymous: I am thinking and praying for each of them. May God bless them and their families. Anonymous: Please do not let politics come before the lives of decent human beings. These young people may have strayed accidentally into your country. I would have loved to visit Iran because of its marvellous history. Not any more if this is the way you treat your visitors. Show some compassion and let them go home. Courtney Black Anonymous: Let them go home! Anonymous: Please, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, I know that all it takes is just one word from you and these hikers will be set free. Allow us to enjoy their company during this Holiday Season. Thank you. William Hay bronwyn fenton jerry guaglianone: Free these innocent American civilians now!! harry greenberg: This is a ploy by the Iranians to distract from other more important issues. It is a complete sham and a tragedy-If they had any inkling (which they must) of whom they are holding, (people open to building bridges between the Arab world and the West, it makes no sense whatsoever. i hope they are released soon. Anonymous Edwin Negron: May God be with these young individuals and there families and I pray for there safe return (AMEN) Anonymous: please free them to come back to their homes and family! Allison Clark: Free the hikers, give them their lives back Annemarie Alwin: God Bless You!! Let's get these kids home for the Holidays Lynn Carlson: Please let logic prevail and free the hikers robin: please let them come home Anonymous Jeanne Seaver Anonymous paul.esparza.andalon@gmail.com: Los Angeles is praying for all of you to come home. Chong Family: God Bless! Jonathan Davidson Karen Pulliam: Praying for their quick, safe return home. John Duffy Euna Lee: Please have compassion and allow Shane, Sarah and Josh to be reunited with their families. Chelsea Solognier Andrea Hyatt: Please send these hikers home to their families. Sara Norris Alanna Okun HJ Kinney Karen Chen Anonymous paige orr: Godspeed on the safe return of Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Donna Levy: Compassion is a main tenent of the Islamic religion - Shane, Sarah and Josh are waiting for your compassion as are their families and all of us who pray for safe return home Sepehr: ????? ???? ??? -?? ?????? ?? ???????? Freedom for all, either Iranian or American ?? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ????? We are deeply concern about the mental and physical health of all detained civilians in Iran ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ??????? Lets ask their freedom via the miracle of the art Sarah Davidson Jeffrey A. Miles: Gods speed to all. Mitra Savar: As an Iranian, I feel ashamed of the actions that Iranian government is taking against humanity. Please don't judge the people with the actions of government. Our hospitality and love of people has a long history. I wish for the immediate release of all three hikers soon, so they can have a wonderful holiday season with their loved ones. Sarah Surprenant Carla S Rogers Kirsten Dickinson: Free the hikers! Anonymous Jonathan Hart: Please consider the compassionate work of these three and release them so they can continue to make a difference. Anonymous: God Bless them!! Anonymous: Never give up. Suanne Humbert: What would Allah have you do? Please free these young people and let them return to their families and country. Melissa W. Jessica Joanie Farmer Anonymous: May God bless them with a safe return home! Anonymous: Hope everyone makes it home safe Kimberly Muhlhauser Jen Edwards Robert Headtke: Please free the hikers and send these innocent people home to their families and loved ones. Nicole Primett: We need to keep peace to many horrible things in the world Amanda C. Rubio Roland dupree: Iran should be a real adult conutry and stop playing games with innocent citizens. Not withstanding it was incredibly dumb of those guys to take the chance they did by going so close to the Iran border. People should know that international politics is always looking for pawns. Brett Baldschun: Let them GO! Shanon Pretel Rob Feeny: Shameful treatment of people trying to learn more about the world... Lynnette Brawer Lua Hadar: Do not use human beings as bargaining chips. The world is watching. Lindsay Smith Tom Adams: I pray for their release in the mighty name of Jesus. Jennifer Plancarte Sarah Ruby Sadjad Soltanzadeh Meredith Randy Haukom: Imagine them as your children or brother os sister. Please send them home. Brandi Winter Misti English: FREE THEM Anonymous Tina Proveaux: To The Govt of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Investigate further and you will find that these people are innocent! You may not think so but the world is watching with interest and sympathy for Shane, Sarah and Josh. Derek Trygstad: We all know that they are innocent of the charges against them. I earnestly hope that they join Maziar Bahari and others who were eventually released by Iran after their alleged crimes were exposed as the forgeries that they were. Every American should be getting involved in this. Anonymous: Use this opportunity to prove that Islam is peaceful. Leah Jakaitis Anonymous Mohamed Sherif: For the sake of ALLAH, please release Shane,Sarah and Josh. Anonymous Lynn Koch: Please show compassion & goodwill and let these young people return to their loved ones. Jeanne Rozman Kaveh Pouladin: Please do not use these three young people as pawns in your standoff against the U.S. Greg Duggan Phil Matsuhashi: Let my people Gooooo Anonymous Jeremy Ostergaard Nicole: Please free the hikers! Jordan Sabot: FREE THE HIKERS!!! Lori John Smith debi: my prayers are with you all to come home soon. D. Gwenn Bolt Stephen Smith Anonymous: FREE THESE PEOPLE! lisa Damico Heather Brunner: The usa should just tell them to send them kids home or we will be coming in to bring them home that is the buttom line. Joshua Brunner: It must be hard having someone over seas and held so they can't come home... Anonymous Jessica Solis: It is scary to think that it could have been any of us. My heart goes out to these people and their famlies, I will continue to have them in my prayers and hope for their release. Gavin Smith: BRING THEM HOME SAFE! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Zach Gentile: BRING THEM BOYS HOME! Clara Ra: Peace be with you! Anonymous Katherine Gunn Leslie Marie Cannon: Please free Josh, Sarah and Shane. Let them come home to their families. Anonymous Anonymous Carla R.M. Yowell Jaclyn Murray: Please show your humanity and compassion by releasing these three innocent people. You, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, have the opportunity to rise to the occasion and fix this situation. Their families are hurting and the American people are saddened and outraged. Please make the right choice. Anonymous rebecca brunner: i am for peace and harmony Anonymous Steven Williams: The use of three young world citizens who made an innocent and unknowing mistake as "trade-bait" for some political reason is an incorrect move by the government of Iran. Whatever your aim, this tactic can only bring dishonor upon Iran. There must be much better ways to achieve your desired goals. Fred Dunniway Jake Lister Amillie Kayacan Lacey Donle Kathi Feltner: Release Shane, Sarah and Josh as a gesture of good will, as a testament to your faith and as a symbol of peace. Steve Williams Anonymous Anonymous Thomas Lissey Graham LePage: Surely Iran is a nation of justice. Let them go. Paul Sednaoui: FREE THE HIKERS!!!! Jemell Solomon: If you are truely a nation that wants to be understood! Then Release Shane, Sarah, and Josh. My prayers go out to the families of the 3 missing persons. Patriot Out! Anonymous Hali Hammer Anonymous Kathryn Brown Anonymous: The sympathies and prayers of my family go out to you and your loved ones. We hope and pray for a speedy end to this. Sister Frances Mary Pierson, OP: + May peace fill all our hearts and bring about a safe release of these hikers. I pray for them, their families and the people of Iran. Sarah Hall: Free the Hikers! My prayers are with you all. Come home soon! Anonymous Sarah Rich Alice Brandon lisa moser: they need to be with ther family Sara Schulte Mark Gunnery Anonymous: Please reach deep for compassion and release these innocent young adults thank you Betsy Reilly Alex Sara Pace: We are praying for you everyday! God is with you... Barbara Gates: Do not lose hope. Keep faith and know that prayers and love will bring you home. James Westerfield: Somebody go get these young people by whatever means required. Michelle Wassenaar: I admire their courage and curiousity about the world and I am saddened that it is not always a safe place for free spirits to roam. Margaret Kelly: Please let them return home!! Lana Ernest: These are innocent people. The Iranian government should release them immediately. Anonymous: Please release these people immediately. Take a moment and think of what it would be like if your son or, daughter left Iran to visit a beautiful, scenic country and then they were kidnapped/arrested. You would do everything in your power to speak to your children. You would do everything in your power to see their release. We know that just a nod from your head, would allow them to be freed and sent home to their parents and the people that love them. No matter the ideology, no matter the religion, it all comes down to this; compassion is cherished by all and is by virtue, the greatest sign of strength. Marisa Moser Anonymous: Please release them. Bev Shichtman minnie brunner: please help to save everybody Anonymous Anonymous ginny: please let these young people come home to their families Seth Myers: Whatever the polictical gain of the detainment of these beautiful people, it is lost due to the damage to your own soul. I beg you to reunite Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal with their families. In the name of human understanding and love, please... Susan Taney: It is our prayer that Shane, Sarah & Josh would be released to their families safe & sound. Hildi Myers: May compassion fuel the release. Alexandre Bottos Anonymous Shannan Roeder Anonymous Anonymous kendra mcclarine: I will add these hikers to my prayers. This is truly an unfortunate situation. God is ultimately in control, they will be home soon. Donna J-C Gregory Lund Maria Brunet: Please let them come home!! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Send them HOME!! Geoff Parsons EKA Elizabeth Stoffer Ella Sarah Sweet Grass Myra Miller Sarah Zeitvogel Shauna: Please, Compassion and Communication Lex Hochstadt Anonymous: God help them. Eli Mellen Brian Arnold: Iran, free these hikers without delay. Melissa N: My thoughts and prayers are with them,thier family and friends.Godspeed to your safe return home. alexis villalobos: bring them home safley Ashley Hall: FREE THE HIKERS! Jaimie Ramsay Carmen M Dunnington Alan D.: God Bless...we're hopeful for your return home soon! Crusader: If Iran doesn't release these three innocent Americans, then we must send our troops there to get them! USA! Jennifer S.: Hoping for your compassion to release these hikers. Tammy W. L. Bedurftig T. Kord Gabriella A Jenn-Lee H.: My prayers are with them and their families. Anonymous: Please allow them a safe return. Margaret Davis Cynthia L Kincaid Sarah O'Neal Rob Watson: LET MY PEOPLE GO Theresa Kobisch: Prayers are with you. Elaine Hursen Mike Collins Ana Pizutelli kati stine R. Zierikzee Anonymous Kelley Lu: Please find the compassion in your hearts to release these innocent people. Melanie: Enough is enough. They did nothing wrong, but HIKE! Jon Gold Juan Ponciano Hannah Spector Anonymous Evan Boyd Mary Chant Anonymous Gunnar trygstad: Free the hikers please! Anonymous: Please allow these americans a chance to speak with their families and release them as soon as possible. They are always in thoughts and prayers! David Snipes J. Essary Andrea Young: My deepest condolences for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with each family. I know in my hear that they will be released, safe and sound. Claire Goldsbrough Anonymous Claire Graham Dak Gilinsky George B Vieto Donna J. Berkowitz Greg Campling: Innocent hikers should not be imprisoned, its barbaric Kjelene Magnell Bertrand: Their detention is at a cost of friendship with your country. Why will you not release them? What do you gain from holding them hostage? Please release them. If you release them I will promise to promote one of your business's free on my radio show! Please? Anonymous Trevor Behlman Anonymous Anonymous: After seeing this on Cnn, I was shocked. I pray for their safe return to the USA. Anonymous Chapen Hayslett: Please see it in your heart to free the three hikers. Their families and loved ones miss them terribly. Thank You. Jeff Phillips Charity B.: We're praying for your safe return. Keep the faith!!! Mohammad Abandah Derin Dacey Kathrine Elliott Kristina Gomez: Why is this not mainstream news as it should be! I hoped they are freed and would like a little more attention when our fellow Americans are being held overseas. My prayers are with you! God Bless you and your families during this time of uncertainty. They are not just your people but our people, and I as an AMERICAN, anticipate their release! Roberto Valdes Diane Chamberlain: Complete health, no harm and freedom for Shane, Sarah and Josh as soon as possible. Anonymous Anonymous Kelsey Armstrong carolina zarur: paz Brian and Rachelle Edwards: We are praying for the return of Shane, Sarah and Josh to the families before the holidays. Donna Roberts: Do unto others.... Pat Adidu: My friends and I here in Nigeria will keep a prayer altar alive for you all. Because the earth is the Lords, we declare that the earth of Iran will fight for your liberty in Jesus name. we decree your freedom. Stephanie O'Connor: please free the hikers. it was an honest mistake, let them go home to their families Erin McNamee Ylli: Free the Hikers! My prayers are with you all. Anonymous Anonymous Lynn Gentile Michael Lyons Marina Binsack Janice O'Neil: FREE THE HIKERS... they are innocent people, trying to live life... They are not spies and have been not been charges...PLEASE FREE THE HIKERS... Arn Specter: Iran, Free the Americans and show goodwill to their families, the USA and the World. As you build better relations with the West your nation will benefit by goodwill from other nations. Valerie Oviatt: By releasing these innocent people, the Iranian government could show the world that it is fair and just. Shannon Patrick Mital Anonymous Deb Purcell: Praying for the release of these innocent people! Hope Newman trisha: i hope they will get home soon; i'm thinking about them Anonymous Timothy Phillips irit Levy: let freedom ring ! Greg Stone kate booth: To walk free upon this earth is a gift from the creator to all sentient beings. No boundaries. omar musa Paige Thomas Ian Taylor: I pray that the these people holding these three will realize the compassion and empathy within their hearts. Juan George Lily Aquarian: Think of your children and how you would feel if one of them made this mistake!! These young people need to be back with their families and friends now! Jennifer Stamps Russell Blackledge: These people are entitled to due process. dawn pudwill Anonymous: I am shocked the US govt. has not done anything to help. I pray that their release will come soon. Stay strong, Keep going, It will happen. catalina Tiradoâ€“Gonzalez: Please release these innocent people. Anonymous: Only them and their families know the pain that they are going thru right know. I hope the Iranian Government let them free soon. John Norton Nicole Porter-Sarouphim Steven Blevins: Free the Hikers! My prayers are with all of you! May He give you strength and hope! Kelly: Please release these wonderful young people so they can spend the holidays at home with their families. Justin Stepney Anonymous Maria Vaz: Iran, please free the hikers. They obviously meant no ill will towards you. This was an honest mistake. We are all human. Look into your hearts and realise that they should be back home with thier family and friends. Laura Johnston Ryan Sheely SUSAN PFITZNER: THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR SHANE, SARAH, JOSH AND FAMILIES. Reena Badiani Anonymous: please our hikers home. Judy Depew Anonymous Anonymous Alisa Julie Isen Nora Seidman Gail Isen Anonymous Anonymous Jan Keith: These people mean no harm to anyone and were simply enjoying the natural beauty of the country. They have been separated from their families and continue to be held without the opportunity to contact their loved ones. Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh. People around the world are watching this situation and are hoping your government will act with compassion. Anonymous Anonymous joseph petrella Sherie Jonathan Pilch Anonymous Bill Galic Joyce mar: I am praying for their safe return. Please let them come home now. scott stapert: Be compassionate. These hikers have families just like you and seek only to better understand the world and its peoples. James Flood Kelly Gomez Yari Flores: I wish that the Iranian government would realize that this was a mistake. These three young hikers simply got lost in unfamiliar territory. Release them so that they may be with their family and friends who miss them dearly. Kristen Montalvan Shawn Stappen: Every voice matters Anonymous: Free them....Bring them home safe. David Musser Megan Fairbank Grant Glick: please free the hikers Debbie Kromer: With all due respect to your country and culture, please release these unfortunate adventures as they have meant no harm. Innocent travelers should not be held as a political ploy. Mark Kimble Mark Allen Alyssa Quinlan Eelco Jansen Maurice Chartrand: Ces personnes ne sont pas une menace pour la RÃ©publique Islamique D'Iran et doivent Ãªtre libÃ©rer dÃ¨s que possible. Jen Lewis: I hope and pray that there mothers can hug them soon. Maureen Pugh: Releasing these three young people would be a gesture of good will and compassion that all the world will see. Anonymous Rajay Kumar Stacey West-Kneeland Anonymous Tom vonGnechten Donna Thomas Susan Davis Noreen Savides Cynthia Hertzberg: I can only pray that the three will be free soon. Eric Umble Shawn Meagher Heather Fisher Lisa Hackett Anonymous: Perhaps a little compassion and charity will help to alter the poor image Iran has in the world. Scott Gibson: Its time for them to come home. Jennifer Katz: Please show mercy. Stuart Davis Adam Guinn Nick Wilkinson: I pray for their safe return home soon. Jesus be with them. Anonymous John M. Vrhovac: I ask that the Islamic Government of Iran, Grant on the grounds of Bascic Human Decency and Humanitarian Compassion the Release of the three American hikers being held. Richard Mason: Please consider the fact that these are harmless kids, they don't understand the dangers in the real world...they may be naÃ¯ve, but that should not be considered a crime. Christopher Gross Anonymous: This seems like an honest mistake! Please find it in your hearts to realize that these people pose no threat to the world and that they deserve to continue to fulfill their lives! Elissa Smith: As a mother my heart cries for you. Elissa Cara's Mom Charlene Rigdon Starla Roddan Jamie Weber rob everett Haley Velez Chris odonnell Anonymous: Please let them come back home, please. Anonymous: Please send them home Rosie Bullock Anonymous sally d Anonymous Joe Max: Please free the hikers Alyssa Reich Anonymous: What if these were your children? Your own son's or daughter. Would you have them cut off from you for crossing an invisible line, for making an innocent mistake? Please open your eyes and your hearts to the greif and pain this is causing not just to the three people you are detaining but also to the multitude of people who care about them and their plight. Do not show yourselves to be without understanding and wisdom. Send Shane, Sarah, and Josh HOME! christopher gajefski: god bless, and bring them home safe. red white and blue forever, freedom in the U.S.A Hyung Nam: I am a teacher concerned about social justice and peaceful resolution to conflicts in the Middle East. Anonymous Anonymous Ken Davis Eric Dave Larson: Free the Hikers! Rob Cavanagh: This is the chance for the Iranian government to show the world that they intend to be a civilized nation and a peaceful member of the world community. The fact that you have held them for so long and have charged them with an unfounded crime would indicate otherwise. It is God's desire for all the peoples of the Earth to learn to love one another, and to live together in peace. It is no mistake that this incident has occurred - it is God's way of giving your country a chance to show the world that it is a peaceful nation. Returning these 3 individuals to their families would strike the hearts of so many Americans who long for peace in the world, but worry about questionable nations such as Iran. Even if your intentions are ultimately hostile towards others in this world, holding these 3 gains you nothing. Returning them gains you a lot. Rob Cavanagh: This is the chance for the Iranian government to show the world that they intend to be a civilized nation and a peaceful member of the world community. The fact that you have held them for so long and have charged them with an unfounded crime would indicate otherwise. It is God's desire for all the peoples of the Earth to learn to love one another, and to live together in peace. It is no mistake that this incident has occurred - it is God's way of giving your country a chance to show the world that it is a peaceful nation. Returning these 3 individuals to their families would strike the hearts of so many Americans who long for peace in the world, but worry about questionable nations such as Iran. Even if your intentions are ultimately hostile towards others in this world, holding these 3 gains you nothing. Returning them gains you a lot. D Martinez: Keep the faith! nan grubbs Anonymous Justin Bailey Nancy Jo Taylor: Often hiking with my son we would often notice a beautiful scene a few steps away. It would be easy to step over an unmarked border line. After reading about these three fine young people it appears they saw beauty in the country of Iran and stepped too far over the line. To the Iranian Officials, please release these young adults who meant no harm to your county. MIKE HOMCHICK: these young people made a simple mistake. please release them . please show compassion on the people. thank you. John Czarnecki Jr: Their mistake was an innocent one, and as a backpacker myself, I can't imagine going on a trip and this happening to me, please free them, and to their parents, please stay strong, and I hope all can be well. Mary James Anonymous Anonymous: I just want to say that my prayers are with Shane, Sarah and Josh and I hope they at least get to have some contact with their families and I pray for their release soon. Please show compassion for these hikers as we're sure they meant no harm in any way. MARK SPAT Kenneth Anonymous Barry Dean: To the Gov.of Iran. After meeting and driveing for the mother of one of your detainees, I found a very loveing mother who is a compassionate person, as are the other families of the other detainees. These kids are only tourists who got lost on the wrong side of a line drawn on a map. Please show the world your compassion by returning these kids to their families. Marcie Dreyer: Please, Please send them HOME!!!! Paula Silva Leigh Medeiros Jane F.Wood Samuel Salfati William Lewis: These young people have dedicated their lives to peace and understanding. They are an inspiration, and representative of many young Americans I have come to know who reject the typical American and corporate lifestyle. They should be honored, not jailed. Perry Ghilarducci: Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. Chelsea Essex: God bless, and come home safe! Karen Ramsey Metcalf: Do the right thing and let these young people go home. Danny Kim Anonymous Jessica gaskamp Carrie Bolls Anonymous Laura S: Thinking of you and your families on Thanksgiving. Becky Gamache: Stay strong! Suzanne Bernard Roxanne Robinson Allison Wolcott Anonymous: These innocent people are in my thoughts. felipe: please release them, they are need it here, they should be in home they are just hickers Natalie Weiss Sara Ackerman rory white: Please free them and show that the beauty of your country's heritage, Iran and Persia, contains a beauteous element of freedom, mercy, compassion and justice. Rory White Rachel Cadman Greg Christopher: I hope the iranian government will send these travelers home since they were not trying to do anything wrong. Rose Jaeger: I beg The Iranian government to understand that these three people made an understandable mistake, and are obviously not committing unlawfull acts against the Iranians, if anything, unintentionally crossing their boarder. I hope these three are well,and that their family soon can be happily reunited. May The American government work diligently on their release. Kathy Jaeger Tomas Quezada: The will eventually be free. jonathan mcmahon Lisa Vicente: It's not fair to keep them in limbo like that - they are entitled to due process. DE DEAN Anonymous Terri Stuart: Please free these people. They need to get home to their families. Connor: The Islamic Republic is putting us at their mercy over this tragic subject. I hope these wonderful people get to come home in time for the christmas holidays. You all are in my prayers. Anonymous: Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all -Emily Dickinson Let our hope become reality. Please free Shane, Sarah, and Josh. deanne Crane Connie Stewart Valerie miriam edell: thinking of you,wishing you were with your family this thanksgiving Zakariah Reeder: A shameful display by any government to penalize innocent adventurers. Those who seek to appreciate a land for it's natural elements. Completely dissatisfactory functioning of a government to say the least. raymond Weschler Timothy Munuhe Joyce Lear freedomwanter Claudette Largess Rita Luther kristjan nielsen henni nielsen Carol Levison Anonymous: To the Republic of Iran, we ask you to please grant the release of Sara, Shane and Josh as a sign of goodwill; we all will remember the kind and compassionate gesture given to the American hikers. Lisa A Elllett: Freedom Kristi Maureen and Mark Kalscheuer: Peaceful people for a peaceful world. Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh Lynn Stoltzmann Sarah Peterson Meghan Frailey Grist: I cannot wait until you get to come home and hug tour loved ones. Take care of eachother. K. Holly Sween Anonymous Anonymous: My heart goes out to them and their family. God love them. They need to free the innocent and know they are harmless. victor clark: i pray for the health, happiness, and prosperity of everyone and that the authority in Iran will come to a peaceful decision and release these planet walkers. It's not like they were hostile invaders. Four months, for an unintentional trespass by peaceful people who bear you no harm, seems to me more than sufficient to teach them to pay more attention to boundaries in the future. God bless you and keep you safe and healthy. Cheryl Fitzgerald Carrie Reeves Anonymous Anonymous: We need people with connections to isamic world to help them. Eric Fong Martha Bullock Megan Sauter PAMELA SMITH: YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. barbara dow Joanne Hagensick Anonymous Ann Habafy lise glancy Barbara Glancy Catherine Thompson Joe Rowe: Both Iran and the US are detaining people in violation of international law and human rights. We call on both countries to answer any and all questions regarding the detainment of Sarah, Josh and Shane and all political prisoners in Iran, Guantanamo, and everywhere. paul pitkin: To the Iranian government - Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh and allow them to return home! Mark Woodlief Phil Hardy Sierra Stringfield Kathryn Delise Picard Betty Holladay Michele Howard Ann Bennett barbara schnacky Ingrid Wagner Pat McAleer elaine carter Betsy Riddell Greg Troutt: May you feel the love and compassion that all beings require and may you flourish where you can. Namaste. Marcia Meyers Maureen Farrell sheila sachs Anonymous Anonymous Cathy Spofford: Please free these 3 hikers who inadvertently crossed your borders. Diana Meckfessel Angel Fraden: Hope this helps... Maybe now you've learned your lesson. Sharon O'Malley: I plead for the release of these three innocent people and pray for their return home soon. Anonymous Kistian Escapa Jeannine Sisko: Please free these people and reunite them with their families. Tamara Campbell: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh free. These are precious children who meant no harm whatsoever. It was an accident. Please show compassion and forgiveness and set them free. Anonymous Anne Dunn Ken Hashagen: Friend of Josh Fattal, He is a good man, honest, kind.... please help bring him home safe. Thanks, Anonymous Anonymous Tom Case: please let these inocent children go. God looks over and judges those whom harm others with no cause, please let these peaceful children go home to their families. Helen McCullough mario J. Espinoza: Presidente de Iran: Deje salir en libertad a esos jovenes que ellos no tienen culpa alguna de la politica de su pais M. Brooke Robertshaw Gretchen Klosterman: My thoughts go out to you and your families in this terrible ordeal. Hope you get home safely. Kathrina Howerton: Please send our hikers home! They are in my prayers. God bless these families! Kellie Brandt Anonymous Amanda Ng: Release them! Kayla davisson Loretta Ivison: Please start to let people go who do not seem to know they did a bad thing Terry and Shari Lusignan Steven J. Morris MD: These are simply young, adventurous people. To hold them in this way is the act of an inhumane, dishonest government. The world knows these are not spies or individuals with any agenda. They should be freed immdediatley. Melissa Balmer Tonya Hayworth: We are praying for your safety and that you will return home soon. Christopher: The Iranian government sickens me. To snatch up unsuspecting persons who stray into their territory by accident and then declare them to be "spies" and nothing else is sickening and unlawful. And just recently they had the gall to take into custody several British nationals who were merely participating in a yacht race, nothing more. This has to end. Anonymous Michael Braun Hamilton Diana Gonzales: I hope and I pray that Josh, Sarah, and Shane will be returned to their families soon. I, like them love to learn about new cultures and love to travel. I know the very basics of the Iranian culture from reading and what the news feeds me. Therefore, I hope the Iranian government would prove to the world of their merciful nature. I also pray that our two countries will find peace and compassion as God intends us to live. Myrl Fisk louisa Brannon Robert Carlson Suzanne E. Proniske Robert Seitz: These FREEDOM loving people would never knowingly enter Iran. Let them come home! Darcy Alexandra Susan Lawrence: Vigils often held evenings in San Francisco since hikers detained on July 31st. Location: outside entrance at 825 Market. Everyone is welcome. arnoldo garcia Anonymous Anonymous Michelle Cherian Paul Hudson: I wish the three of them a safe, speedy return home. Richard Clark: In this day and age of enlightenment, young people who adventure, whatever their religious or political views, need all the encouragement they can get. Sailing or setting a foot across an imaginary line does not mean these young people have a hidden agenda and for them to be held for any length of time is inhuman. carla murphy Dean Lennox: There really is no point in keeping them any longer. Jennifer Bjarnason: Hope these three make it home soon. Capilano University: Representing 30 students at Capilano University in Vancouver, CANADA, please release these hikers immediately! Anonymous Jackson Straw: Just listened to Shanes mum on Radio 5 Live. I hope the iranian government do the right thing and let the hikers go. Anonymous Roger Justin Bauer Sue Dyson: My hopes and prayers are with you Shane, Sarah and Josh x Anonymous: It would be a great sign of friendly intention, if the Iranian government would show compassion and release these young people who I am sure just made an honest mistake in where they ended up on their walk. Charles McKeny: Peace, tolerance and understanding is the answer for all. Please free these young people. John walters: Good luck hope you are home soon. brooke Debra Livingston Mara Armstrong Renee Renee Mark Newman: I ask the Iranian government not to use these three people as pawns in a political game. Please let them go. James Kurts: It is my continuing prayer that God touch the hearts of the Iranian officials and cause them to do what is right and quickly release Sarah, Shane and Josh. Kyle Badaracco Stephanie Dallal Matt and Laura Kubiak Anonymous Nicole Price Travis J Munson Dan Snopkowski Anonymous: Just a fellow hiker from Kentucky wishing these 3 be set free and returned home asap. Anonymous Mark geist Stephanie Marie Tan: Compassionate best of wishes. Anonymous Anonymous: Free them, PLEASE! Anonymous: Please free these young people as soon as possible. Timothy Bennett: Prayers are with you, I myself am a avid hiker, backpacker, mountaineer, and I will NEVER give up my love of exploring the world and all that it is because of man made boundaries, racisms, hatred, ect. Praying again for your release as this is a injustice to a amazing outdoor sport and a injustice to the young people of the world. You only have one life to live... derek young: Hopefully the the positive world-wide response to the release of a yacht and crew today is a sign that we all can respect compassion shown by Iran and trust these three young people can be home soon. James D. Bell LPN: While I do not personally know these three students, I do know that their imprisonment is an insult to the civilized world. Espionage??? Give me a break!!! They are three young college students that got lost. They should be released and returned to their families forthwith, UNHARMED! Tricia Ruthe: Keep on believing! Yannick: Iran stop acting like a child! Ben Branimir Moritz Brezich: FREE them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jessica Michelle Anonymous Anonymous: I am praying for these students and for their families. May God in His mercy miraculously empower their release. Connie Foo Anonymous: The longer these young people are held for no real reason, the greater the temptation to believe that the government of Iran is using their prisoners for political purposes. Alex De Martino Alma Castillo Bonnie McGill Anonymous: Please release those kids. as a mother of twokids ages27&30 . I cannot imagine what these mothers are going through. Please please let them get back to their families for holidays. Ingrid Holloway Steve Morris: They are humans, not political bargainning chips. Jenny Galloway Mike: Please have a heart and let these innocent people come home to their families. Religion is suppose to be about love and caring for one another. So I pray that you will let them leave on the next plane out of your country and send them back home to theirs. May God bless these families in there time of need and help create peace, love, and brotherhood to all mankind!!!! Amen Stephanie Bray Jacqueline Marie Musacchio Sara Mizer Anonymous: I pray that Shane, Sarah and Josh are brought safely home soon. Natalie Rae Penny S, Freed: Please Release these young people and realize they did not intend any harm. Releasing them is the right things to do, and Iran should realize this. If they are part of the United Nations, then they need to display their good intentions. The wrold is watching. Micah Garen Cynthia Lee Molnar Sandra Nelson: I PRAY they will be released. I believe that they had no intention of causing anyone any harm. Please. have compassion for any misunderstanding. Debbie Gere: Prayers that you are returned to the US soon! chi jia andrew Twietmeyer Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Kathleen Moore Mary Cunningham: Please, in the name of peace for all, please free these three young people and allow them to return to their families. Paula Jackson kurt schroeder John Geiger Anonymous Benjamin Shaw Bawar Ismail: Be human, Ahmadinejad. Release those who have done nothing! kathy dellinger Amy Kaczynski Christopher Boundy Anonymous Mark Shane Tabor Christopher Robin Zimmerman Maggie Rodriguez: They meant no harm, Please release them. Diana Beck Anonymous Jim & Maria Sheehan: Please let them go. They are innocent kids. Anonymous Anonymous David and Theresa Burrus: Their lives are as important as your own. victoria murphy: Please release them- they need to be home asap!!! Joe B. Leigh Ann Dufurrena Solange Connolly marjorie ingall michael sherman Natalie Mishustina Alexander: its done...let them go home Julie Teagle: Will pray for their release x Anonymous Kenya Dworkin: This needs to have lots of media coverage. Lots of it! So the U.S. government and other entities will feel pressured to put pressure on Iran to release these young people, and the U.S. government conversations with Iran include this really dramatic and important issue. The global and the local go hand in hand. belia renteria Ira Wolff Norris D. Wolff Erica Wolff Heather Knopf Reeves Mark Shayne Donald Findlay: I MUST SAY THIS CASE SEEMS UNFORTUNATE FOR SHANE SARAH AND JOSH. graeme bow: I have now sent this to all my collueges from the member of parliments I am writing to express my support for every possible effort to secure the release of three young Americans who have been detained in Iran since July 31, 2009. Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were hiking near the Ahmed Awa waterfall in a safe area of Iraqi Kurdistan that is increasingly popular with Western tourists. News reports say they mistakenly crossed the unmarked border with Iran when they were detained. Iran granted the hikers consular access to Swiss diplomats on September 29, 2009 and on October 29, 2009, but their families have not had any contact with them. I know that the United States has no formal diplomatic relationship with Iran. However, I appreciate the efforts the US State Department is making to resolve this matter through the good offices of the Swiss diplomatic mission in Tehran and hope that further efforts to help bring Shane, Sarah and Josh home can be made through private and informal channels. Shane, Sarah and Josh share a love of travel and a sense of adventure, but they would not intentionally have entered Iran. They all have great respect for different cultures and societies and for the law and I hope their situation can be resolved quickly. These three young people and their anxious families deserve to be reunited as soon as possible. For that to happen, they need your support, regardless of the broader issues dividing the United States and Iran. I urge you to do everything within your power to help them. Thank you for your dedication to public service and for your attention to this case. Suzanne Christensen Tracy Werner Edward Johnson nancy meyer: You are in the thoughts and prayers of us all and will be until you step back on US soil and into the waiting arms of your loving families. Brandon Root Carole Schaefer: Give them back to their parents. Stuart Munro: This is an obvious case of an innocent mistake - these guys are just holidaymakers that accidentally strayed into an area they didn't mean to travel into. If the Iranians can make a common sense decision to release the British sailors after a similar navigational error surely these hikers can be treated in the same humanitarian manner? Amy Trainer: Please practice compassion during this holiday season and release these innocent Americans. Thank you! Sonya Prasad: Please rlease Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal so they can return back to their families. Thank you! Stuart Munro: Surely the Iranians can show the same compassion that they showed the Brirish Sailors last week. These hikers have also made an accidental navigational error and should be freed to go back to their families. Anonymous John Casoni: Please immediately release these innocent young hikers who strayed across an unmarked border. Hilary Russell Pritchard: Please do not use these young people as some kind of currency; let them get on with their lives. You are detaining individuals who CARE about promoting cultural unity. Anonymous: I pray that these young Americans are released soon and return safely to their families in the U.S. Perley MacIntosh Louise Brookes Patricia Smiley Yvette Olvera-Rose Anonymous Mariah himmelwright: everyone is human. we are all brothers and sisters under the sun. treat everyone with love. we all deserve it. Eric Morgenstein: I know Josh from high school. I am so frustrated and upset that this has happened to him. I hope that he and his friends are released soon. michele mowery Anonymous: We hope these 3 children will be with their families for the start of 2010. christopher mercier Kelly Phanco: This is a travesty. While the injustice seems to emanate from a position of strength (guns, soldiers and centralized power) it is truly a demonstration of craven weakness. The Iranian government can demonstrate true strength by letting these people go home. Linda Schatzow Jeremy Olson Anonymous: I pray that Iraq will have compassion and release these 3 young hikers Shane, Sarah and Josh to the US, as these young people did not know they were entering Iran. Please have compassion and understand that not everyone knows your laws and politics. This was an unfortunate mistake as this was not planned The families and friends, supporters of of these 3 young hikers are have hope that the Islamic government will do the right thing by realize these young people back into their families who miss them a great deal and want their children returned to the US where they are missed. I also ask that the US government does not give up on the rescue of Shane Sarah and Josh. This is a tragedy and these young adults must be terrified out of their minds. My prayers go out to the family and friends of these 3 young hikers as well as the US government as they negotiate the safe return of Shane Sarah and Josh. Sincerely, Mylene A. Somers Meghan Moriarity Susan Dyas: Know that God is holding you in His hands. Anonymous LeeAnn Herrera Lucia Perez Estella Collins: These young people and their families are in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you all. CAROLYN C. BATSON: PLEASE RELEASE SARAH, JOSH AND SHANE SO THAT THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES. SHOW THEM COMPASSION BECAUSE THEY MEANT NO HARM TO ANYONE. Nola Barry: Please show compassion and allow Sarah, Shane and Josh to go home to their families and friends. Ruth Yaskin: Please release these students. Corinne Ertel Todd: To the Government of Iran: Thank you in advance of showing mercy and compassion by releasing the Hikers. Lauren Titus Anonymous: Wishing the best to Shane, Sarah and Josh and their families. Diane Loving Michelle Pasternak Betsy Coe: We live around the corner from Josh's family. Although we don't know them personally, our heart breaks for their suffering and that of the other two hikers' families. Please show compassion and send them home. Sharon Fickeissen Anonymous Jack Peters Tom Gray Patricia S. Czajka: Please free them swiftly and safely! Anonymous Lydia Panas Anonymous Sean Damon Jason Ball: Iran has a proud history, holding onto these three hikers diminishes that in the eyes of everyday citizens of the west, release them so they can go home family is everything as in Iran. Jeff Hall: I sincerely hope that Iran allows these young travelers to return home soon. What does Iran gain by detaining these young people? Amnesty would free up energy to be used for some good for both Iran and the travelers. Jana Xavier Trevino c mcgill Anonymous Anonymous sutah: please release these children. Arash Abazari John Waterman James T. Rodgers Jessica Bay Linda: RELEASE THEM! Anonymous: They meant no harm, please release them to be with their families. Beth Dickson Tracy Miller: We are all eagerly awaiting news of your return! Lukas Baldrige: My heart and mind is with these three young people and their families Hilary Bok Melanie Carroll Anonymous Susan Gorman Carmen Guillen: This has been a terrible misunderstanding and I hope with all my heart that Sarah, Shane and Josh will be returned home safely. Anonymous Amanda Anger Joshua Raizman erica Taylor Martinson Shawn H. Magnuson: Please release these innocent young people and allow them to come home to their families. Anonymous Jason E. Hedrington: It's the obvious, human and right thing to do. Jill margaret christoforo Ian McNaught Laura Keelan Sharon West Anonymous: God Bless Matthew Hoffman Anonymous: Please release the 3 students being held quickly. They need to be returned to their families. Ryan Sarah Murphy Tracy Snyder Susan Di: Sending prayers for your safe return Marianne C. McGrath Sheila Macdonald Anonymous Friedrich Brandi: we are all human beeings Corey Walsh Brooke Finley Jeffrey Smith kerryburns Meghan Pickrell Bob Simpson: Free them please. Jillian Doke-Magruder Brendan Choi Anonymous Anonymous: Please release these young people. They truly meant no harm. Emily Magruder Anonymous Jonathan Vogel: Free the hikers! Darlene Jones: Free them!! They are entitled to their freedom! Anonymous Anonymous Don Hensel Emma Westerfield Anonymous Lisa Tara Kloner: Free these innocent people, they just wanted to appreciate your country's beauty and got lost. Why should they be punished for this? BE HUMAN Gretchen Peterson Dave Gilson Amy Vance Anonymous Darby Bayliss: There is no reason to detain them Allison Dworetzky: Enough is enough. Send them home! Marilyn Kosecoff Michael Buford: Please free these American hikers. Reeti Roy Karen Cohen Alin Gliga: Hope they will be able to travel the world again soon. Erik Filkorn Josephine Chien Jaime colon Trina March Anonymous Anonymous Meera LeVine: please don't continue to perpetuate individuals sufferring because of politics and nations! Maria Leone-Seid Marsha Maslan Margot Ocanas Deborah Png Marianne Barnard Anonymous Anonymous: Please set them free! Lori Nascimento: Please act fast to return these citizens home asap. ruth phillips Kelly Miller: Please return these young, peaceful, beautiful, people home to their friends, and families! Lindsey A. French David Parker Sandra Chambers Matthew ferguson: Please I don't even know who these people are but I know that no body deserves to be locked up for just exploring another country. When there are people who murder and sell drugs and rape, we as american's travel to other countries around the world constantly because we don't have the rich historical culture that is the rest of the world. To be able to explore lands that most people here will never see is a rare chance for most. So please who ever this reaches I implore you to please let these three come home for christmas. Kate Pagan Michael Carr: Please show compassion and release all of the hikers. Sarah McNeil rick odea: A mindset, that includes a show of good will as being a sign of weakness, can only lead to unwanted aggression. Maureen Vallance Lillian Alba Andy Jones Anonymous Anonymous: Hope they are home soon. Feel sorry for the families. cathy Furer Julia Furer Dinah Lenney Pamela Douglas Wesley Ford Anonymous Charmaine Upole Dragan Kovacevic Martin Hart: I pray for compassion and mercy and release of our three young individuals: Josh, Sarah and Shane. Scott Wilcher: Is there any difference to what these three Americans and the five British sailors did? Why were they freed so quickly while these three still remain in jail. Diana Wagman Anonymous: Please send these three people home to their families. Noah Michael Lynch: It would be a nice gesture towards World Peace to release these young individuals. They mean no harm and they and their families have already paid a massive penalty. It won't happen again. Whether they crossed the border accidentally or intentionally, they have paid their dues. Let them go. Genevieve DeWald Nic Nunes Michael Kennedy: My thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah, Josh and their families! Priscilla Biedebach: Hope Veselina Topalova: Please, free these 3 young people and respect the wishes of your young people as well. Anonymous Jeffrey Miller Brad Murray Dolores Klitzka: I just hope that Iran will show compassion and release them soon! Susan Langford Susan DuBois Karen Gruen Anonymous: sending love and light to these three and their families. Beth Denitz Cynthia Medeiros Ruth Friedman Anonymous: How does holding these hikers prisoner help anyone's cause? Please release them NOW. Elizabeth Foldi Emma Gerould Anonymous Jason Beck Anonymous Kelly Sammons: Please let these young people come home to their families. Anonymous Anonymous Jeffrey Villaveces Anonymous Angela O'Brien Jaimie Huck Kristen Simon Sandra DiGiulio Lori: I hope the hiker's are well and soon to be realized and come home safe to there families as soon as possible. My prayer's are with them all each and everyday. Ronette D Wills Chris Opela Anonymous Valerie Barrios Cagle Sonja Olsen Ellyce Thompson Jacquita R Heidler: Please let them come home to their familys! It's the right thing to do~~~~~~ Ben Snead Matias Holway Anonymous Anonymous: In the spirit of peace, please free the hikers! Anonymous: Please show initiative in the pursuit of a peaceful international dialogue by releasing the US hikers who present no threat to anybody's national security. Victoria Folkerts patrice Ceisel: Free them now jim green Anonymous Farrah Tienter Amber Timmons Daniell McSweeny: I think about you three often and I send prayers for the best outcome. Bay Adrian Zielcke: I hope Iran will show compassion with the young men and women Lee Scott Allan Scott Agnieszka Marczyk Catherine Blair Winter Anonymous: Please free these hikers. They are model citizens of the earth and their efforts in various non-profits show their respect towards different countries and peoples and not espionage in any means. Martin Phelps Anonymous Becca Neville Ashley Burnette Les McAllan Daurah Williams George Chen Laura McBride Kirsten Sheridan Anonymous Gwen Nolan: Please show the same compassion shown when the English sailors who travelled into your boundaries by sea were released. Anonymous Myriam Anonymous: Hope! Daniel Stamm Crystal Saunders: Please send them home. Jerry Widener: Hoping for a safe return soon! Malcolm Pellettier: Godspeed. Marya Alford Anonymous taylor kirsch Jill Van Der Meij Kate Oliver Andy Holden: Lots of love and hope from England. lisa monteleone Anonymous Kathryn Ziga R. Key Wendell B.S.,RRT/RCP: show mercy, release these young people back to their families. Danielle Ngo: Please release these hikers. Robson Loseby: I hope this helps to free them. Mark Willenbrock: "Therefore give their due to... the destitute, and to the traveller in need." Koran 30:38 Chris Cusack Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: No different from the young UK sailors that were also off their map and recently released after a few days in detention. Jenny Boyle Scott Liles: They should be let go. It wasnt like they were trying to smuggle in drugs, or trafficing people. They simply crossed a imaginary line by mistake. Please let these folks return home to their families. You three are in my thoughts and prayers. Mark Seagoe: It's just the right thing to do. lisa marshall Xin Zhu Stephen Robinson Barbara Dancheck Daniel Heafey: I hope in my heart the president of iran .will see some sense, and release them .holding them serves no purpose whatsoever. kids do make mistakes .please do the humble thing, and set them free thank you. kr bilkey John Will Ranoe Chirag Patel: Politics should not play into this situation. qtzzygrlp@msn.com Mary Ellen Swenson Tudor Mihai: The best kind of PR Iran can get out of this by releasing these people quickly and unharmed. They are young, brave, independent-thinking just the type needed by middle easterners to get their message across. Don't stifle their voices! John France Anonymous Duncan Edmondson Charley Adam Joness: I hope that your loved ones will shortly be released back to your arms especially for the holidays when family is such an important role. I really wish that the Iranian governemnt and the people of Iran will come to see the error of their ways in detaining 3 innocent civillians. If Iran is so protective over it's border it should of made sure that the area the 3 hikers we're entering was Iranian terrority and i'm sure this would of provented such a travisty as this occuring. Anonymous Lindsay Horan Michael Newman: Wishing them safe passage from a Canadian hiker Rob Shumaker: I hope that they are released before Christmas. They are in my prayers.... Anonymous: Please let them go! Anonymous Kate H: I do not know anyone involved personally, but my thoughts and hopes are with the families and friends and especially the three innocent hikers in this unfortunate missunderstanding. I urge the US State Department, and our President to keep diplomatic pressure on the Iranian Judiciary/Government for the immediate release of these people. Stay strong. Geoff Park: Do the correct thing and release them back to their families. Sarah Hathaway: Hoping you're home by Christmas. Praying for you. Eric Tollevsen Alexander Salmins Kim Club Chris Martin: Iran. Be True. Let them go. Anonymous Anonymous: It is outrageous that these 3 lovely young people have become hostages to the Iranian regime who will extract maximum concessions from the American government. I hope that Evin prison will not break them. Let us all stand firm behind them. Katherine Harris McIntosh Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Michael Cline: All of my love and compassion goes out to Shane, Sarah, and Josh, as well as the families that are surely suffering as a result of their missing loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Please keep the faith and remain ever hopeful that one-day soon they will return whole, healthy, and with a tremendous story to tell. God bless! Kurt Pfund: hike, don't fight! Nathan Maulorico: Human beings are people of the World, and not just of one nation. It is our duty as World Citizens to ensure and protect the basic human rights of every person. John Loftus Anonymous Anonymous B Anonymous Anonymous: Thank you! Rick Dickinson Anonymous Anonymous Brian Foley Jeramiah: I don't understand why a government would do this to three innocent and unarmed hikers. It's an abuse of human rights to even detain them for this long without a "fair and speedy trial". This is extremely disturbing. Best of luck. Nancy Peuraharju: Praying that Shane, Sarah & Josh will soon be safely home in the arms of their loved ones! Oscar Espinosa John Duntley Tim Bauerschmidt: Set them free! Steve Avey: Come on Iran release them now, stop using these people as political pawns - Steve, UK Kate Jones Bruno Tenete: Please let these young people go. They have no political agenda and only innocent students. jason whatford Angela Boyd Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Kathy Angove Joseph Keller Gruber: universal declaration of human rights = article 13: right to free movement in and out of any country article 9 = freedom from arbitrary arrest or exile. stay strong, Iranian prison has to suck... you are all inspirations to us Anonymous Drew Martin Angela Lopez justin hampton Martin Summerell: These hikers are good people, having strayed into Iran as a simple mistake it would be honourable of the Iranian authorities to now release them without delay. Chris Mosley Roger Tally Anonymous Anonymous Andy Taylor Francis Ridgel: I hope that the three of them make it home safely, and that that Iran will understand that nothing within bad intentions was meant to take place Rob Sullenberger Peyman T Cynthia Adrian Isela C Wayne davies: Obviously a mistake, hope there home for Xmas Alex Fife, Atlanta, Ga. june Liz Duane Peter Huston James Kuch Michael Keefe nasangga Anonymous: Please, please find it in your hearts to release these three back to the United States. Anonymous: Please free them and let them return home to their families and friends. Farzaneh Jahanzad Lisa Pirozzi Shawn Stroud William Bennett Anonymous Samir Karen Beasley: There are familiy and friends waiting for their safe return. They are not forgotten Ravinder Yadav: this is very unfortunate. we pray for their safe release. Anonymous Andrea Navarro Shelley Seale Anonymous Loubna Dardane: Give them the benefit of the doubt and deport them home. They are idealists that believe that nature is boundaryless and that is not a crime, it is a virtue. Phil Mannino Andrew Fitzgerald Kortnye Alexander: Obviously this was a mistake and they deserve a fair trial as soon as possible and to be let go. They have done nothing wrong! Janet Fisk Kelly A Morrison Meagan Christou: It's a shame that we cannot even explore our own planet without being tangled into politics! Free the hikers! Deborah Croll: Please use compassion and release these hikers. You must know that it was an accidental crossing of the border. Emily Beardmore: These people are innocent! They have done nothing wrong. Anonymous Taylor Sweeney: LET THEM GO! J. David McCarson: From Kate Hirst's quote below "I have strong hope that Iran will understand that Josh, Sarah, and Shane are travelers of peace and I hope that Iran will hear this plea of the family and friends of these three, and compassionately let them free. Perhaps this will also open a new door for peaceful diplomacy between our two countries, and a new opportunity for peace in the middle east." Lauren Pereira Marcy Pattison: Show the world you do have compassion for human life, send these hikers home! Angel Cuthbertson Anonymous George McKinley Jake Lanswerk Anonymous Amanda Vizak: This is unimaginable. I can not pray enough for these (3) and their families. Please know, you all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Scott Brown: These hikers entered Iran on accident while they were enjoying the beauty of that area. There was no malice from their actions. Please send them home to their families as soon as possible. Show the world that Iran has compassion for the innocent. Matthew Huntley: These are People being Held. Human beings, Not Pawns in some game. Please set them free, and on their way home! Lily Haskell Stephanie Carlson Patricia Christie Shaun Kirchin Rachel S Nick Civitarese Tim Oldham Chris Conway: Hiking and seeing the world is something everybody should have the privilege to do and see. Shelley & Lenny Seidman Melanie Salerno Brie joseph espinola Anonymous: I'm from Iran. I am ashamed of the actions that are done by our government. and sincerely hope your friends are free As soon as possible. Unfortunately, not only your friends have been taken hostage also Iran's 70 million people are hostages and hope you pray for our freedom. Anonymous: They paid enough for their mistake. Please,send them back! Anonymous: They paid enough for their mistake. Please,send the make safely! Anonymous Adam Ellsworth Anthony Gardner Theresa Burke: I hope the Iranian government will realize these people should be returned to their families as soon as possible, and that the American government continues to press for their release until that happens. Please take a moment to read a bit about these three individuals. I believe that you will find they are peaceful and caring; and that they simply made an honest mistake by crossing into Iran. Thank you. Stephan Nance: Please release these three innocent people. This situation is heartbreaking... My thoughts are with Shane, Sarah, and Josh, and with their families and loved ones. Jennifer Ragsdale Anonymous Anthony Cameron Anonymous Tatum Peters: Prayers Anonymous George de Zertucha Anna Pugh Carlyn E Wilson shain patterson Marcela Anonymous: Stay warm, keep up hope! Bryan Johnson: Dear Iran, Please release Sarah, Shane, and Josh. Sincerely, Bryan Johnson Anonymous Anonymous KEN OLNEY: The world would be better place if there wasn't so much dis-trust & hatred . Let the hikers come home for the holidays . jeffrey eyth: got human rights? pat breves: My god this world in crazy, three inocent people are being held in a prison for a simple mistake doing something they enjoy, our country needs to do something. Peter Flanigan Anonymous Sean Collier: I'm a big outdoor enthusiast and it's heartbreaking to hear about something like this happening. A simple hiking mistake should not turn into a stand off between politics. No harm could have possibly been intended when they accidentally crossed borders. Our prayers go out to them. Ramona Torres: Please be merciful and release them. I am praying for the families as well. May God be with you in your suffering. Anonymous Jessica Kellerman: This is so horrible these three face the death penalty for simply crossing an unmarked border. The Iranian people should demand compassion and humanity and show their values by releasing these humans and allowing them life. Anonymous: Please work quickly to bring this situation to a peaceful end! Angela Jackson Sarah Snyder Anonymous: Free the hikers! Anonymous Robert Ingalls: Please free our countrymen! NROSEMAN Anonymous: Having a free life is a right for everyone. Please release them. Timothy Foley: I can say Iran is a Strict Muslim Nation, If they see these 3 Hikers did something wrong they will Weigh In, Investigate, See the Damage they have done, Here I don't see these 3 Hikers Doing anything Illegal, It's Only Cruel and Unusual Punishment If they Truthfully Didn't Commit the Crime and they are in Prison, I Understand they are Innocent and Need to be Freed. Kevin Jeal: These people have the right to legal process Heather Crummy Kathryn Maki Kay Healy Anonymous Anonymous Megan MacDowell christine stockford: i will pray for you three, give them the strength to surive this horrible event. give them hope! you are not forgotten by anyone but the media! Anonymous Laura Bernhein Candace M Thompson Patty VanLangen David Miller Melissa Ash Anonymous: I ask the Iranian government to please show compassion and release these three young people. They are gentle and kind people with big hearts and open minds. Returning them safely to their loving families would be a remarkable gesture on the global stage. Respectfully-- Shane Kimberlin: I pray that the Iranian government may release Shane, Josh and Sarah soon. They are innocent, and with Christmas soon appearing I hope the families of these hikers may recieve a gift of good news. But I only pray, with God willing. Alecia Geno wendy: Please help these three kids return their homeland. God bless you all. L. Ketler Susan Pine: Our thoughts are with you. Anonymous: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh come home. Anonymous: Please show compassion for these good people and their families and friends. Kristi Shaffer Anonymous: Please have compassion. Isaac McShane: my name is Isaac Alexander McShane. I would like to sign the petition, as well as ANYTHING else I can do to help. This dilema is very important to me as I am a passionate hiker/explorer, and can relate to Shane Sarah and Josh in more than a few ways. The whole ordeal sends a CHILL up my spine. My thoughts and prayers are fully extended to the family members. I live in Louisville, KY, and again, will be proud to help however I can. Sincerely, Isaac Neil W. Humphrey: As a sailor I was very disappointed that the Bahrain flagged boat with the 5 British sailors was released in 1 week. This is a area of dispute of where Ras al Khaimah of the UAE wants to host the America's Cup. It's sad to see such a double standard applied to the same mistake when the only difference is flags & one incident reflecting poorly on the safety issue of USA sports team participating in Ras al Khaimah. Lara Chelian Matthew: These are people being held. Human Beings. They are Not Pawns in some game. Please release them to their family. William Mc Grath Sabena Stark: Please show compassion and allow these young people return to their families. Nathanael Matthiesen Carmen M Dunnington Anonymous: Keeping Shane, Sarah and Josh in my thoughts as I pray for the Iranian government to show compassion towards these fine young people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Peter Dupont FABIENNE. D: Please,let them come home. Shane, Sara and Josh 're innocents. Anonymous Paul V. lafay RG Wong: Bring em home! Rudolf Denis: Detained in Iran since the end of July... ;-( I hope they will be home for X-mas... Rachel Parish Angelica Garcia Montero Amanda McGrotty Joanna: Please let them home to thier famalies for Christmas. Such an important time to be with our famalies, please give these three the chance to celebrate Christmas 2009. tony fernandez Kathleen Sweeney Anonymous Anonymous: Governments should not use individual civilians as "bargaining chips". I hope they have been well cared for and that they make a quick return home. Anonymous: Love, compassion, peace,forgiveness. Anonymous Deirdre Hayes Maryann Marino: Dear President Ahmadinejad, Many of us would love to tour your country, view the architecture and landscape, sit with your people to get to know and understand your culture, but sadly the fate of these 3 students represents why we will never get to experience what your country has to offer. They were arrested for simply crossing your country's border. While your people may have their reasons that they have been taught for generations to view westerners as evil and question our motives , I can only tell you that we have sacrificed our men and women, and have given of our resources to lift other countries from poverty, despair and treachery. We have no other motives than to see the lives of others enriched. By your own words -- this is a time for talk -- not weapons, not war. We can go on forever suspecting each others motives or we can begin a dialogue. You are an educated intellectual who can certainly see the absurdity in continuing to base everything on perception and nothing on fact. You, Mr. President, can start a show of good will by releasing these students. You can, by your example, show the people of your country and those of the world that change is possible. You can be the president that built bridges to the future and not walls to hold in the past. As a parent yourself, I'm sure you can feel the anguish these kids' parents are feeling while they are being held in your country. For the love of your God and the Gods of all faiths, please release these students. They meant no harm to you or your country. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Lois Grossman Daniel Bacigalupi Charity D. Anonymous: We would all greatly appreciate the Iranian government to reconsider its actions against these three innocent hikers. thank you. Kevin Velarde: Josh has been a teacher to my children. I know with certainty, he means no harm to anyone. I'm sure the same of Sarah and Shane. Shelley Dorazio: Just please help get them freed as soon possible. Anonymous Angela: it was obviously an accidental mistake these hikers really need to be freed Gerald Gallagher: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. God bless. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Kyle Arnn: Please, be merciful. Jonathan Harmon Keith Toler Anonymous Jeffrey Imm Anonymous: too long. please please send them home! Stephan Storch canda mccaulley: I hope and pray that the Iranian government will show mercy and release Sarah, Shane and Josh. They are good people and intended no harm to Iran. Jesse Fradkin Anonymous: PLEASE RELEASE Jenna Ivey Lamos Anonymous Elena Coleman Chase Murdock Jessica Nhean-Breithaupt Anonymous Michele Gendelman Kate Raphael: Continuing to hold these three social justice activists only alienates those of us who have been the first to oppose our government's campaign against Iran. Please release them immediately, for your own sake as well as ours. Kaley Gann: This is unjust and wrong. Free the hikers! Ru Anonymous Ahry Ko: You can't even hike nowadays without wondering if you'll get detained without due process. Elizabeth Luking: A brief visit to www.freethehikers.org is all it takes to see the innocence of these travelers. It is now ten days until Christmas. Please release them. Holly Mommaerts Nate and Lauren Ian Martin Jessie Orand: Hope your able to come home safely real soon! Evan Leberstien Anonymous Kyle DeBord David Gabrielson Anonymous Ron Edna M May: Our hope is for your safe and speedy return Josef Kardos Frank McLaughlin: Stay strong; we will not forget you. Joe Holmes: All hikers unite and do what we can to bring these kids home. katlin dougherty: stay positive. stay strong. my thoughts are with Josh and his friends and family. i hope for their release and safe return home. Doug Mcgregor Jason Lucero Barbara Nelson Jennifer Miller-Antill: With prayers and hope that Josh Shane and Sarah will be re-united with their families very soon. Troy Floyd: Come on US government! Do what ya got to do to get them back! Eleanor Crow: Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh. Dan Perry Anonymous Mina Matson Hal Moss Angela Lees Matthew Burke Linda: I respect and urge the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal to the United States of America. Please view these young people as if they were your son, daughter, sister or brother. Look at these children as if they were your own. You would pray for their safe return to your home. It is true, that they idealize and respect all cultures and did not enter Iran intentionally. If these were your children held in a foreign country governed under different laws and being tried for a crime they did not intentionally mean to commit, would you as a Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother plead for their safe return. I believe that answer is, Yes. I acknowledge that our Countries differ in beliefs...but the love we have for our children is International and that commonality binds us as the same...no matter what Country or Nationality we are. Please view these three young people as your children, please care for them as you would hope others would care for your children. Please show your compassion as a Country and as Parents and let Shane, Sarah and Josh come home. Love for our families is Universal and this is what we share together! daine eschenbach Angeline Munoz melissa: Please send Sarah, Shane and Josh home to their families in time for Christmas. It would be a wonderful gift and a symbol of peace. Jaime Sutton Anonymous The Starnes Family: We will be praying for the entire family and Josh,Sarah, and Shane. May the Lord be with you all. We ask that the Iranian Gov. Please release these young adults so they can come hometo their famlies. We are sure that they mistakenly crossed the border and meant no harm to the Iranian People!!!!! amelie Karen Iranian: All Iranian people are upset about what has happend to these 3 Americans. We all hope to see them free, starting a good new year with their families. ...and by the way, to all Americans: Don't worry, we won't let anybody hurt Sarah, Josh and Shane. mariel clark Katie Geiser: Bless these innocent young people and bring them home safely. Manuela Morla BayÃ³n Miriam GonzÃ¡lez Morla Norah Peck: Please release Josh, Sarah and Shane. This gesture would be a compassionate first step toward building bridges of friendship and understanding between our countries. Josh, Sarah, and Shane are blameless, loved by their friends and families and valuable world citizens. Anonymous Anonymous Mary D. Sherwood Marlene Leona Teresa Damron: Please return these young people to their homeland. In peace and with goodwill. Kyle Cotten: The three may have been foolish but I don't think they are spies or criminals. Politics should not prevent their release. roche parco: May we please appeal to your benevolent heart to release Sarah, Josh and Shane to their families.We are very grateful in advance for your kindness. Eileen Eastburn Roy Mossi Anonymous Jolie LeBlanc jeffrey strutz Sue Fried Gary Fried Stephen Beckman Shonda Shimek Anonymous Jason M. Bechtel Ian Vaver penny harris Erik Stark Carrie Hanson Andrea Whitmore: May Iranian political prisoners in the U.S. be freed, and my these American hikers be freed, and may our two countries live in peace. Robert Piller Ronald Maxsonronaldmaxson@ Mark Elliott Frank Weber Michael Dennis Sheiry: I hope and pray they are home for holidays.I have worked for an Iranian man for six years.I have met many wonderful and campassionate Iranians.I'm sure you will be together soon. Mike Sheiry Andrea Bateen Mark Venzke: Please inform me and all people of the world why your country is detaining these people. If the intelligence and military leaders of your nation have evidence that the hikers were involved in any threatening activity, please present that evidence to me and to the world. You can send it to me as an e-mail message and/or (an) e-mail attachment(s) at Advokitt@yahoo.com. If your intelligence and military leaders have no such evidence, please release the hikers immediately. If your nation is detaining the hikers because they are United States citizens and the leaders of your country do not like United States citizens, please know that many United States citizens deeply respect the nation of Iran and the people of that nation. Those citizens also deplore the imperialist interventions of their nation in the sovereign nation of Iran and other nations. I am one such person. My understanding is that the hikers are such people. Please end the shameful and embarrassing situation of your nation holding hikers who appear to be harmless and misguided tourists by either presenting evidence of their ill intent or by promptly releasing them. Sincerely, Mark Venzke Joyce Guinn rich forer Anton Iorga Anonymous: These young people were enjoying the beauty of the countryside and did not intend to enter Iran. Please free them and allow them to return to their families. Rebecca Owen Anonymous Beverly Bailey: If these kids were up to no good, I doubt that they would have choosen this way to enter Iran. We all make mistakes. Jay Schmidt Nabihah Caroline Krumholz: I hope these young people are treated according to the highest standards of human rights, and that they are allowed to go home expeditiously! Let's keep in mind, as we hope for their return, that the outcome of this incident reflects on the government and not the people of Iran. We can all do more towards a more peaceful and understanding world. Erma Edwards: It is TIME to release them! wally martin Richard A Shook Anonymous Anonymous Cebastien Rose Robert Hastings: I have great respect for the Koran's teachings on compassion and hope that they will guide you to release the hikers who wandered unkowingly across the border into Iran. Pam MacArthur Jim Barksdale: Dear Iranian friends - we know America has acted poorly for decades, but gestures of friendship are opportunities for peace. Let this be one for you. jackie pugh Elizaabeth Cormier elizabeth Cormier Karen Platt Maryellen Foster Michael Foster Noel Sanborn Dr. K.N.I Bell: Iran seems to be a beautiful country with a decent and hospitable people; some day, I would be glad to visit, when visitors are welcomed. Unfortunately, it is generally felt that these hikers are being held hostage as pawns in the international process; that perception dishonours Iran, and therefore it would be in Iran's interest to either show, to the standards acceptable worldwide, that there is a reason to hold them, or to simply release them because Iran no longer sees them as anything but tourists who became disoriented and accidentally crossed a border. To hold them without showing good cause makes it more difficult for those who believe dialogue is possible. I cannot see how holding them is in Iran's interests. Shereef AbdelRahman Khafagi Dennis Bricker donald gutierrez raina whan Billy Norris: Please. John A. Herstein Jr.: fear not they which are able to kill the body and can do no more Elsa J. Marty Natalie Chwalisz christopher lee David S. Bowman Jr.: We are watching. Antonia Mandry sandra vergnaud: truly touched by your site; 3 wonderful wholesome kids. i pray they are well, and may soon be able to hike, and travel, and explore, and discover, and grow, once more. Alex: FREE THE HIKERS! Iran needs a wake up call! Linda Walters: Please let them come home today. Marlon Anthony Jefferson Anonymous: Salam we 3alaycom Who ever you are, who captured SHANE, SARAH & JOSH, please release them. Islam is above all politics, it's a religion to worship Allah and thank him for life. It a religion to prepare you second life. Be sure to treat the three treakers like you fellows so thah Allah can forgive you. Peace be opon you Allah ye7efdkoum Linda Walters: Please allow Shane, Sarah and Josh to join their families today. Show compassion. David Elliott Amy Carpenter Kevin Doherty Bill Kearns: Free the hikers for the Holiday !!! Hilah Martin: My prayers are with Sarah, Josh, Shane, and their families. I pray for for their safe return. Jen Vaughn: ....how can anyone not understand how EASY it is to get off track while hiking? Obviously this is purely political as to why they are being held, scapegoats. They are all in our prayers for a quick release to this nightmare. Chris Spain: Please do the right thing and release Shane, Sarah and Josh. Anonymous Annette Nasser: Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh to their families. These three innocent young people are hikers of peace and I hope that they will be treated with the utmost compassion and civility that every human being deserves. Please, please, they deserve the humanity that they, themselves have given. ELSIE LOKI S. A. McDonald Logan Charap Jennifer Illenberg Anonymous: My prayers are with your families. Dan Schneider: you should l release these kids, and stop using them in this political situation Rob Reynolds Amanda Reed Robert Hubauer: My heart goes out to all the families and frinds involved. I feel terrible not knowing about these kids situation, as well as many of my friends and co workers. I am a retired USMC GYSGT,and currently a law enforcement officer in GA. Please let me know how I/We can help. I can ot beleive this is not headlines or the Stae Depts Number 1 issue. Tensions are tight with Iran, however, we all know the truth with Iran. I do not care if my country has no relations with Iran. Mr Obama needs to step up to the plate and have these kids released immediately. Make it happen Mr President right now. If you don't have the balls America does Semper Fi Bob "Gunny" Hubauer Sandy Bickerton FÃ¡tima MartÃnez - Paraguay Dan KrammerRN Heather Farmer Jeffrey S. Cohen: Stop playing politics with the lives of these young people. Ann Snider: Please free these three wonderful souls so they can continue their journey to explore the world! God bless them and keep them safe until their safe release! Anonymous: Best of luck and warm wishes during the holiday season - our hope, strength, and prayers are with you. Geraldine Pease Anonymous: Praying for your safe return! Lisa Kinyon: I pray that these hikers will be reunited with thier family's soon. David Steedley Jennifer Rulon: We all want peace within our countries. Not all Americans are against the world. Please let them go home to their families by the holidays. These three people were discovering your beautiful country not trying to harm anyone. How are we supposed to be able to learn the goodness of your land if noone can walk and discover a new region. Please find it in your heart to let them go. This will tell the world you want peace as well! Kasey Lenz DEBORAH EATON: My heart goes out to not only Shane, Josh and Sarah but to the family and friends as well. Anonymous: wishing Sarah, Josh and Shane peace and comfort, praying that they come home soon. Anonymous Anonymous: please allow these young people to return home to their families; it is the only right thing to do Kevin Coll Anonymous Anonymous Danielle Anonymous: Please. Matthew William Miller Anonymous Anonymous Asif Saeed Raza: Please free these young kids, so they can be reunited w/ their family. Show Compassion, Mercy so you may receive the blessings of Allah Ta'la. They are innocent, they were just hiking...let them come back to their families. Amy Blackmon: Please free the hikers and let them come home to their families. Anonymous: To the families - I am sorry for your pain you must be enduring not knowing how they are. You all are in my thoughts, best wishes and positive energy. Harry Avakian: The Iranian government wants to use these three people as bargaining chips with the U.S. How crazy is that? Jean Diaz Rosalyn Baxandall Sally Barron: Please return these innocent young people to their families. Robert Weaver Felipe Galeano: we are praying for you guys!!! Robert E. Meintzer: It is time for magnanimity, not petty vindictive hate. The holding of these people is hardly in the teachings of Islam; A TRUE Islamic republic would have pity on them and release them! Amber Brad Keller: Please set them free! Anonymous: My hopes and prayers are with the family, in this time of need. Shannon Watkins Michael D Harvey Millie Glaze Crystal M: Let them GO! Anonymous Jim Moore Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous val campos Anthony Joseph: My God Bless The Hikers and There Families Marshal Granor: Josh Fattal went to elementary school with our son. While we are not close to the Fattal family, we know they are a caring family and that Josh is a person of integrity. His exploration vacation was certainly not an attempt to spy on the people of Iran. It would be a great gesture of kindness and udnerstanding for the government of Iran to take control of this issue and to do the right thing -- send the hikers home as soon as possible. six months is way too long. Michele Fryauff: As a mom of children the same ages as Sarah, Shane and Josh who also have love for the world and a curiosity about other cultures and nature - I pray for their release. God be with you. Giovanni Gallucci: Please free these young people. JOANN P. DARVAS: Please, please release these young men to their families so they can have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year. Anonymous Monica Ball Shorty: May the lord our God Reign over them and may his peace and mercy be with them. Greater is he who is me than he who is in this world. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Peace and compassion for fellow travelers. Thank you. Wanda Nolan Stacy DeVine Anonymous: Please let these three hikers do what they were doing. Enjoying the beauty of the land. Wishing for a happy ending! Anonymous Lory Blazek Prokopec: I pray for Shane, Sarah, and Josh and their families. I pray for their speedy release so they can again be with their families. Jo-Dee Collins: I pray that this will all end soon and peacefully Christy Gress: I don't know any of the hikers, but as a fellow hiker: crossing an UNMARKED boundary between countries would be easy to do in unfamiliar territory. I am praying that Shane, Sarah, and Josh will be released soon. Dr Thomas M Johnson: Please release these young people.That a young woman is being detained in this fashion is particularly unpleasant. They chose a strange place for their expedition, but this is what they do. Their trial will be just another stick which will be used on the islamic republic of Iran wa illa likaa, Liz James: I feel certain the Iranian goverment will look beyond fear and distrust and come to a rational realization that Shane, Sara and Josh are three peaceful travelers, there is no hidden agenda here. jeffrey smith: They're just KIDS or crying out loud. Emily Zisette Chris Autumn Anonymous Anonymous Mark Danowsky: I would ask the Iranian government to think of their own struggling families and understand that in this way we are not so different. What these three families are going through is unimaginable, tragic, and should not be prolonged any longer. Boris Mogilevsky: They are innocent and have to be let go !! Ryan Gustafson Anonymous: They have done nothing wrong, free them Maya Grace Rohr Miranda M. Rita Brown: Lord, we ask for your intervention in this situation that these three be released without incident. We give you all the praise, honor and glory for it in Jesus name, amen. Anonymous Chantal: Please send them home MAG: Release the hikers now! you have no right to hold them, continue to act this way and I am sure that Obama will get his 3rd war to manage... Anonymous: Please send them home javane Paul Meichun Rebecca Petzel Jean McKay: I respectfully request that you find it in your heart to release these young people to their loved ones, please. Amanda MacLean Annie Happel Anonymous Lynore Valenza carla thompson: please release them. Sam Vetter: Please free these good people, and at the same time I would ask Americans to pressure their own government to release hundreds of detainees who are innocent. It is acts such as these which make it more difficult to persuade governments to free good, honest people from America detained oversees. Annette Alex Hartounian Brandon Jernigan margaret copi Ingrid Yogaratnam Anonymous Richard Hargesheimer Nick Jocelyn Ellie Bowman JUSTIN dOHMS Jarrod Pachappa Grant Gilley Anonymous Lee Freedman: By holding these individuals you do no damage to the government of the U.S. (which is your perceived enemy) but rather do a grave injustice to three people who crossed a border innocently. In the best interests of Iran and the hikers please release them. Tim O: PLease Release Shane, Sarah, and Josh. God bless them Suzanne Bernardi Henry Happel Lynn Higgin: Please show human compassion and release these gentle people to their families! Magalie Bonneau-Marcil Hilary Spindler Brenda Gazzar: Please help to free these innocent hikers. They, and no one else, should not be used as a political bargaining chip. Cameron Matthews Anonymous Rebecca Baggett: Please hear our pleas for you to release these young people. Nichole Sandford Nick Page Casey: These people do not deserve punishment. I understand if they trespassed and thereby broke Iranian law, but look at these peoples records -- they truly are not spies. It is only right to release them. Delfina Pei BEHZAD AALAEI: Please end all hostilities and free these fine people. They are not criminals. They did not commit any crime. Anonymous: Please let the three hikers come home to their families. They meant Iran no harm and letting them come home would be one of the greatest diplomatic actions Iran could ever take. Please show them compassion and give them back their freedom. Lajos Markos: please give back our bothers and sisters please Anonymous Samuel N. Vetter: I sincerely hope that these friends are freed. I hope the same to all ppl of all faiths, that any who are held against their will without just cause, that their captors have compassion and let them return to their families. And peace to everyone during the change to the new year and the Holidays :) Claudia Rodrigues nathen knight: give mercy Alexandria Garza Jennifer Ortiz Amanda S Anonymous Monica: Set them free! Ahvienda Koturra: I hope deeply that these great, intelligent friends of the world are treated with respect and kindness. Elisabeth Sallack: This is unbelievable! I hope they come home safe and soon! Anonymous: I am a Elder with the Presbyterian Church and feel that they individuals made a mistake and were not trying to commit a crime against Iran. They should be reminded to respect Iram and not stray again. Anonymous Jennifer Wilson Kelly Smith Rebecca: I do not like the idea of Sarah, Shane, and Josh spending the holidays away from home. I am concerned for both them and their families. I hope the Iranian government will release them soon. Rael Nidess, M.D.: Understanding that the Iranian people have been wronged, repeatedly, by the actions of the U.S. government and continue to suffer from one-sided diplomatic power, it is also true that individual Americans, like Shane, Sarah, & Josh harbor no ill-will toward the Iranian people. Iran's best hope to achieve its rightful place in world affairs is to capitalize on her friends in other nations. The unjust detention and planned prosecution of these innocent human rights advocates does not advance Iranian interests. Please, let them go. Anonymous: Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh! Katie Nicole M. Swanson Lloyd Nimetz: Too many good, innocent young lives have already been unfairly destroyed (on both sides) in an ideological battle. If we have the chance to spare three innocent people, then let's start here. Song K. Hong Jill Maynard: These hikers were are no threat to the Iranian people. Please release them and thank you for your time. Dustin Crawford: Release them. Before we come and get them. Absalom Braun: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090622/bauer Was a fantastic article by Shane. One can see the benefit these 3 friends can be to the world with their intelligence. Please help the greater good and let them go. Jeffrey Brown: This is horrible; I hope they will be freed. I will keep them in my thoughts. Candace Ppool: My thoughts and prayers are with the hikers and their families. Anonymous Anonymous Nicole Meyer Rod Juan Membreno: Please release them, it was a honest mistake and by no means an intent to spy or trespass. Anonymous: There has not been nearly enough press about this. I can't believe I'm just reading about this now on my Yahoo Headline page! Anonymous Lauren: These hikers belong at home with their families, and returned to the world they've been working so hard to change. As a journalist, I admire the heart they put into telling the unheard stories, and their desire to affect those around them. Peace be with you guys as youâ€”and weâ€”wait for your safe return. Lauren Gruber Reginald Brown: these people are innocent, let them go back to their families. Its the right thing to do. Melisa Feylo Doug Hemphill Diane Fentress Anonymous Desiree Howard: May God bless your families during these tough times. Anonymous Jesce Howard Anonymous: I will be praying for you all please return them to the US with there family and friends. God Bless you. stevie Anonymous niloufar Lesley Pam ake: Please let them go!!!!! Anonymous Jeremy A. Chapman Dick Artley Ronny Jinglemen: Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I hope you show these decent people mercy for their error of crossing into your border. Anonymous: It is time for the Republic of Iran to not only show compassion to Shane, Sarah, and Josh, but to their own people and humanity. Releasing Shane, Sarah, and Josh should only be the first step. I find it difficult to believe that 3 hikers hiking near Ahmed Awa Waterfall, barely cross in to Iran and are said to have been in a "sensitive military zone". How sensitive could it be as close to the boarder it is located. Release the 3 Americans so that everyone can move on with their lives. Iran has much more to worry about than 3 American hikers on a vacation. Anonymous Anonymous Melissa Rodriguez Lee Shepard Jennifer Baning Emmanuel Baning Suzette Shelmire Mark & Laurie Kostrzewski Kim Raynor Anonymous: Sarah, Shane and Josh, GOD IS WITH YOU Anonymous Janie M. Stein Charles Orlando Jenny Adams Sara Banasky Helen Blackmore: This one gesture of humanity can provide Iran with tons of global mileage. Shanna L. Jean Hagedorn Inder Majumdar Mac McKinney Peter Lundberg: I urge you to release Sarah, Shane and Josh. kath joy Breanne Johnson Danny Courreges Anonymous Anonymous Victor Cetina Ben Costa Fredrick: Free them! Armstrong O'Brian Ongera, Jnr.: I urge the Iranian Nation, and especially the Supreme Leader,and the President to order the immediate release of Shane, Sarah, and Josh. These are just hikers and should not be used as a football. Freedom is fundamental to the three. I play for you from Kenya. Marcus J Wagoner: Please release them. William Filutze: Please release these fine people. We all make mistakes. Its pretty obvious that this is the case here. Thank You Anonymous Timothy Place: I pray that they are freed soon, God has it in His Hands. Carlos Mora: Is this what Allah wants when he preaches peace to all mankind? Free the hikers please. david ridley: I sincerely hope Sarah, Shane and Josh will be released from Iran. Ron Haworth MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH: My name is Muhammad and I am a Muslim; I am a son and a father of a child too and, therefore, I know how it feels like being isolated from one's children and parents. I ask you in the name of Allah, God almighty that you release these three innocent individuals from captivity. They are not guilty of any crime except a simple human error, which was a clear misjudgement. I urge the Iranian Gov. to release these people for the sake of humanity. Michael Wilder Jenni Parmalee: In peace and respect, we ask the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran and their leaders to please forgive this innocent misstep. Our thoughts are with Shane, Sarah and Josh and their dear families, especially with the approach of the holidays, when families are meant to be together. Victoria LeClair April Jennings Vanessa Cohen: Very sorry that this situation continues and hope that Shane, Sarah and Josh will soon be released. May they find the courage to stay strong and may each one of us continue to support them in every way possible. Michael Mahyar Hojjatie Melissa A. Wojtylak Lauren Augusta Anonymous Elizabeth Ferguson Anonymous Cara Millstein aaron schwartz Matthew Silva Cecily Conroy Anonymous: I didn't know walking was such a crime in some places. It was an accident. They have been held enough. Leave them be and show you do have some compassion. Paige Deputy Jeannette Avalos Sarah Meyer Michael Padovano Mary Oliva Anonymous Anonymous: Please release these individuals. Sonny Singh Anonymous: They meant you and your society no harm! They meant no disrespect! Please free them. julie petersen Becky Ashlock Rena Walsh Mike Schmidt: get them home karen Brandon: Release them mike chen: Let them go home. Bridget Perry Anonymous: My prayers go out to the hikers, their families and the individuals who decide the fate of these hikers. Cirsten C.: Since when is hiking the Earth a crime? Innocent people must be set free. Anonymous L.S. Anonymous Frances Weeks Anonymous: Not every one is a spy; not every one is evil; honest mistakes happen to human beings; don't detain innocent people who hike and enjoy nature and use them in your continuing nonsensical propaganda and games with the West! Charlotte K-Willis Anonymous colin jansen: Let em' go its the holidays man! Doug Hartmann: Wishes for a swift release and our thoughts are with the hikers and there families! Maureen Peck: I will keep them all in my prayers Tim: The leaders of Iran need to stop using innocent people as pawns. Diane: Whether God, Allah or any higher spiritual leader, gives us precious life we must respect it and live as one nation. Heather: I have strong hope that Iran will understand that Josh, Sarah, and Shane are travelers of peace and I hope that Iran will hear this plea of the family and friends of these three, and compassionately let them free. Perhaps this will also open a new door for peaceful diplomacy between our two countries, and a new opportunity for peace in the middle east. Anonymous cactus kev: be free, be green, be lean and for god's sake don't be mean... Paul Dorsey: Thank you. Zach McCormick: Iran, you hold innocent hikers for your political benefit. Stop begging to Iran! Iran has committed a terrible crime and shall pay! Sheila Wild: Hope Shane, Sarah and Josh will be released and home for the holidays. Cody Elliott melaina kampf Anonymous Lia Donovan Jody Copp: Show compassion and release these young imprisoned people to their mothers now. azarin sadegh Mark Spencer: I hope for the hikers and their families that they return home soon. Out thoughts are with them all amy gauthier: may God bless our American children, and hold them tight in His embrace in the midst of this nightmare! Anonymous Emily McFadyen David: It has gone on long enough. Put aside your differences and do whats humanly right. Release them and let the families be at peace. Robert T Miller. Jamie Young Joy Portelli: I am praying for your safe return home. Sarah, Shane and Josh, you are not forgotten. David R. Reed: Please release these people. Their families are worried about them and they have done nothing wrong. Also it is the holidays so some sign of human decency should be shown by letting them go back to their families Jennifer Staudenmaier: I hope and pray these three young, full of life people come home soon. I will pray for your families. dibgeebcayF Anonymous Anonymous: Please send them home! Anonymous Anonymous Chris Blodgett: Please send them home. They did not do anything wrong on purpose. Please show compassion and return them to their families. If it were your son or daughter being detained by another country, wouldn't you want the same for them? Luke Dery Anonymous Zen: Each one of us who makes a decision to support the three in the mind, sends a message to the Iranian government, and to the Iranian people. These messages act like tiny wafers being placed upon the Scales of Justice, and one-by-one bring Light and Truth to bear upon an oppressed people. The Iranian government exists within a mindset of fear, and fearful people act without love. To direct anger only reinforces fearful behaviour, whereas love dissolves fear. This is yet another chapter in the Iranian people's journey away from darkness towards freedom. Hopefully love will prevail, and the mushroom cloud of death will not be how the Iranian people will be remembered. For these three young americans are no more than bargaining chips in the Iranian government's nuclear ambitions. To the family of the three - stay focused and strong, stay empowered. Zen. Great Britain. Neda Sina (Iranian): Merry Christmas! We have "Nowruz" here and I can imagine how sad would starting a new year be knowing you have a son, a brother or a friend captured in another country, far away. Wish they could get back at home, as soon as possible. God bless them all. Erin Deo: Please bring them home! Blessings omid8bimo: Iran's government action is outrageous and unacceptable. they have no right to detain those hikers and MUST release them now! Kathryn Stone David Rupprecht Joe Marchessault: When the leaders of Iran release the hikers, it will lead toward a better understanding between Iran and the rest of the world! Kumar James Gellan: I implore the Iranian government to release these three hikers, and will realize these people should be returned to their families as soon as possible, they were only hiking in the area and obviously made a wrong turn. I also hope and pray that the American government continues to press for their release until that happens. I know these three meant no harm and bear Iran no ill will. Mouayad Sary: Im Iraqi shia muslim man who liv in sweden. I wish they be home again soon. I will pray for them. Jeff Hitler Sherril Garahan: Please free these very innocent and vulnerable young people. They made an honest mistake through ignorance but should not pay this way. Our countries will never find peace with each other if we are unjust with the innocents. catherine halfmann Carol Zapiec: My thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah, Josh and their families. Hopefully, they will be released and home with their loving families. Melissa Mertz Jen Tedesco MIchael Collingsworth Louann Luck: I share your pain very deeply. My son and a friend were detained in Syria a year ago. After 7 days they were released. Miracles do happen. I will pray for them. vinod khurana: A country should not play politics with innocent young people lives. It is the bigger mistakes in life that matter...not crossing over non-fenced territory. Besides, this earth is for everyone and no one human has any right to keep someone in or out. When will you all learn, only God the almighty has that right. Christine Arnsberger Diane Trachtenberg: We look forward to the day when the Iranian government gains our respect by freeing the hikers. CRUZ ALVAREZ: I hope you guys are released soon...God is by your side I promise Anonymous Anonymous: Words cannot convey how wrong this situation is. I feel such sorrow for them and can only hope they are strong enough to get through it. Mark Fuller Esther Ho Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Marcia Tyriver Anonymous Mark Christie Lainie Fefferman Jascha Narveson: quoting from the Hadith (Malik Al-Muwatta, Volume 49, Number 22): "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be generous to his neighbour. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should be generous to his guest." ltyppzfm idrgglrpio Sarah Greenwald Anonymous Theresa Douglas-Tagatac Nicole Marchesseau jill grodin Anonymous: Please release them asap. They are young, innocent humans, who should not be imprisoned! Anonymous Amanda K April Newman Anonymous Rola Zyada Don Hobel` Anonymous: Hi, I'm irannian and I have so shame for this matther, I hope they will return soon at home, :( ...... I was crying to see this sad mother, We pray with you for them. Anonymous aimee shapiro Steve Carter Laurie Starko Laura McEwan: Free these people TKhan: May the all mighty protect you guys. Melissa Harris Lacewell Melissa Harris Lacewell Rebecca Kanter Deniz Gultekin: My best wishes Jan Klump Andrea Kirsh Angela Werneke: Please free these young people now! Steven Weinstein Robert Boyd Anonymous: Let PEACE start with their release. David Austin Hilary Chiz Chris Pierdomenico Tom Fisher Pete Wheeler Anonymous Anonymous Brandon Woodruff: Stay strong, stay dedicated, and grasp your faith with both hands! Susanne Wiesman Anonymous: Hope & Peace Richard Connors: Please use the power of peace to guide your decision to release these young innocent people, Kailey Laura Frazier Carson Christiano kim barsema Anonymous: God Bless Sandra Sheldon: Please release these precious people! They meant you no harm and no ill will! Barbara Glassman Anonymous nina jacobs Amy McGonagle Cory Sherman: Get home soon, God speed! JD Jackson Jennifer: I think its time for Iran to show the world they have atleast some morals and or values for human life....Maybe we should jail all Iranians here, or not let them into our country...these are students who crossed by mistake!!! Let our People GO!!!!! Daniela Tzvetkova: What good is it? Amin Husaini Kathryn Cormier Susanne Kane Deborah Pettus Leanne Petti Jennifer Bebow Sharon Murphy: Please release them! Richard A Barlow Karen Danenhauer: Please free these innocent people. Madeleine Batlas ericapetrus Anonymous: Please free these innocent hikers. Lori Warden Ashley Gustafson ralph jones Anonymous Allison Saft Judith Cohen G. Chad Bowechop: Our thoughts and prayers are with Shane, Sarah and Josh in hopes and confidence that the Islamic Republic of Iran will grant their safe passage home. Chad Bowechop Makah Indian Nation Neah Bay, WA. Johanna Richmond: God is love. Carol Manley: Please let these kids go home to their families that miss them very much. Beverly Wolpert Kathe Langberg: Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, "Today I bent the truth to be kind for I am far surer of what is kind then I am of what is true." --Robert Brault Brian Cohen Melissa Pound martha montgomery: Please show compassion and let these hikers return to their families. May humanitarianism reign. Rory Houlihan: Gain credibility with the western world and do the right thing Anonymous Bill ^ Jinny Carr Anonymous: Please allow thse young people to return to their families that love them and miss them. Anonymous Amy Fried Anonymous lupita Aliaa Elarnaaote Don Liska Anonymous: Please return these children to their families. I know what it's like to get lost when hiking. Maria D. Mataragas: The Holidays are a time for togetherness. Let them home. Katharine Lynn Sam Katz: 30 years ago, the problem was Savak. Now it's worse. As the expression goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Keep the faith and have courage. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Jennifer King Anonymous Anonymous Tina Miranda Robert Shaffron David Geist C. Rexford Stacey B. Ward Tamra Burgess Cristina Stancu AL CAPLAN Kim Pitman orestes perez Karen Tweedy-Holmes Zirel Handler Gail Williamson Malwina: Please free them Harry Katz Michael Sweeney S. Laskin Anonymous abisail padua velez: i know what it's like being in jail, and i can only imagine the differences in treatment between the united states and a foreign country, must be more than what i can imagine, i prayed today, in hopes that god comes thru for them, may god bless their families and provide strength their children who are in this for saken circumstance, i am hanging in there with you, and hoping they do the right thing because if they don't their going to leave a sour impression, and it will only make us look at how they treat their tourist, it will be a regrettable mistake if they suffer anymore than they have to, its beyond absurd, and the thought of revenge may be in some peoples thoughts, i dont think they want that for their sake. Anonymous Anonymous Amy Laskin Alan Reed: This is the time for all people that beleive in whatever God that you beleive in and pray to; too please pray for these young people to be given the daily strength that I know they will need to endure this hardship! I don't know The Hikers personally, but I do know that this will be one of the most difficult times of their life so please keep them in your DAILY thoughts and prayers. If released before our holiday season this act will show the world what Iran and it's leaders are truely capable of doing. These young people are just travelers in life and I beleive they wish no harm to no one or nothing. This is the season of miracles around the world so lets all pray for the next one to happen for Sarah, Shane and Josh. Please send them back home to their families and show the world what Islam is truely about; Compassion, Tolerance and Peace! begaxbemtueit Amanda Noone JJ Lazarus: This has gone to far! Let them go. David Johnston Norse: We ask this in the name of the Most Merciful, Most Holy, God beyond all Dualities. Karrie harmon Lynn Kerman Sarah Dennis: I am hoping and praying these three are returned home safe and sound. There is so many different risks in traveling throughout this world and so many US citizens expect what we all take for granted day in and day out. But are forefathers new what was worth fighting for and I hope they can experince it once again. charles: serious Iran ,you are embarassing yourself..you know damn well they were not there to do any harm David Glass Anonymous Liza Carlos: I will be praying for Josh, Sarah and Shane safe return. karin Corinne Thompson Anonymous Shawn Linn: My hopes and Prayers are strong. Together we are stronger. Let us work together to fix this mistake. Please make things right. Anonymous Anonymous John C. Evans Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Steve and Susanne Boskovich: May peace be with those who are wrongfully charged and all of you who love and cherish these three. Our thoughts and hopes are with you. Anonymous Chad Ramler Heath S. Bonnie Roslyn Frank: Please release them now. Jeremy Winter: Please do what's right in the name of peace and freedom for all life. Dana Mayer Tabitha Jadwin: I don't personally know any of the hikers or their families, but as a mother myself, the entire situation crushes me. Regardless the country, culture, or religion, I believe the right thing to do in this situation holds true across all barriers. Please free the three hikers! January Adler January Adler Mairaj Khan: I hope Iran decides in releasing Shane, Sarah, and Josh.. they are innocent.. they meant no harm to Iran. Iran should be moral and release them.. Gerald and Janet Martin Leslie Lomas Allen Coniglio: Show some compassion and some humanity. Free these people now. Elizabeth Bishop-Martin Patricia Moseley: It is a sad story of how three innocent Americans on vacation are going to be charged with espionage. I do not know them, but am terribly worried about them and how they are being treated. This could of not of come at a worse time, as our relations with Iran are terrible due to our criticism of their nuclear plans. I fear for their lives if they are charged as spies. How can this still happen to Americans all over the world? Cynthia Douglas: My Iranian friends are most sad to hear of this. Please won't you let this kids go home? marius cristian frncu: I hope they will return back home soon! Mrs. C. Bombardier Anonymous: We should not be thinking of war or holding each other hostage. We should show charity during this time of the year. Please set our people free. You would expect the same of us if we had any of yours and we would likely gladly set them free! Have a heart! Carol Watson Stelle Sheller ERIK HANNA Corinne Lanquetuit Jesse L. Johnston Anonymous haialani Patric Sheridan Linda Webb Joel LaBarr: The Hikers no doubt had no idea they were crossing into Iran, whats the most damage they could have done? Leave a few foot prints in your sand....... Release them, show the world some compassion. Let the world know the people of Iran do care....... Anonymous Carol Gornto: It is my urgent hope that the US Government continues to press for the release of Sarah, Shane and Josh and that the Islamic Republic of Iran shows compassion towards these three and releases them as soon as possible. You and your families are in my prayers. sullivan Stacy Horn: It's a complicated, unfair world, but this is an opportunity to not add to that. Katie Dettman melinda feher Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Please send this young people home to their families. I'm sure if the Iranian government did their research, they would find that these people are not spies and can let them come home. Kathryn Cale Anonymous Price Sheppy Casey Madden Anonymous: It is sad when innocent people become pawns. Hope for the kids release soon. Peace! Susan Silber Jody Christine Wong: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh!! I pray for their safety and speedy release home. I went to high school with Shane in San Lorenzo, CA and remember him as a very nice and talented guy. Please give Shane, Sarah, Josh and their families the strength to get through this. Charles Russell Camilla Russell Anonymous: Iran just's needs to let them go Alexia Underwood Shmidheiser Erik Proulx Rachel Shar Nicole Franklin Sharlene Barrier Kelly Rosenbaum Pamela Forrest: Please do the right thing, and release these innocent people. E.W. Count: Please arrange for the young people and their families to be in touch in this holy season, and to to be reunited early in the New Year. Leslie Acquistapace Philip Lyon: I pray to the One God, who is the creator of ALL, that these children be returned to their homes alive and unspoiled. I know they are being treated well. These children are not part of any political or spiritual struggle that may exist between our nations. They made a mistake, and I am certain meant no disrespect to your national security. Please free them as a gesture of friendship amongst free nations which diplomatically wish no further mutual ill will. Thank you, and God be praised. Richard Todd Armstrong: we're thinking about you and believe your release will soon arrive. It's true what has been written on this site, this is a human right. Ultimately, your call will be heard by Iran. Hang tough, this can only strengthen you. diana Joseph: Please free them Anonymous: Do the right thing Anonymous Anonymous Ali Rawaf Kevin Burgess: We all need to remember we are all people and these wars do not get any of us any where let there be peace for all countries. We have to learn to live together on this heavenly earth. We all live different lives with different views and different religions we should all learn to respect these different ways of life and not try to change or force people to change. I pray for peace on this earth. So we may all enjoy it while we are here. Amy Lerner Mary Kate Malone: These people are innocent humanitarians. They should be set free immediately. Jenevieve: Reunite these three human beings with their families and friends. Alex Price Sheryl O'Brien CÃ©dric Guilloud Bonnie Price Brooke Estilow: please release them Shirley Curry: Please release them Lawrence Curry: They are 3 great kids Amy Besser Marcus Besser Patrick Looby Katie Foster Dan Foster Fred Bohrman Beth Alper Ellen Friedman and Jeff Cohen Brita Dagostino Lia D'Agostino Sheila Morganstein: free them!! John Hoover Michael Levin Noah Robkin Mike Hoch Lance Dishler Barry Brucker Rochelle Sauber Jenny Bohrman: Please free the hikers! Barbara Rosin: Best of luck to you - I wish you the best. Ilana Ron Adam Kabinoff Cory Goldman Beeny Cotter Laura Carapolloti Josh Weizer Matthew McLees John Hoch Eman Jarouche: Do as the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) would have done and free these people, for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has more forgiveness and understanding than we could ever give or have. jean christophe messiaen Johanna Fry Mike Del Ponte Gabrielle Toomey Anonymous: You are in our prayers.... Eddie Griffiths: Josh is the nephew of a close friend who is a committed environmental activist for clean waterways here in Washington state. Although I don't know any of the hikers personally, I appeal to your humanity to release them for their accidental trespass into Iran. They had no intent to cause any harm. Anonymous Margaret W Crane Anonymous Anonymous: Please release these three young people, who did not mean to do anything wrong. The world will appreciate your compassion and understanding. Anonymous Richard McFarlane: Please release the hikers. Please return them to their families. Bill Bryant: Do the right thing and let these hikers go NOW! Amy Revell Anonymous Anonymous Sarah Vetter Audrey Hunter Veronica: Compassion is a human value, one that must be considered universal to our shared experience. To utilize innocent people as political pawns is shameful. We ask for the release of Sarah, Shane and Josh. Allison MacLeod Brandi Boston Michelle Zeng michelle davis Jason Schubach amy goldberg Don: Please show them mercy and compassion. MKV: I live in Boulder Shane, where your sister lives. I feel her presence and yours too. Iran, please. This is ridiculous. Anonymous Anonymous Fernando F. Anonymous amy kogon Lailani Lopez: My heart and prayers goes out to you and your family. May God bless you guys and SEND YOU GUYS HOME!! William Gardmer Kyle Coughenour Susan Day: Our thoughts & prayers are with you for a safe return to the USA! Merry Christmas & hope 2010 brings you freedom! Bill Mead: I pray that our Lord Jesus will protect the 3 of you and allow you to be released very soon. Natalia Boodansingh: We hope for your safe return and the enduring courage to continue your good works! Fidel Gonzalez Sr,: Please free thehikers, they were simply hiking! Anonymous Michele Hannah Mack Kregg Strehorn Karen Brickey merav melamud Anonymous Lynda Potempa Tammi Berront Adam Sprehe Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Thomas Wanning: Islam should stand for peace! Jennie VanGundy Angelo Valsesia Curt Larsen: These young people are adventurous and eager to explore new parts of the world with open minds. They have no negative intentions towards Iran or the people of Iran. They obviously crossed the border innocently and by mistake. Please free them from captivity and send them home to their families. SANDRA G JACKSON: My heart goes for Sara,Shane and Josh. PLEASE RELEASE THESE GOOD PEOPLE. PLEASE SEND THEM HOME. Life is hard enough without making it more difficult for each other. Jill Rose Megan Sullivan karen g.: Praying for your safe return. Abbie Mood Ed Baldrige Jasmine P Anonymous: as a friend of Josh's family, I sincerely hope they will be returned safely to their homes. Mary Bawden: Come Home! Heather Meehan Pia King Leslie Broussard: Please release these kids and let them go home to their families will swank Anonymous yalda: i am iranian, an i am so sorry for the three young students arrested near the iranian borders. i know, as so many other iranians do, for sure that the three are perfectly innocent. i hope they soon are released and get back to their families, specially now that your new year is on the way. iranian people are so ashamed of what the iranian regime does. we keep praying for our sister and two brothers to get back home soon. Russell Sauers: People make mistakes. Let them be free to enjoy what they love. The World! Dawn Walsh danny ginsberg Anonymous: Please release these three individuals. While I do not know them, I am certain that they mean Iran no harm. They were just in ther wrong place at the wrong time. Please let them return to their families. paul almond: please free them. Patrick Gauthier Jessica Hamilton Jan Haig: Come home soon. Anonymous Natasha Wheat JC Scullard: To the families of those held captive, stay strong and don't lose hope. Anonymous Jessica Escobedo Orval Foraker Betty Moriarity: Hope you are all home real soon. angela germianrio Nate Eve Jake Cat Pete Burns: Please send them home Andre Kusmierz farzin barazandeh jamie Kroggy Dave Deriso: Iran should not take hostages. Is that what Islam wants? Ellsworth S. Wetzel: Shane, Sarah, Josh: Hang in there, and remember that we're thinking of you. I spent some time in Iran when I was young (20 years old, back in 1977) and came away impressed with the deep civilization of Iran. Ultimately that civilization will reveal itself, you will come home, and have one helluva story for your grandchildren. ESW3 Rafael Llorente Anonymous Jo Morrison Mark M Giese Roberto Gnesotto: Liberate i tre ragazzi e mostrate un volto di ragionevolezza rinunciando a strumentalizzare politicamente il loro errore Janet Zampieri: It is beyond belief that three young people hiking in the wilderness could be imprisoned and accused of spying! Rachel Moss Anonymous Lucia Knell Gerard Jendras E. Copans: This is the opportunity to rebuild the world's image of Iran. Take it! celeste: Blessings to them... daniel fixell Rachel Krantz Hanoufa Anonymous Jeannie Mark: I hope they are released soon. Carlena Moss Brad nancy Johnson Anonymous Anonymous Sheree Viche-Cassell: Let us try for a peaceful resolution. By releasing these three young people, you will show the world that Iran cares for the world's children. The world is watching, not just the US. Please release them. Tina Waterman: I PRAY FOR A SAFE RETURN... ALL MY LOVE, TINA Andre Carvalho Eric Murriguez: Please let our friends come home! They made an honest mistake! Jane Reid Clare McKeown Richard Bondi Anonymous Darrell J Banks: To be merciful is to be a light in God's eye. Shanna Jacobson: My heart goes out to the families as well as the hikers. I hope the Iranian government will see the justice in making these families whole again. Anonymous Paul Caza Elizabeth Terry Margaret Heatherly: The longer they are held, the worse the publicity for your country. Madelynn Coldiron: I find it ironic that three innocent people who were no doubt admiring the beauty of the landscape around them -- without knowing they were in Iran -- were subsequently imprisoned by that country. Please show the world that there is beauty in your soul as well as your landscape and free these innocent hikers. Shannon McClure Jill Langhammer Robyn Davis Beth LaRocca-Pitts: We are praying for you everyday. Wade L. Thomas: Please free these people. They represent no security threat to Iran. They realize by now their unintended error of crossing the border and have paid a high price for the mistake through a lengthy detention. Anonymous Anonymous Jim Sykes: My prayer are for the hikers. May Iran figure out that not all people are bad Jen Miller: live strong! Elizabeth Arnett: I pray for their release, for forgiveness, and for the truth to set them free mentally and physically. Anonymous Anonymous: I do not know these young people. However, as a mother of two young adults, I sure would hope of their return to their parents/loved ones. Pyong K. Park Anonymous: please let them go Phoebe Van Vleet: Josh was a teacher of mine at the Aprovecho School for Sustainable living in Cottage Grove, Oregon. His influence was one of quiet contemplation, and his character one of respectful non-judgement, curiosity, and playful optimism. I am thankful to have spent time around him, to have gotten to know him a bit. I am stunned to hear of his situation, and now think about him often and wonder what the daily life of he and his friends is like. From my heart I hope they are all able to return home safetly and in good health. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Shelley Wardwell Anonymous Anonymous: please help these kids get home. They must know they were not doing anything to harm anyone. they were just hiking. Anonymous Anonymous: Asalam alekum. Peace be with you, and please be aware of the peaceful nature of these hikers. George Jones: Let these our brothers and sister go. The whole world is watching. Soften your hearts for these young people and help us move toward peace. David Scherrer Anonymous: Peace, goodwill, kindness and happiness, now, and forever. otfcbeluneg Anonymous Anonymous Azra Borogovac Anonymous Anonymous Tom Nawrocki Jamie Clarke Ashley Brown: Please keep disputes between governments outside of the live of innocent civilians who have no stake in political matters and have families at home praying for him. Please let SHane, Sarah, and Josh go; they do not intend your nation any harm. Marlena Rodriguez Veronica Anderson Hector Lopez Lisa Edwards Josh Wright Maggie Renno Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Rachel Chapman Robert Ingalls, Pastor: I pray for tehr elease of these three innocent travelers. I pray the Iranian Government will acknowledge that the hikers are innocent people and will set them free. They pose no threat to the afety and security of the Iranian nation. Thye were simply admiring God's work through teh natural world. I pray for world peace! Anonymous Anonymous Kara Suarez Karen Schramm: The "crime" does not fit the punishment. Where is justice? Let them go. They are innocent! Karen Schramm John Mark Strahan: No innocent person should be detained against their will... Heather Gladstone Anonymous Joseph Yaworski Morit Chatlynne J R L Kathleen Walsh Crystal Smith: My thoughts and prayers are with you guys!! Hope you come home soon!!! Anonymous Josh Anonymous laura Allison Pacheco Greg Pazour Charles P Hampton Nessa Olshansky-Ashtar Sara Donnelly: Please let them go home!! Meghan Cook: My thoughts are with you... Heidi Pihl-Buckley David Hyman Don and Mary Cole Anonymous leighton K. gleicher Joe Feczko Linda R. Ana Baldrige Kenneth Francoeur Greg Born Anonymous Anonymous: Please free them. Keith H Althea Goodison-Orr: Send Shane, Sarah abd Josh home!! Kevin Stone Anonymous Anonymous David Simmons Susan Shiff Heath Row DEBORAH ZELINGER STEPHEN ZELINGER Darcy Forlenza Tammy L'Heureux Anonymous auline: Please have compassion, as I know they have respect for you, and did not intend to cross over into Iran. It was an accident ada esparza Anonymous Heidi V Huck Susan Bracken Kevin McKague Elibariki Reem Fakhouri jay Anonymous Ginnette Powell constance d Anonymous Anonymous: I trust that the Iranian Gov. understands that this is not about politics, this is about a family like any other around the world who only wants to have their loved ones returned. I am sure that these three young people would want the same for any Iranian who was found in a similar situation! Ryen DeStefano Grace Y: We ask the Iranian government to display understanding, wisdom, and mercy in the release of these hikers. Doing so will undoubtedly bolster a positive image of Iran and its people in foreign countries around the world. Jonathan Grant Elizabeth A. D. b.nod. Dr. Rev. Heather Mehudar: I am asking the Iranian government to have mercy and release these three individuals who intended no harm. In order for peace to flourish on this planet, we need to exercise constant compassion for each other and use less of an iron-fist, territorial mentality. We are all inhabitants of this planet who should strive to get more in touch with its natural beauty. Instead of being offended by these three innocent people accidentally crossing an unmarked border, I ask that you please feel honored they were observing and experiencing the natural beauty of the world in your neighborhood. I urge the Iranian government to show the world you can be a peaceful country and release these people. I also request to clearly mark the border to prevent any future accidental border crossing. Bismi-Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim ("In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful"). Anonymous Penny Thornton Anonymous Leesie Tara Bolton: My prayers are being sent your way. Please free the hikers. Craig Morea Mariah HallBilsback Aldo M. Valdez Gherber Razvan Julie Larson Anonymous: let them free Anna Shethar Anonymous meg frazer: Many prayers for a safe and quick return to start the new year. Anonymous Jean Hantman Anonymous ngsoflttory Kelli Mackay David Newman Harvey Samuels Leah Greenbaum Nancy McMurtry Canetti Dominique Harold J. Bershady: What good does this do for the Iranian government? What threat have they warded off? They could redeem themselves a bit by acknowledging they made a mistake, apologizing to these three young people and and their families sending them safely home. Peter Salzer david baker Anonymous Justin Powers: My thoughts are with these three. Edoardo Nardella cory boll gabriele scafati Matthew Bartels: These innocent people deserve to be released immediately. Anonymous Anonymous Angela De Berti Kelly Seltzer John Pack Joan Eisenstodt Anonymous Brian Leonard Irene Pressner: The world needs this young innocent people to be returned to their families as soon as possible, the world needs great gestures of understanding... Anonymous Jordan Schneider: The Islamic Republic of Iran will show their humanity and goodwill toward the world by freeing these young hikers. Only good can come out of the decision to let these young people go home to their families. Anonymous Mikel Elorduy Jochem Devens Sharon Yu Francine Jewett Gary Mann Debbie Tsarfati: So sad and ridiculous- hang in there!!! sofia villa Anonymous Susan Holin Ann Mintz Laura Redepenning John Duffy: HAd they crossed a marked border knowing full well what they were doing, than their detention in your country would be just. However, due to their ignorance of the fact that they were crossing your border, due to your lack of border marking, they should be released! Anonymous Cindy Clague Sakura Saunders Rebecca Granovsky-Larsen Len Garza: Prayers and thoughts. Adnane Osmane Anonymous: Please imagine if these were your own sons and daughters, how worried you would be not to have even been able to talk to them for four months! Please send them home, they are only travellers who went to see a waterfall, not international terrorists! Tabitha Ross Anonymous Gabriel Brown L. Collins Anonymous Caitlin Johnson christiane: Have Mercy! It was an accident! Barbara Dye: Please release these hikers. We've all taken the wrong trail when hiking. They meant no harm. kate krivy Masrour Zoghi Roland Klober Tamara Herman Charlene David Hagemann Anonymous Anonymous: Please, free them as quickly as possible. nelly puterman Stephanie Kohler Marina Perricone Anonymous: Promote compassion and peace. Allow the hikes to return home now. Karina Ghirdan William Anderson: These young people should be released as soon as possible. They are obviously not spies and have no ill will toward Iran or its people. Releasing them would reduce tensions and help to restore Iran's reputation as a moral member of the world community. uaebutilet Anonymous: It is not difficult to understand that a new young generation is here that works to eliminate violence against people of other lands through journalism, teaching, personally visiting and creating bridges between people. Iranian people, loveable and warm people, are not hostile any more than these Americans. It is the military and the government that is hostile and violent to people of peace-jailing them with no contact allowed for their families? How shameful. Madelyn Cotton-Kinch: Releasing these hikers would be a gesture of goodwill that Iran could easily make. Letting them contact their families and have access to lawyers is the civil thing to do. I hope the American government will continue to press for their release and return. Anonymous Virginia Ottieri Amanda Sperber Deanna Paula Justin Sorensen: I've gotten lost before too while hiking. Anonymous: They need to come home NOW!!!! Becky Long Dwight Knell Christina Hesley Adam McCann Celeste Carlisle: I respectfully ask that the Iranian government show mercy for these hikers. We are all human and we all make mistakes. Please excuse them for their trespass. Peggy Sinclair-Morris mattia velati Jerry McIntire: It is time to give information to the families of these three and arrange for their release. Tyler Ulsby Holly Meyer Jason Hecht Paula McCauley-Shelton: We beg the compassionate nation of Iran to PLEASE allow Shane, Sarah, and Josh to speak to their families and we plead for the safe return of these young people who would only have entered your country by mistake. Kim Fleisher Anonymous Julie Hart Kelly Turner Darci Jones Anonymous David Bates Becky Glupczynski Raj Sarah Bradley Anonymous Anonymous: My prayers are with all concerned... Anonymous Jamie Jones Anonymous Anonymous Eli Okun: Please free these innocent Americans and end their families' pain! brian s heimberg: ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? tammy h mel cairns Kerry Chance Shawn M Morton Joseph Blackard LEANNA I WONG: Please release them!!!Let them go back to their families... LeighEllen Vanzino Anonymous Andrew Duggan: This is a generation that can make a difference to US foreign policy, a generation that is seeking to understand the people of your country and the wider Islamic World. Please free these individuals and show the US Government, what many in the West already know, that you have reasons to be concerned when individuals from the West walk in restricted areas, you have reasons to doubt that these three people were just travellers. But Shane, Sarah and Josh are just young people, who took a courageous step to try and find out a little more about your country. Praise be to Allah Donna Niggeler Anonymous Amanda Epstein Matthew Watts Rhea Dennis Anonymous Shadia Fayne Wood Anonymous Michael Pannozzi: Please free these innocent hikers, they mean no harm and deserve to be returned home Frances McGovern John Hawley: let them return home to be with their loved ones... Patricia Grant Anonymous Anonymous Kathleen Clark Lisa Swainston Andrea Chisholm: Please act with humanity and free these innocent young people. Louisa Hogensen Cathy Maxwell Aicha Benayoune Ellis L. Bert: Release these young people and let the world see Iran as a nation that will admit its mistakes and move forward to amity with all nations. Chris Wood Anonymous Sherry Schofield vashna Melissa Sheely: Too much time has been wasted in holding SSJ in Iran, please they were just exploring our great planet, release them so that they can explore more of this world in peace. Marla Ben-Tov: In my thoughts and prayers always! Ana Carolina Penner Mehdi Madani Anonymous Becky Anderson Cody Miller Ella H Brenna Arnett Kate Waters Idesbald Van den Bosch: They have been detained for long enough now. Try them fairly and quickly or free them! Zac Rubenson jenny marshall Robert Samet Anonymous Mindy Grusin Lauren Nelson: FREEDOM Jonathan Druy Anonymous: I'm sending positive energy your way Shane, Sarah and Josh. I hope that it helps in even some minor way. Janice: This is an opportunity for Iran to show the world that they can be compassionate and understanding. A Mother's pain has no "borders." Mark Turner: This is every bit as important as the Laura Ling/ Euna Lee case. Bill Clinton and everyone who ensured their releases need to secure the safe return of these three Americans. Allison Talbert: Please know, Sarah, Shane and Josh, that our prayers and our love is with you. God Bless You, and we will see you home very soon! Shauna Dirlam: I'm hoping for their release, as they are being wrongly detained. I hope they are being treated humanely during their detainment; but am fearful about their treatment in the Iranian prison. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers each and every day until their safe release. Elizabeth Diamond Nicole Euan KAMRAN RAFATIAN Lily Wolff Vic Dahuja clare Auchterlonie Genica Robbins Peggy Zwerver Isabella Bugatti Billie Mesiano Gianna Le Kim Allen david ginsberg Kris Seeman daniel Seeman Seena Lister Mary Alice Kuner Eduardo Hueso Kate Bernol kate seely Beebo Turman June McIntyre Ricardo Chavez Daniela Meltzer Elizabeth Vandenburgh Grafton Harper Cory Chew Ethan Gilsdorf Devin Elizabeth Brome Reagan Maechking Peter Katona Dorothy Katona harold linde Bob Epstein charlie lex Spokey Godfrey John Mahoney Rebecca Sorell Janani Lee Adam Eldahan Tara Gordon Kayir L. Mealy don krumm molly stilly dorry wong amy cannon Junstin Wiener Brent Bucknum jeanne achuff Theresa Diederich Rafael Rangell peet Jim Maresh Anonymous Allyn Hughes emily Danielle Silver Anonymous lisa Terra Sorensen Nick Biblis Nick Biblis kristen manzo Taylor D-Wayne James Grace: Espionage? Really? Larz W. VonBruner Alina Christian Alysha Webb Cornelia Corey Jim Brennan Anonymous: LET THEM GO! 160+ plus days with no contact to their families? This is not fair. Frank Forrest Jess Trauger Anonymous Keith W. Volz Teressa Tomas: Please Iran, we know you will do the right thing and send these beautiful human beings home. Please send these innocent people home. Josh, Sarah and Shane were exploring the beautiful country and meant no harm. It was a mistake and no harm meant. Peace and love is what we seek. Please find the peace and love in your hearts to send them home. Our country will be so greatful and joyous if you send them home. Carly Hall PAT LA PORTA Adam Weizer queyreau: Free the hikers Anonymous: In light of the present unrest in Iran it seems clear the rgime is holding these people and they should be released. Shauna Aragon karenasch Micah DeLaurentis Anonymous Nancy Davenport gary goodyear gary goodyear Nancy Davenport Martin Trudell Mariah Morgan Katie Scranton Kelly Brady Anonymous: Let them go now! neokuji: PLEASE Free these good people! slbutterflyqn Chris Stephen Myers Jason J Green anneke hut Deborah Burnham: Releasing these young people could open new understanding between Iran and the United States. sara gaspar Alan Haggard Darlene Davis michael westrich james m nordlund Pat & Carol Osborne: Please Free The Hiker Pat Osborne: My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Martino Majno Janel M: Please allow them to contact their families and come home. Orlando Castro Nancy Friedman Michael Hirsch: Whatever Iran's disagreements with the U.S., holding three young Americans who are clearly not spies is outrageous and will do nothing to lessen hostilities between Teheran and Washington. Patrick Anonymous Alexandra Fries Ismael Rodriguez Elisabeth Kelly andrew gleason: Josh has been a friend of mine for 20 years and ill bee thinking of him every day Anonymous Wanda Culpepper: I will be praying for you! Jody Walker Eric Freund Anonymous: Please let them come home to their families. Fern Lewis Justin Owens Nancy Matthews-Lessard: Please let these children go home. They meant you no harm. The punishment does not fit the "crime." Let the children go home to their families. Madison Koebnick: I LOVE YOU JOSH, SHANE, AND SARAH!! <3 Emily KNudson: i hope people will see that they came in peace and are good natured travelers Max Dillon Amber Thrasher: Please release them!! Chad Kempel Rebecc Sulka Joan E Loza Mobry Mary Rose Mazzoni Anonymous: hasta la victoria MMH Betsy Vazqurz: May god be with them and they come out healthy and well Thomas Baker Toni Benevento Anonymous Sue Baldridge Anonymous Fr. Tom Heron: The entire parish of Saint James Roman Catholic Church in Elkins Park, PA is keeping a prayerful vigil until Josh, Shane, and Sarah are reunited with their families. Anonymous: Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh immediately. This gesture would really be appreciated, their families want them home with them and pray for their safe return. Anonymous MELISSA BARTEN: PLEASE LET THE HIKERS COME HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. Andrew Langsam Erol Hofmans: I respectfully ask the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to show compassion and release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal from detention as soon as possible and allow them to return home to their families. Shane OCURRY: Solidarity from Donegal, Ireland, a hikers paradise. Anonymous Anonymous Judy Konopka Morgan Dambergs Diego Mathieu: I wish the 3 hikers to be released as soon as possible. This is just a question of good sense. It's so obvious they're hikers, nothing else. They had a dream while they were travelling; they crossed many countries, met people from different cultures... and then the impossible happened when they were caught. So, we kindly ask to the Iranian authorities to have some compassion for these people who only had thirst to travel and discover their world. So, please, release them as soon as possible. Thank you ! Diego, back from 3 months at the prison of Evin. Desiree Jones: Asalam 'Alaykum hikers. Josh I love you and wish for your swift return. Government of Iran please show compassion and release these innocent individuals who have done nothing but show global love. Carol River Renee Pearlman Jamie McDaniel: I know Shane. He is a great traveler and explorer with enormous respect for all the world's cultures who would never seek to cause Iran and its people any harm. I hope that the Iranian government will give these three travelors a fair hearing and, upon proving their innocence, release them to their families. Dawn Falk: It would be wonderful if the Iranian officials would spend their prison and legal resources on people who actually are a threat to their government or country rather than on these three innocent tourists. Free The Hikers! Kelly Maxwell Timothy Holbert Maria F. Jonathan William Wayne Goodreau Lee Hood Anonymous Jackson Culpepper TINA SNELL: Praying for you all. Thomas Johnston Nica Espinosa: My prayers are with them and to please free the innocent hikers! Joshua Logan Wade Jordan Price Jordan Price Marlene Piazza Richard: The hikers had no intentional purpose on illegally crossing the border. They didn't know they were crossing the border. These people probably didn't even know this border existed. Please release them. -Richard, a 13 year-old. monique Quillard: Freedom for them Michael Chirkoff: Let them go! Detaining these people is wrong. Anonymous Tabitha Barry: Release Them! Anonymous: If you don't want people to accidently come into your country then please put up a fence or wall or at least a sign to warn people. You can't blame three innocent young people if they didn't know where the imaginary line was. If this happened in our country we would simply give them a warning and a comfortable ride home and probably pay for it out of our own pockets. Sometimes we even let them stay and become a citizen if they want because we are a hospitable country and we love all races, religions, and cultures. Tourist bring money to foreign countries economies so why not welcome people instead of promoting hate? Why not promote love and peace and it will teach other nations about your cultures and bring in good possibilities for your economy as well? This is sad that goverments in the world do not see what good peace can bring to everyone everywhere. Please let these innocent young people go. Ashley Chenard Josh Harmadi: They're just kids who made a mistake!!! Jim Boley: Credibility requires that these innocent Americans be freed from Iran. No credible government can argue that these were spies or otherwise.....hikers, simply lost hikers. Do the right thing! lachupacabra: wish the families the best of luck retrieving the family members Zach McGohan Katie Paul Sara Rafsky Peter McMurray: To the Iranian government- release these hikers now! You have made your point and have no reason to detain the hikers any further. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous pam montgomery Jamie McDaniel: I know Shane. He is a great traveler and explorer with enormous respect for all the world's cultures who would never seek to cause Iran and its people any harm. I hope that the Iranian government will give these three travelors a fair hearing and, upon proving their innocence, release them to their families. Brandon Kuipers: This isn't right >:( Alicia Sangiuliano: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh from prison. walter laing Pam Craner Venatrix Fulmen: Your Excellency, President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, you also have two sons and a daughter. Kindly imagine for a second how you would feel, if your children would have accidentally strayed at an unmarked spot from Palestine into what is called today's Israel and would have been arrested. The minimum you would expect is an immediate clarification and then their release - not a detention in a state-dungeon and letting them rot there for now nearly 200 days. With acts like this your security apparatus could seriously discredit you yourself and all those who stand together with you and others against U.S. imperialism. To try to use the three innocent hikers as bargaining chip or counterbalance for the many unjustly maimed or detained Iranians in other countries is impossible, because to counter a mistake with another mistake would be disgraceful. In standing up to the real enemies of free and self-determined people you can not possibly use the three hikers in any way, except by setting them free unconditionally. It is reported that you once said: "We are against occupation, aggression, killings and displacing people â€“ otherwise we have no problem with ordinary people." So, please proove it and let the three hikers, who are ordinary people, go home. Send them away with a warning, but show sentience, compassion and lenience. valerie vitello Lisa McGuckin: This is a ridiculous punishment and detention for what boils downn to a simple error in geography. Shame on you Iran! Teresa DiCampli: Please let them go home. Deena Yahiro Anonymous Clare Putnam Shelbi Katy A. Edward James Sass Kaitlin Hardy Batya Cohen: I live in Israel but am originally from Wyncote, PA. There is not one day that I do not pray for you, Josh. Batya Cohen fischer gyorgy: free the hikers, take politicians to prison Sophia Walter paul: What is the crime, taking pictures of waterfalls? Jade Walters Lissette Gabrielle St Michele: DETAINING THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE IS A DISGRACE TO GOD, RELEASE THEM! Kim Anonymous: Releasing Sarah, Shane and Josh would be a merciful and compassionate gesture that their family and friends would appreciate greatly Trish Cummins Payom Ilkhanipour Aimie Olson: Understand that your reputation as a fair and great nation is greatly affected by detaining these individuals. The citizens of the world and many nations view your actions as evidence that you are not a civil and just people. Prove them WRONG and set the hikers free. fredrik cassee Caitlin Schmedlin Scott Campbell Lisa Bullard Anonymous Elizabeth Javor Anonymous Jeffrey Wishnia Anonymous Anonymous Kelly Vassar Anonymous Angela Winquist Angel Aguayo Jasmine High teya sabado: i'm a hiker myself and it grieves me that such arrest can happen without any warnings that there's such a boundary... All wonderful things are God's creation and we can just do much but to marvel and explore. Anything that hurts and spoils are evil before God's eye. I pray to the living God for the release of Josh, Sarah and Shane and that He will touch the conscience of the captors. Ann Williams: A powerful leader is merciful. Anonymous Dawn Soderlund: My heart goes out to Sarah, Josh and Shane, their families, and all those holding vigil for them during this horribly difficult time. It is my hope that the Iranian government will exercise compassion and release these kids immediately. I can't begin to imagine what their parents are going through. Lois Emanuelli Matt Wiegand Anonymous Allison Andersen: We pray for their safe return to family and friends Jody Santiago suzie winquist Dennis Ray Wells: Those who have power also have a responsibility to wield it justly. Please send these people back to their homes and loved ones. B.J. Cassell Lisa Wiedmann Katie Brown Anonymous Ian Kupferberg ann glass: Please let these wonderful young people come home. Their families and loved ones miss them so very much. Nich Kramer Greg Watkins Anonymous Alison Lee: Please, have some compassion! Anonymous Carrie Lee josie bloom: please free these beautiful people! Anonymous: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. I hope the government of Iran will make the simple gesture to free these three young hikers and show the world that they do have compassion and understanding. Dahiana Marizan John & Shelley: Our thaught are always with you Miri Margie Blanks: It is obvious they had no ill-will toward your country. Please set them free. Julia Rask Gregory Rand: I hope that Iran can understand what an innocent mistake it was, crossing an invisible border between the 2 countries. Please, show some mercy to these 3 travellers and their families and friends....please release them. Michelle Brigham Jana catinna williams Mary Pontoppidan: Dear Iranian Government: Please release the three tourists, they only came to the area for the sake of its celebrated beauty and had no intention of crossing the border. With respectful greetings and hope for peace in all the world. Jeanne Fetyko: Please show compassion to the world; by releasing the hikers. Cathy Harrell: What a sad, tragic situation, that three young people can't simply be able to enjoy the natural beauty of a country without being imprisoned over crossing an unmarked border. My prayers are with you Shane, Sarah and Josh. Our government needs to make this a TOP PRIORITY. I cannot believe these three are being held for this long, without the ability to seek legal counsel or contact their families. I will continue to pray for their release and try to find a way to help them. Victoria Hutchinson Laura Stokstad Patricia M. Flanagan: Please allow these innocent adventurers to go home and be with their families. What an outrage! KELLY EATON Graciela Ines Kurt Schueler Jane Taylor Laura Futrell: They need to come home! Jeff Robinson Tim Douek scott leaf: Our government needs to step up the pressure on Iran to resolve this matter immediately!!! Joe Simo: After nearly 200 days, it's time to let you go home. Joe Simo, Dallas, TX Robin Harper: I will be praying for swift return to their loved ones. My heart breaks for you all. Anonymous ansley Siter Jodi Hudson james crouch CJA Jessica Rohlfing Ashley Woodard Anonymous Anonymous: Free these three American's who have done nothing to hurt Iran. Truly people who believe in their religion would know this is true and release them. Please release them which is the right thing to do. Donna Leslie: God be with them Jackie Hutchison Jocelyn Friel roe leaming Alanna Henneberry G. Stone Antoinette Blafford: Protect our American people. Jan Pechan Linda Hastings: Please do not use innocent human beings to further your political causes. Please release your hostages. Anonymous Anonymous Haley Wilson: Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. DAVID W. ECK: WERE PRAYING FOR THEIR SAFE RETURN. Smedge Wedgely: I wish all the best for these hikers. Elizabeth Weaver: I hope this has a happy ending. Anonymous: please free these innocent very young children, we beg of you for the sake of human kindness, wont you please. joe cooney Anonymous SANDRA VARJAVANDI: God would never want these people to be held because they were enjoying the beauty of the earth. Dennis M Adams: Is there any way I can communicate to the Iranian Government my displeasure over this situation? Anonymous: This is terrible. Hopefully these Americans will be released so they can be with their families again. Lisa Cacciatore: My prayers are with the families, and I am praying everyday for their freedoma nd well being!!!! KRISTEN KERR Donna Magarian Anonymous Roy Dimas: Do the right thing and let these people go steve griffin: Where is the strength and justice for these three? Anonymous Cheyenne: This is absolutely horrific and something more should really be done about this. Our government should not be allowing this to happen. My family sends their love to these people and their families. I couldn't imagine the heartache... Joe England Megan Townsend Pamela Boucher Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous anonymous Linda Adams Ryan Trost: God Bless these three individuals and please allow them a swift return. Maria M. Titko: Please let them come home to their families and loved ones. They are missed! Jon Miles Nicole Taylor Sherry Nettles Edwin Beechert: Shane, Sarah and Josh are not only fellow citizens but part of our American family. I pray and trust they will be released back to those who love them. Jonathan Klingler Carolyne Williams: Please let them come home soon to their loved ones. Thank you very much for having great compassion and understanding at this difficult time. S.E.C.: I would remind the government of Iran of the seriousness of holding Americans hostage, and of our committment to their freedom. The imprisonment of innocents is a beaurocratic villiany which should be stopped immediately. Wendy Leslie: Iran - Be known for doing the right thing...and the wise thing. I am sure you wouldn't want to be judged for doing something you later realized was wrong. Release these people now - these are people who would do the same for you and who would make sure they returned you to your families! Please do the same for them. Today! Michele Downer Anonymous: Please let these innocent people go! Anonymous: Sarah, Josh and Shane, keep strong. jason balk: hope you come home safely Prayers and Thoughts Are With You Pamela Anderson: Please let them go! Anonymous: I pray to God that you are released soon! God bless you all! Wendy Heather Smithson PAUL PANTERA Chuck Allen: These young people are clearly not affiliated with the U.S. Government. The Islamic Republic of Iran knows this. Using the incursion, whether real or percieved, as a way to provoke another country is not befitting a modern power. These three people have family and friends who care deeply about their well being and they suffer in a way that someone 8,000 miles away can't see. They should be allowed to return home. Iran would be seen as a benevolent neighbor instead of an adversary. Wendy Kaman aimee peer: praying for you all. kristen l smith John S: We send American boys over to do jobs for other foreigners jobs why not use our American boys to bring our American boys home? Julia B. Ellen Owens Zachary Mell Katherine Hennessy KETTIE ROBINSON Marion Wynn: I pray that you will be released David Anderson: While the laws of Iran may not be identical to those of democratic countries, the political leaders of Iran might consider the good that could come from releasing innocent hikers. The leaders of Iran do themselves do good by harming the innocent, nor should they allow harm to be done. Kari Pinkerton: Please free them. John McGrane: Let these innocents go. You can not gain anything politically from keeping them. God is watching you. Anonymous Patricia Lee: Please let them go home to their families . I beg this of you . MR AND MRS: HOPE YOU RELEASE THESE REAL STUDENTS. SHOW SOME COMPASSION PLEASE. frankie andrews: please release our friends. they have done no harm to anyone. they are still children. our thoughts and prayers are with all involved. Peg: Please return these young people to their families! In our country, people are used to freedom and actually do go hiking in nature without fear. They are not spys and should not be used as tokens. Ryan Downes Anonymous Quinn Jackson Lorraine Raymond Anonymous: With new information from the Belgium hikers, it is important that their release is expedited. Why can't a release like former Vice President Gore orchestrated for the reporter in South Korea? I would like to call on former Presidents Carter, Bush, and Clinton to execute a release. Isn't this a perfect task for the Carter Center or the Clinton Center? Please do not wait any longer! Joseph A. D'Amato: Having been a past teacher of Josh, I remember him as a student with a depth of character, and a lively intelligence.. To detain him and his friends without any evidence of wrong doing is a highly cruel and immoral act. Their release in the name of justice and good faith is necessary. Taryn: it was a misunderstanding and they should be released to the US Deborah Gaynor: Please have mercy and let them return to their families Aimee Judith Golidan R.B.: God Bless you. Anonymous Tracy Burgoon: Allow Sarah, Shane and Josh to come home. You are detaining three people who love the world and meant no harm to your country. Show the world that the Islamic Republic of Iran is compassionate and fair. Karen Vinson: We are keeping you all in our prayers. Myles Chiariello Toni: Please release the hikers in name of God. They are entitled to due process. David Decca: We live in very sad times when governments pointlessly detain three young kids on a hiking adventure. What's the message "Don't bike near us or we accuse you of being Jame Bond? The truth is it makes the Iranian government look not just over bearing and unjust but almost silly. This is serious stuff,I pray for their swift and safe return. Anthony Davis Anonymous Anonymous Cindy Anonymous Loreen & Mark: Sending Love and Light! Doug Wilson: Being American does not mean you are a spy open your eyes to the truth and let these people go back to there familys Anonymous Mark Perks: In the name of god release them now Alex Argyriou: The Iranian republic needs to understand that this was clearly a misunderstanding and a mistake. They should free the hikers, and to prevent further mishaps they should clearly mark off the Irani border. Anonymous: I hope Josh, Sarah & Shane get out of Iran ASAP and they do not deserve any dramas from Iranian government. Let them go home to their families and life is too SHORT!!! Ashley Bratcher: I beg of you to free these innocent hikers. This was merely a mistake. kelia miles Martha McCann: Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh. Allow them to speak with their families. Krystal Beachler: My heart goes out to the friends and family and hopefully one of these days the world will change. Tina Klami Anonymous: The situation here is a huge misunderstanding. It is quite obvious that a hike does not equal espionage. These people are children, friends, and family to their loved ones. I ask you to show these folks the same respect you would want if they were detaining your loved ones. We have all have compassion you are no acception. Please allow these families to have their loved ones back and refocus your efforts on locating real spies. Show us and the other countries watching that you deserve our trust and respect. To the families: I pray your loved ones will be returned to you immediately. I can only imagine the pain you are suffering. Keep your chin up and never give up the fight! Anonymous Anne Ledbetter: Show the world that you can have compassion and do the right thing by releasing them. Kevin Collins MARILYN MAGNET: USE YOUR COMPASSIONâ€”THIS COULD BE YOUR CHILD, SIBLING, FRIEND...PLEASE ! Sherry Simmons Anonymous Dr. Nadesan Permaul: Please free these young people from incarceration in the Islamic Republic. They made an innocent error and should not be treated as enemies of the people or the government of Iran. Please let them go. Anonymous: Please free these three young, peaceful travelers to their families. They meant no ill will to Iran and their families and friends are longing for their release. Lisa Lamantia Rita Emmenegger: As a mother of four adult children, I can only imagine the pain and anxiety the parents, friends, and families of Shane, Sarah, and Josh are experiencing. Please release these young people to their families. Ricky Dehart John Bettencourt: Portuguese-Americans concern for our friends...... Thomas Fox: I really hope that Sarah, Shane, and Josh get to see their families very soon. It hurts me to think that they are incarcerated at an Iranian prison for something they did not do. These people need to be released now. This is a miscarriage of justice and the Iranian government needs to realize this and take necessary and fair action; to release these hikers. Anonymous: I Pray for their quick and safe release Anonymous Emily Korman Anonymous Rey Adamik Courtney McCorkle Anonymous Amanda: please free them Frank J Kara Joseph: Our thoughts and prayers are with these young people. Anonymous Steve Silverman Kathy Vendel: Please free these young innocent adults and allow them to return home to their families. Teresa Carnevale: Please allow them to come home. Have mercy on these souls. Judy Greer Davis Ashley Jacober Anonymous: GOD created the earth for all, not just for one! Kenny Kaufman: Free them. This is horrible. Anonymous: I pray these young folks will be released promptly and returned to their loved ones. Keep hoping and praying. Never give up. Anonymous: This is an extremely tragic situation, and I can't believe how corrupt the Iranian government has become. They have no respect for human rights. I hope that these people obtain their freedom very soon. Dr. Ricky L. Johansen, Jr., Ph.D.: Free the hikers within the next two weeks or face a nuclear bomb being dropped on your country by private enterprize!! We will bomb you back to the stone age if you do not comply immediately!! Amy Janis Walker Rose Paszkiewicz Jacob and Ashley Ledford: God Bless these three people! We pray they will remain strong and the Iran government will let them go so they can reunite with their families! Connie Ickes: God Bless to the 3 hikers that hopefully will be released soon. Anonymous Liz B.: Do the right thing, and let the innocent hikers free. david cherry: potus, send in the army rangers to rescue these kids!!!! Anonymous: Shane, Sarah, and Josh- I cannot imagine how frightened and lonely you must be feeling. Please know that folks from around the globe are thinking of you and yours'. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, and I do hope the Iranian government will allow you to return to your homes safely. Sincerely, Meghan (Boston) Jake Scruggs Melissa Bollinger: God Bless Shane, Sarah, and Josh as well as their families. Maria Brekke: Please give them their freedom. Anonymous Anonymous: The people in Iran's government are monsters. As if the ludicris charges arn't bad enough, why are they denyed due process? This is not the path of mercy, grace, and justice that the koran teaches at all. It is nothing but Tehran's typical paranoia and hate against the western world. I hope the Iranian people continue to rise up against them until Iran is a safe society where people like Sarah, Shane, and Josh can visit without the danger these extremists pose to their safety. This is nothing but hate. Be strong you guys. Come home soon. Andrea Fernandez Ashley Tittle: I hope the Iranian Government takes a look at all these videos from their families, and all the signatures, and find it in their hearts to release Josh, Sarah, and Shane. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and their families. Anonymous Anonymous William Carter: :( Anonymous Michelle Finn: Please free Shane, Sarah and Josh! They are not spies, they have great respect for all cultures and societies. They are just hikers, please show compassion and release them now. cindy kondos: peace and freedom to those so innocent.let them live their lives free to enjoy them w their families friends and loved ones..Curious people should not be punished James Carney Anonymous Anonymous Melissa Edwards Marlene Allen: Please free the hikers and send them back home to be with their familes who miss them terribly. Dawnya Sturdivan Hannah: My thoughts are with Josh, Sarah, Shane and their family and friends. Come home safely and quickly! Beth Brondyke Anonymous: Your true and loyal friends are working very hard to get you home. JosÃ© fernandes: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,they comfort me. Melissa Kayla Berry: My hope is that these three stewards of education, the environment and life are released from imprisonment and allowed back to their lives prior to this unfortunate accident as quickly as possible. Its hard to believe that they have been held for 6 months without any U.S.-Iranian governmental resolution Michael Best Brenda Maxon kait meehan Christine R. Udland: Let all the positive energy and light of the entire Universe be on each and every one of you and all and your families, this will prevail and they will be brought home safely for it is the right way. ~Namaste~ RICK HUNTER: Iran please send them home. I don't know them,but I do know hikers they only wanted to see the world. They ment no harm, They do not pose a threat to you. Let them return to their families. Holly A. Dawson Megan Danya R. Lynd: FREE THE HIKERS!!!!!!!!!! Scott Armstrong Sr: Iran needs to release these young folks. Iran like North Korea have these un-seen borders, and it appears they wait for someone to step over the line. They could have just told them to turn around and go back the way they came. Iran and N Korea need to join the 21st Century, and start getting along with people. God Bless the three Americans, God is with you. chris sommer riley Chris Comstock Stephanie Wilson: Release these American citizens, they have done nothing wrong and you know this as well. If you had solid ground to stand on there would have been a trial already. I pray for these 3 amazing people who deserve to be treated like they are human rather than a pile of garbage that you can throw into a cell and forget about. I pray for you 3 and will keep you in my prayers!! God bless you and I hope you have a safe return home! Anonymous Anonymous: I pray that Iran choses to demonstrate compassion and end what can only be torture for the families of Sarah, Josh and Shane. For Sarah Josh and Shane, I pray you find the strength to endure your situation with the grace you have demonstrated through your obvious appreciation of the gift of life. Clark Johnston Kelly Mailloux: I hope they are released soon to their families. Christopher Smith: Your in my heart and prayers stay stong we'll get you home Luke Albert: please release The Three of them. We all want the three of them home in their U.S homes safe and with there loving familys. Jennifer R. Laura Seeback: Compassion regarding Shane, Sarah and Josh, please! Anonymous Tom Lally: I do not know any of the hikers however, noone should travel this beautiful world in fear of detainment. Please free this prisoners and bring them safely back to their loved ones. Dominique Rupert: I couldn't imagine if it was one of my loved ones. Hopefully they release them soon and they return home safe and sound!! Paul carpenter: Although they may seem like rich spoiled American kids, I believe their hearts were in the right place and they had absolutely no sinister intentions. Please let them go home. Sebastian Pasco Grace Tracy: I pray that your children are released soon. It is the only compassionate and right thing to do. Brad Capelli: My family and I have followed this story from the beginning and pray for the release of Shane, Sarah and Josh. L Oestreich: These people need to be released and sent home. They are not guilty of spying. Deborah Huizinga: I pray of their release soon. Our goverment needs to step in, and let the young adults talk to their familys. And a Attorney and demand that!! Anonymous Juliana Medeiros Gemma Rapone Lisa Weiss: Please free these young people. They have done nothing against the Islamic Republic and show compassion towards fellow human beings. JOHN KOONS: I don't claim that any government is free of corruption but I have to ask, what kind of God would condone this kind of treatment of anyone whom he created? I don't see a Creator's will being done here. It seems a God would love his creations but what I'm seeing is a lot of man-made fear. Is God and the Islamic government so weak that war can actually threaten their existence? This doesn't make sense to me and I'm sure it doesn't make sense to these peaceful prisoners. Allen Zippro: I hope the three of them can make it through this unfortunate ordeal and wish them and their families the best of luck. My prayers are with you! kathy stevens Pam Padgett Anonymous Ilene Pratley-Watson: Sarah, Shane and Josh are in my prayers to be released from what was these three beautiful kid's traveling adventure to a private hell of six plus months. Unthinkable. Please release them before they are damaged beyond repair..Stay strong S, S & J! Pat Godwin: I see no other reason for the Iranian government to hold these people for nothing more than to see how bad they can hurt the American people. Let them free! Jennifer Betz j l flick ken keegan: We, the signers of this petition, are representative of the people who care about these people, though most of us don't even know them. Please release these young people who only want to explore this beautiful world. Iran can raise their standing in the world's eyes by this simple but very important gesture. lindsay davis: I pray you are released soon and will do anything i can to help secure your release Crystal Fox Arlene Santiago kelly janelle byrne Carly Ronna Neal: These are young kids. Most kids this age are naive and are just thinking about having a great time with their friends. This has to be a mistake. We are all human and everyone is not out for hate even in todays world. Please do the right thing.... Please don't hurt these kids. Kristin Callahan: I have been praying for all of them so they get home safely. They need to get released. They have done nothing wrong. Praying for them always. Amanda: I pray that they are released safely and I pray for the families of these lovely kids. crystal mathews: thoughts and prayers are with shane, sarah, and josh. i do not know them personally but i can only imagine what they are going through. pray for release. Vince Cimoric: While it is somewhat of a relief to hear that Sarah, Josh, and Shane appear to be in good 'physical condition,' these innocent civilians must be suffering severe mental anguish for crime(s) they never even considered committing! Also, if Espionage is truly what they are suspected of, and subsequently being detained for, then each 'suspect' is entitled to legal counsel and due process. May God be with Sarah, Josh, and Shane. Cassie O'Conner: To the Islamic Republic of Iran: We pray you show compassion and mercy to these three American hikers. We understand and agreeâ€¦ they indeed exercised poor judgment hiking so close to the Iranian boarder; however, it is obvious and quite apparent by now they are not spies. In addition, you must realize they meant no harm to your country, your people or Islam. They are simply three curious adventurers who became engrossed and captivated by the beauty of your Country and Northern Iraq. The only thing they did wrong was to stray too far. For the past six plus months, these three hikers have suffered dearly and have been punished enough for their ignoranceâ€¦Do you not agree? We understand why your government detained and questioned them; however, we cannot understand your justification for the continual detention and charges your Country has brought against them. We believe Shane, Sarah and Josh are guilty of somethingâ€¦ we believe they are guilty of naivetyâ€¦guilty of forgetting about your distain for the American peopleâ€¦guilty for being Idealisticâ€¦guilty for hoping and believing one day we may actually co-exist together, peacefullyâ€¦.Peacefully doing right by each other....Peacefully respecting each otherâ€™s cultures, beliefs and differences. Please, please reconsider dropping your charges against these idealistic, innocent hikers. Your humane decision to do so will be recognized and held in very high esteem and regard by the American people. Jackie T. Kensey Daly Audrey Zoeller: In a world where we are supposed to be civilized...you can bet if we were holding people from Iran and treating them that way....that things would have happened months ago. Where is our government in all this.....taking too much time. Anonymous Anonymous Shirley Manship: Please let them come home! Lisa Thomas Shari Van Jindelt Frank Harper nora grazer Deborah Miller Bradley Bader anonymous marc fechter Diane D'Alessandro: What a shame to just want to witness beauty & be captured...our hopes & prayers are with you all. Anonymous jayme vose Kyle Udland: Freedom! Diane Lynn Smith Greg Jalbert: May all beings be free from exploitation and unjust imprisonment. Rasmus SchrÃ¶der: May all Buddhas and boddhisattvas be with you and help you in this critical situation. I will pray for you. Anderea Kurowski Anonymous: Quit using these innocent people as political pawns, Iranian government. Anonymous: Be strong they will come home the Iranian government is not unreasonable. Marc-Olivier V.: SolidaritÃ© depuis MontrÃ©al. Cliffsull Amy Bodden Bowllan: To whom it may concern and with all due respect to your people: Please release the hikers. I pray for their safe return home. I am a mother of two children and spent many days praying. I hesitated in writing, because I did not want to negatively impact their release. But the more I read about their situation, and the compassion that the Iranians have by nature, I thought I would give it a try. Please help these people to come home. Sincerely in grace, Amy Bodden Bowllan Anonymous intrpd04: Hold on! Susanne Baker Megan Pavel Berlin Emily Johnson Shasta Rose: Please release these innocent Americans. My prayers are with them and their families. Anonymous lynda isenberg Teresa Trowbridge: I'm praying for the release of Shane, Sarah and Josh as well as peace between the United States and Iran so this does not happen again. Anonymous Edie Gadelman Lise: FREE THE HIKERS!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa DaSilva: Free the Hikers Now! Heidi Bigelow: Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh so they can return to their families. Anonymous: Free these people we all make mistakes. They didn't mean to enter Iran. They are not criminals at all release them or else you will pay if anything happens to them. Don't F with the U.S. Anonymous: let them go free we are praying Thom Seaton David E. G. Boyle william birchall LW Teal Darlene Boyle wayne point: Free these young people, show your national pride by doing what is right Richard Rossner: Release these people now. It is the only decent, civilized thing to do. Allah: I must insist you release those citizens that are of no importance to you. Terry Rubett Garcia Ryan Scoby: These three are innocent and deserve to be released, especially after about 6 months in prison. This is unfair, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal are obviously not spies. Anonymous Sandy Kallas: LET THESE CHILDREN COME HOME Anonymous Mrs. Baxter: Our father who art in heaven!!!!It's so sad to think one day you're on an adventurous hike an then u become capative and not understand why!!! LET THESE PEOPLE GO, LET THESE PEOPLE GO, IN THA NAME OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!!!! Anonymous: My name is Nigussie Kule and I am writing from Ethiopia. What I want to say is please release the prisoners. They are not spy as you label them to be. Just for Iranian Gove't, I hope you do understand what the release of these folks woul mean for them and their family. Please we beg you as a huma. Just release them! They have suffered enough. freddie mark suttles Sherry: Do not know these folks, personally; however, this appears to be a gross miscarriage of justice. My prayers are that Shane, Sarah and Josh are allowed to come home soon. Liz Moseley: Please do not steal any more time from the lives of these young people or deprive them of their families. Dale Ray Joel McDonald David S Harrington: Unreal... Jim Monin Anonymous Connie Paron Kelso Cynthia Patience Kathleen Switzer: Praying Kathleen Switzer: Praying Paul: What is the State Department or President doing about this? Anonymous: God is with them Sam Piccoli William Robinson Anonymous Edward Bauman Anonymous Ester Ortiz: These are not the right people to be jailed. Release innocent please. Anonymous: How can you imprison 3 young people for crossing an unmarked border and prohibit them from contacting their families or lawyers, without any evidence that they were intending to do anything illegal? Let these young people go immediately. Please! Anonymous Gillian Hart Michelle Kay Jeffrey Erway Marisa Falcigno Max Caven Mike Lyons: I am thinking of the all three of the hikers, and sending them the best energy I can. Sarah Stewat: Please release our 3 hikers that clearly had no intention of any wrong doing. After 7months it has to be clear that crossing of the border was an accident. Tommy Wonder, The Blind Guitarist: im blind Anonymous: I hope they'll soon return home safe and sound. Harriet Baker Svevo D'Onofrio: Please free our friends! Anonymous Tom Flowers: Iran: God and the world are watching Iran; show mercy and free these young people. Show the world that the government of Iran can be good. Thank you. Valerie Gorra: I do not know these hikers but after today, I will not forget them. Friends, family, and strangers alike will not give up until they are home. I hope that officials in Iran do the right thing. What if they were your kids? nora benyamin Saeed Mohammadi: I feel the pain and wish and hope for the release of the hikers.>Feb-01-2010 Paula Niran Stella Maris: Please reease this kids . I have a son their age and equally unaware of political rules or boundaries, stounch believer this earth is for us all to love and roam Mason Lehto Kristen Wilmer Chiara Gabrielli: please free our friends!!!!!!!!!! it doesn't make any sense. Freddy Khalastchi Sharon Theodore: I hope those innocent hikers will soon be able to join their families. Lily Golan Lorenzo Jauregui Chia: Please return home these people. Jessica Lee: Please let these people come home. Katie Raffel Anonymous manny tenenbaum Bert Figone: PLEASE PASS THIS ON.ALL AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW OF THIS. Carole M Ellerkamp: May your higher power keep you safe! vrm jessica schumacher Anonymous Anonymous Gail Wick: HOLD STRONG! Please look to your hearts and release them. shawn daly Charles Timman: Iran needs to show that it is a compassionate and reasonable country. It is time that it stood on the world stage with dignity. Iran cannot do that if it continues with these types of trumped up charges. Fran Laks Isaiah Fisher: My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you. Dorothy Dinoto Chris Glad BossTon: Trust God!! You all are in my prayers! Amelia jessica rosenberg Teresa Grant Liam Baldrige Anonymous: Please resolve this issue as soon as possible. These people need to come home! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: God protect you guys on this journey and give you the strength you all need. God bless you. You are all in my prayers. Jesse N. Civello: We must bring our fellow American's home. Our government must do more. Janice Thurston: I wish for their freedom as soon as possible. Eliza Kenigsberg: FREE THE HIKERS! RESIST INJUSTICE! Anonymous Patrick Lucero: More should be done for these three and leave the politics out of it. Alana: Please free the hikers. These people had only good intentions, they have done nothing wrong. Anonymous Thea Carlson shoshanamaslan Anonymous: They need to come home now. Gary Goldwater Kelly Weet Stephanie Kaufman Clifton Ross Stacy Cox Amber Kleine Natalie droomastad: Free the hikers! Shane Honkanen: Sarah, Shane, and Josh meant no harm by unintentionally crossing over the border into Iran 6 months ago. Please let them return home to see their friends and families again. Anonymous Jon Fujiwara: Please release the hikers. Mary Kaye Harlan j ornoy: This case looks very bad on Iran. Free the hikers! Jack McCall Anonymous Dan Bennis Joyce: This is one world - we are all human beings. The Iranian government should show understanding and humanity and let this people go home to their loved ones. Samantha Schaefer Gloria Jauss Anonymous: Someone do something please! Chuck Langman: My prayers go out to you and your families. Please remain strong! Kristine Youngblood Robert O'Dowd Donny V: It's time the US Government stepped in with unrelenting diplomatic strength. Jamie Harp Dave Adams: Iran is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Simply release Shane, Sarah and Gosh. Please demonstrate that your country is capable of great things. Spend your energies building a better world. kristy sellimger Anonymous Lisa Medoff Melanie Penrod Nancy Farmer-lanz: These hikers made an innocent mistake. Americans are united in asking for their immediate and unconditional release. Marlene Jassy: We have never met these 3 innocent Americans ,but ask for your compassion in having them immediately released. Jodi Kerr Anonymous Crystal Holden George Shotz Anonymous: Please free the hikers! becky fox Dina Savarise Noel Charlotte Berkowitz: How painful to plead for mercy for young people of goodwill whose only crime was to have unintentionally entered Iranian territory. Paul Kim: Please release our friends who have made an innocent mistake. mahmoudreza: I'm iranian and i'm so sorry about them. i believe most of iranians are with you in support Sarah, Shane and Josh. Anonymous: elkins park native and current world traveler, please free these kids. its just ridiculous that people around the world cant get along even to this degree of not im[prisonning people for making a mistake Aaron W: In our world people travel and seek adventure... why is Iran choosing to punish those who exercise their freedoms?! Miles Orion Butler Ryan Ross Brian Jones: Please free these innocent people. Their family and friends miss them very much. Laramie Carlson John Aiello Deborah West: Please afford these people the same courtesy they have shown the world through their education. Please release them now - they should be able to see their families and their attorneys. Anson Biller Cassandra Millspaugh Mariah Hardiman Anonymous Larry Winiarski: There is nothing to be gained by holding these 3 . Please let them go and gain some goodwill. Thank you Bev Biller Anonymous: Our thoughts are with Shane, Sarah, Josh and their families. Please show compassion and release them so they can return safely home. Andrea Johnson: These people are children, friends and siblings. Please let them go back to their friends and family. They made a mistake- please let them go. Dara Mueller: Shane, Sarah and Josh inadvertently crossed the unmarked border into Iran. They meant no harm, they made an innocent mistake. Please free them. Christine Tamez Nery Castillo-McIntyre Jacqueline Sullivan Anonymous: I know Sarah and she is not a spy. She was just on a hike. Please let these three go. Their families are sick with worry about them. Think how you would feel if it were your children being held incommunicado in a prison. Fahad Azam Michelle R. Mendias: Please free these innocents. They meant no harm and had no intention of entering into Iran illegally. Please show compassion and release them to their families. Please send them home. Haley Herrmann neil hallinan Michelle Ross Laura Klivans jon e hasper Jane Thornton: Please allow these hikers to share the beauty of your land with the world. Allow them to go home to their families and speak kindly of the country of Iran! Marilyn Terrell Ryan Campbell: Our thoughts and prayers are with you!!! Come home sooon!! Leng Fratini Phil Bryant Fabiana Signorini Marie King Kyle Henry Anonymous Anonymous Adam Axon: Innocent people caught up in war & conflict. It's a familiar story. Mr.Ahmadinejad you alone have an opportunity to see it doesn't have a familiar ending. Do the right thing. Diane Huizenga: Our prayers are with you. Anonymous John Naujoks Sandy: It is an outrage that American citizens are being held this way. Many prayers for tham and their Family's Lauren Gallagher Tom H. Hastings: Iran, this should be easy for you to do if you wish to gain in legitimacy. Each day you hold these young people you earn international disapproval and the opinion of your government is hurt. JOE Anonymous John Clark: It is time for the world to stop fighting. This is a mistake that can be used to show the compassion of the country of Iran. Amanda Hardy Anonymous Anonymous Ron Miguel Kara Brodfuehrer Kristin M Sarah Downey-Gimenez Tammie Hart Teddi Jackson: Please release these three friends. They mean no harm to your country or countrymen. Gray Cargill Moremi Akinde Phyllis Roth Carina Karen Byars: With respect to the Iranian government we ask that you release these three young Americans to their families in the USA. This was a hiking vacation nothing else. They are greatly missed by their families and communities. Jane Savarise MIichelle Schusterman Anonymous Franziska Satzinger marissa abramovic Anonymous Vern Rimney: Godspeed ! Anonymous Trevor Wright Cindy Cardinal Lewis Breese Tom Gates: Please. Anonymous: Iran needs to release these three AMERICAN CITIZENS, post haste! They did nothing wrong. Pvt. James Newman Benjamin T. Halkier Anonymous Scott McKinstry Dan jj nevin MIKE NEVIN: May God speed their quick return to their families and loved one. Timothy Collins: It's sad to see young men and women, who are obviously trying to form an opinion and appreciation of different cultures, treated in this manner. I wish them a safe and expeditious return home. Anonymous Nathan Moskowitz Jared Barkley: Free them, for the sake of their families and of the love and support of thousands! Anonymous Andrew Naysmith Sean Dray: Goodluck! Anonymous Mia Gil Epner Anonymous Anonymous Daniece R. Mitchell: Praying for the safe release of Shane, Sarah, and Josh!!!!! Christine Garvin: Please allow these hikers to come home and don't make their lives a political lesson. Benjamin Schleimer Julie Hamilton susan johnson Joseph Jester: Free our people Ahmadinejad. No trading for 11 people with highly questionable backgrounds. These three people pose no threat to your national security, unlike some of the people you are asking for in return. Do the right thing. Alayna McCarty Leslie Brennan Valerie Towe: I cant believe i am just finding out about this, and i Live in California. My thoughts and prayers go out to the 3 hikers and there families. Ruby Clift Chris Johnnidis: I can only imagine how I would feel if my family were in this situation. Thank you for being courageous and proactive, setting up this website. To the people governing in Iran who might see this, we as a country might not always live and act in the spirit of MLK, but many of us as individuals do try -- please do not confuse innocent individuals for imperfect unions. "That old law about Ã«an eye for an eyeÃ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing." Eda Altiok Aman Dhillon Will Brillant Fred Baker: May the blessings be. Anonymous Jordan Crawley-Edwards: I pray that these three innocent souls can be returned home to America. They meant no harm by intering your republic. I think that you [the government of Iran] shoud take pride that three Westerners were interested in the natural beauty of your portion of the world. They meant no harm, and certainly were not agents of espionage. One of the hikers is a cousin of a dear friend of mine, and I know his family is going through a very tough time trying to get their family member back home. Think about it from the opposite perspective. I am certain that there are those who are detained here that you wish could be returned home to Iran to be with their families. I know that we are in a tense situation, but please...think with your heart. I know that you are as human as I, so I know you are fully capable of doing so. I know that I am an American and my credibility is automatically subverted, but I beg of you to allow these three to return home. They mean you no harm. Paul & Hansje McHugh Charlotte Ireland Marie Jimenez: I pray that you will find it in your hearts, and in your mind to release these three young people who meant no harm. No one should be punished for an honest mistake that hurt no one, not your country or your countrymen. May peace and love prevail. Candice Walsh Erin Woods beverly makrowitz Rebecca Kenny Ariel Caldwell Cathy Garver Anonymous: Western public opinions stare with amazement at Iran's disrespect of individual liberties. May the past history of the Persian civilzation be recalled to the present government of Iran, letting this country access to the role it should play, but for dictatorial enactments. Free the US citizens shamefully retained in Iran. Elizabeth Brown Kinu Grove: We are praying for your release. Sema Bayla Silvia M. Diaz Takumi Yamamoto: Please free these people. Eventhough we may not know these people, let them free. I may be 14, but I have opinion on many things that are based on politics. This is not politics; they are people on a trip. Iranian Government, think, be a nice person; if you can. Let them have their freedom. Stephen Chlond graham wignall: Release these people and let them come home! Amanda Johnson Alicia Jones: My husband went to school with Josh and says nothing but good things of him. It is my hope that Iran will release the hikers so they can return to their families and loved ones. Conor Hagan April Anson Linda Andersen: Shane, Sarah, and Josh you and your families and friends are in my prayers. Stay strong! Caroline Raynard jim&andi cummins: free josh ,shane and sarah amopsyday Andrew Mattocka Christine Reynolds Sommer Roy Belcher Peter Zwick Rochelle Slifkin Sej: Free them. Anonymous Lisa Thiemann Joanna Derickson Ruth Lawyer Tara Roth Jerald Darnall Rebecca Banwell Yessica D'Angelo Frieda Bruck Anonymous: Stay strong. Know that millions of American's are praying for you and to get you back home to the liberties that makes America great. Gloria Semke: Releasing these tourists would be a sign of good faith from Iran. Ruby Miller Leslie Hanlon Rachel Gilligan: My prayers are with Shane, Sarah and Josh and their families! Mike Schaedle Anonymous laura veirs Kathy Brown Matt Smith LuAnne Johnson John O'Dwyer Anonymous Anonymous Natalie Anonymous Lauren Betke: You are in my prayers Erin Jameson Elizabeth Sarah Anonymous Freddie Amanda Steinhauer Ward Bauman: The God we all worship would ask of us to show the same compassion the He bestows upon us. In God's Name, please consider the human pain and suffering that is being met upon these three young people. Do not let them be pawns in the political struggles of powerful nations. Show them God's compassion and mercy that Islam reveals to the world. Kayleigh Brasher Brian Dennehy Anonymous: Thoughts and prayers to Shane, Sarah, Josh and their families. mike sudell lisa grkman Anonymous Howard Winant: To release these three would be an act of justice and mercy. Hannah Williamson Corrin Leontiev Jack Kovaleski: My sympathy goes out to these people. I hope my signature can help! BÃ¡rbara Anonymous Robin Seif Zachary Harris Anonymous Susan Wipf Jenna De Francesco Tom Pratt Rich Chavez St. Lawrence Outing Club Liz: Release the hikers. Build empathy with families around the world. Joe Reiley: Mr. A, Come on! Release them! By holding them you are doing what Israel would do! Please show that you are better than Israel!!! Their govt. is only liars & war mongers & they have the US govt. in their back pocket but you know that!!!!! SUZANNE GRANGER: YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS. Andrew Ross: Please free these hikers. This has gone on long enough for them and their families. Chelsea Gibson Anonymous: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh. I know that you know these three people are nothing more than young people living their lives to the fullest by seeing the world while they are young and before the settle into careers and family life. All young people are adventurous. You should be happy that they find the countryside so beautiful in the areas near your country. I'm sure your country is beautiful as well but we can't visit your country without permission and we Americans are very aware of what is right and what is wrong and we would not violate what is wrong. The three young Americans just wanted to see the beautful countryside they heard so much about. Please do the right thing and let them come back the the United States of America soon if not immediately. Thank you for listening. jeanne bruns: Iranâ€™s political manipulation of this situation is alarming for every international climber, trekker and traveler. Everyone must speak out against this outrage and show support for those whose curiosity of the world and sense of adventure make them the leading cultural explorers of our time uniting the world by sharing our common experiences. Julia Santiago: Sarah,Shane,and Josh Im sending my prayers for you and your family we all want you home! Joseph Kozak Anonymous eyeofh James Cruey: As we Help the World Please Help us. Return these people to their Families. Belinda Chambers: Shane, Sarah and Josh are missed by their families and friends. Please send them home where they belong. Katie Stime jeff morrison Abigail Perkiss Anonymous: These U.S. citizens need to be returned to this country immediately. Jessica: I am hoping for the best!! Josh Camhi Randy Spallinger Jordan Stanton: Thoughts and prayers for a swift return. Mary S. Toothman: It is not too late to do the right thing. Please. Anonymous Amanda Higginbotham Austin O'Harra Frojon Banwell Patrick Byrne Erik Demmers Tonya Tober Tami Fridley Colleen Cahill: My thoughts and prayers are with the hikers and their friends and family. Sheila Theriot Milad Hamanaka Shigenori Anonymous Matthew Huntley WIlliam Wallace Christina Carpenter: United we stand. C Hayes Lando Samuel Elliott: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." - Optimus Prime Nathalie Heil -Pollner: You are all in my thoughts and prayers for a safe journey home. Anonymous Jusitna Nichols: Please exercise compassion, kindness and release Sarah, Shane and Josh. Please send the hikers home today!! Anonymous kellie warner Paulo Sousa A. Newman Gillian Smith: In the spirit of goodwill between the ordinary men, women and children of our countries, please release the three young travelers, so that they may return to their homes and families where they are so sorely missed. Thank you. Randall Smith Anonymous Elina Peronius Anonymous amanda Beverly Woomer: I pray they will be released soon. God be with them. Dominik Eckardt Lynda Bertinetti Sharon Wisinger Stephen Appel benjamin mbaziira: I feel your pain. i hope they come back home soon. Christine McKenna Dorothy Meyers Barb Kandel: We think about you every day. Tobias Bergmann tomm moore Chandler Wheat: Please allow these adventure hikers to return home soon, bless the poeople of IRAN that worked with their government to allow these poeople to go back home. Anthony Pasqua sherry Kerr: They are just hikers...not spys. Javier Aladren Eve Cohen: Hope your loved ones are returned home shortly & this only becomes a bad dream. Vilma Lieberman lorraine glickman: My heart goes out to the hikers and their families. Please free these kids and get them home to their families where they belong. Anonymous: These young people are innocent of any wrong doing. They are truly INNOCENTS. They were trusting and naive when they went on their hike, seeking only a waterfall and a peaceful walk. Please release the innocents to their families. Miranda Hendrickson Anonymous Sally Raevennan Husbands: Sending Angels to all three hikers, and their families. Safe home x brad schuler Louisa Stickel: These young people need to be freed and sent back to their homes right away!!! Anonymous: We must free these innocents, as we are all related to One Universal Power of Love and Peace, regardless of our own individual denominations/paths. We must show compassion and support to our fellow brothers and sisters who are wrongfully detained in this political game. Let there be Peace on Earth! Free the Hikers! Brent Manley Anonymous Albert Agbayani Mark Owens: Please release these children ASAP. My question is why would Iran hold these children that clearly not a threat. Why are we not hearing about the govenment of Irans request to trade prisoners. Why is America holding Iranian citizens Koby McCauley Anonymous Anonymous: I pray for their release and your compassion. Anonymous Linda Lane Brian Morsberger jen laporta: do not use them as political pawns!!! FREE the HIKERS now! They were only HIKING!!! Kelly Morrissey Anonymous Kambria D Faucett: I pray our government will not stop until Shane, Sarah and Josh are released. This has gone on long enough! Jen Gonzalez Lulu Ann Bernardich: Please let these young people go home. Anonymous: Please allow Shane, Sarah, and Josh to speak with their families before you release them. Genna Duplisea Anonymous Malachi Graham j taylor Mary Leary: People need to be with their families. Please release them. Ali Convery Lora Colby Fernanda P. Amaral Matteo Iannelli Anne Weisman: I am a CHS alumni. So sorry your family members are caught up in this. I am glad Trudy Rubin at the Inquirer wrote about your story. Rikard Rehnbergh: Free the innocent three NOW! Cecilia da Mata: Please, free the innocent hikers! Christy Chow MICHELA GIOIELLA Britney Christensen: PLEASE free the hikers ASAP!!!!!! Nelson W. Wicas Maggie Brown Anonymous Anonymous Mallory Hughes Anonymous Angela Hadley: My prayers to the families and friends.Please remain optimistic. Rumeli Snyder Michael Patterson: And even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despite, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. aeschylus Erika Cortez Melinda Warner: Error in hiking judgement has been punished enough. In the name of the most merciful, the compassionate one. Matthew J. McGuire Tessa Schroll Erna Rosemond: May God bless you all and bring back Sarah, Shane and Josh home where they belong Brittni Elliott Anonymous: Please release the hikers and stop using them as pawns in your war games Anonymous Jessica Vaden: They should be freed sooner than soon. They have been imprisoned for too long. If they fault was entirely by accident, they should be free. Free the hikers! Lisa Lim: Free our friends! Brenda Rossow Robin Mangini Daron Margene Petersen: Show compassion Iran and send the three hikers home to theri families and friends. Natalie Robinson Simon Piatek Adrienne Bill Kloster Ava Leigh Gill Browne: May your goodwill shine out to the authorities responsible for your detention. May our support give you strength to endure until your release. Don Milley Liz and Bob Solms Anonymous Rachel Brown Adam Lundgren Sarah Paulsworth Cristina Crowell: My prayers are with your families. Anonymous tamera Snodgrass: all my love to you. Many prayers for all. Adam Bruder Anonymous Kate Zephyrhawke: The Iranian government knows perfectly well they meant no harm. Rachel Buxbaum Anonymous Mike Sinclair: Good Luck! Julia Gahnstrom Emily Ames Ian Hanger: Crossing the border was an accident, nothing more. Let them go! Vanessa Romotzky Tey-Marie Astudillo Anonymous Michael Honer Emily Sudd Anonymous Sanjay Pinto Tyler Derosier Anonymous Melanie Saxe: On behalf of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, we ask that you please release them because they did not cross your borders intentionally. We understand that sensitive nature of this ordeal, however we ask that you release them to come home to the United States. Maddie Flood: Keeping you all in my thoughts! Michele David: We wish peace for all and anxiously await the hikers' return to their families. Rachael Aldam Chris Jenkins Anonymous: The Iranian officials responsible have acted wrongly thus far, so here's hoping that some justice is done and the innocent hikers are released. There was no ill intent! anonymous: free the innocent hikers. you are violating your own laws. Felicity Aulino michael Fisch: More people need to know about this. And more pressure needs to be put on the Iranian government. Christina Warinner Anonymous: Please free them. They were obviously just hiking and didn't mean anyone any harm. Anonymous Anonymous mONIQUE DUBRAY Anonymous: In this progressive age it is hard to understand how any country or anyone can be so near cave age in their thinking and running of government unless they are mentally ill such as Hitler was. Katie Hymans: Please free these three wonderful and peaceful people who have no reason whatsoever to be imprisoned. Amanda Brown Maria Claudia Echavarria Terrie Shawn Stroud Rebecca Golden Bridget Hanna: Sending love and hope for Josh, Sarah and Shane! Jarrah Al-Buainain James Coyne Jill Bay Federico Perez Joshua Wichman Matthew Liebmann Michelle Provence: Please come home safe!!! Jordi Cumber: Please understand that what Sarah, Shane and Josh did was a regretable mistake that was not of their intentions. They were merely exploring beautiful landscape. What has happened is a tragedy, please have mercy on them and let them go home. Erin Conner Anonymous Brian Bishop Laura Swirsky Dave Prosser Anonymous Kimberly Sa'ed Atshan Danielle Nickels Meredith Ricci: Please allow Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal to return home safely. Every person deserves to be treated as a human being, not locked up for months without a trial. No person should be used as a means to an end. Please keep the politics to policy-makers, and do not punish citizens who have only tried to bridge the gap between us. Emily Williams Amanda Busse Laura Goodwin: Compassion is the way to save our planet. Show compassion release the hikers! Linda Stafford Toby Lee Michael Herzfeld: Keeping hostages to political fortune is not the action of a responsible nation-state that desires to be taken seriously in the larger world. It is to be hoped that the Iranian authorities will cease to act in a way that does them no honor and invalidates any claims they may make to speak for any oppressed people elswhere in the world. John T. Anderson Jr. Alicia Lindblom Susan Hilton Nicki Quirk Ethan Stewmon: Holding these people hostage is an outrage. They are detained of a crime: the crime of exploration. They did not pass the borders of Iran knowingly. I ask two things: 1) the full cooperation of the Iranian government, and 2) the support of the American government that these three individuals need. Cameron Stauder Nicole Winchester Anonymous: I am giving a speech on this tragic accident. I hope that more people will join this worthy cause in the hope of the release of these three hikers. Kathy Willingham: The Iranian government must do the right thing and allow these students to return to their homes. Michael Rush: Please, in the name of Allah, have compassion on these obvious hikers and free them. clary Anonymous: My heart and soul goes out to the familys and to Shane,Sarah and Josh.I pray for there safe return home.May God bless you all for your thoughts and prayers for these familys. Charles Hanlon Anonymous antonia sjostrom Olivia Andy Kreamer Anonymous Noelle Owens Arab Resource and Organizing Center: In solidarity. San Francisco, CA Anonymous: God Bless you Jessica Carlson Ray Choiniere: I find this situation appalling and a disgusting action against American citizens. It's against their human rights, not only as American citizens but as Citizen of Earth. It's an atrocity that needs to come to an end, by bring these people home, where they belong. Anonymous Anonymous: I know the officials of the Iranian government will be able to realize that they've simply made a mistake by detaining these hikers-one that is easy to understand in our troubled times. I also have no doubt that they will be able to step up, do the right thing, and send these young people home where they belong. I know too that the world will respond will praise and thanks to the Iranian government once they've done what they already know they must. My thoughts are with Sarah, Shane, Josh and their families at this tragic, terrible time. This too shall pass. ellen jennings Kerry Wilkes: Come on, We are Americans..Lets Do Our Thing and BRING THESE KID'S HOME SAFE! Naomi R. Cox: Please help these children to get home. barbara rupp Felipe Potter: Free the hikers now! Aome St. Laurence Bob Victor: These guys have suffered enough...please show some compassion and let them get on with their lives. sandra morey: Sometimes we find ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. I found this to be my case when I was a young person. Some of us are curious and interested in exploring our world and have no ulterior motives. Beauty draws us and the desire to explore a waterfall or a high pass are irresistable. Hikers are often in this situation. Please release them to their families. Sophie Ficco: Don't lose hope Hikers x Luke Hoy Andrew Clark Russell Bither-Terry Anonymous Miguel: Please release these people back to their families as soon as possible. Anonymous Rogelio Quintana: Please Free The Hikers! adam Michael Midnight: Iran, please show compassion and understanding, and release these American tourists who wandered lost into your territory! Kellie Thomas Robert Duran Kelly Edgson Anonymous saraparker caterina palpacelli Emile Cohen John Jangard Kristin McWade Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous James Glasgow: Please Lys Stevens mdkfjufi Cole W R: As an American, I greatly respect the Iranian people and their amazingly rich culture. Please take the small step towards peace and release these innocents. Jacob Snoke Rabia du Saint Robert Boynton Carl-Lykke Pedersen Katherine Phillips ohanna Fornberg Douglas Hines Sage: The world has much cruelty in it and this is a completely unnecessary act of cruelty against innocent people. Please release them and use your energy for better things. Anonymous Carly Anonymous: please count these votes! Anonymous Anonymous: Please get home safely and soon! June Caruso: Sarah, Shane & Josh & the country of Iran are in my prayers for a peaceful resolution Lee Newkirk Anonymous: let them come home ............ no reason to hold them... Anonymous Connie Vanderhulst Ben Kohanim Rosa Lopez: It has been about 200 days since my 3rd son was born. I can only imagine the pain you all are going through. May God take care of your kids... Hopefully this petition will go through... Rebekah kleiman Chloe\' Escobar: SIGN THE PETITION and FREE THE INNOCENT HIKERS! Let these hikers be released so they can go back to their loved ones! Keep these hikers in your prayers for their release and their safe return to home. Sincerely, Chloe' K.S. Hayfer: Please grant them the ability to speak with their families and allow them to plead their case. brittany arundale kortni taulabee cynthia Hoffman Anonymous: Please free the hikers. Thank you and God Bless. Anonymous Jamee Boone: I will pray for their safe return home soon. God be with the families and mothers of these children. Bless them!! Chris Boone: God Bless You all in this time of need. Kathleen O\'Connell Jonathan Paz Carol Harber enfolselog Melissa Andrews: Please set these children go home to their families! Thank you! Anonymous Deborah J. Johnson Chelsea Bear Laura Maxwell Stuart Olivia Poblacion Scott Spark Beth Rogers: My prayers are with you all. Keep the faith. Leanne K.: Please allow them to come home to their loved ones. What if it was YOUR child? Anonymous Anonymous Ali: As an Iranian youth, I'm deeply concerned about the three young hikers who've been arrested in Iran and I'm so hopeful that they'll get out of jail really soon and get back to their friends and families. Lisa Vaughn: I will keep you all in my prayers. God Bless you all!!!! Jesse Stanley Anonymous Tricia Wind Amanda O\'Neill: I pray for the safe return of shane, josh and sarah and I also pray that while they are away, the three of them are being treated with respect, dignity and compassion. I pray that a good soul watches over them and keeps them from harm or danger. I ask god to send a hoard of angels to protect them and keep them safe. I also pray for peace in the hearts of all who know these three young people. KP Barbara Hayes: Please release these three whose only guilt is a love for hiking in beautiful mountains. Frode Gulla DALE KEWITZ Anonymous Julie White: Please release these hikers. It seems to have been an honest mistake that they crossed the border. Their families have to be going out of their minds with worry wondering if their children are still ok. It has to be terrible for the three that were captured. IIt all just seems so unreal. Please do what is right and let them go home to their families. Wanda Arndt: Prayers for the safe return of the hikers. Marcia Sadowski: Please allow these young people to return to the families who love and miss them. The people of the United States would be most grateful. Amber Walsh: This is just wrong. People have the right to their freedom. The iranians have no right whatsoever to abduct innocent by passers. The war must end. Eric Garcia Miles Howard Kathy McGinnis Harrison Muskat Anonymous Igor Nicholas Chambers Anonymous Green Movement of Iran: I hope the crazy government releases these guys soon. This government is a disgrace to almost all Iranians, except for those who provide the means for these criminal acts. On behalf of: Green Movement of Iran Anonymous Reza Alavi HRB: As an Iranian, Iâ€™m REALLY ashamed of what Iranâ€™s governors are doing. Surely these guys are innocent and I hope they will be freed as soon as possible BRANDT LEVIN,MD Navid: i just wanna say to their three parents to do every things to find their children in safe because they are just like a victim for my local government actually it entertains U.S gov to be more cautious about iran so you ( sarah.josh.shane) parents dont have to be worry about your children they will be free however it might takes long time..wish best for you Cheryl (Arndt) Hochstein Daniel C. Eller Anonymous Tara Baker Anonymous Braedy Tritthart: Free the hikers!! Let them go home to their families!! Anonymous Brian Raczynski Helen Hood Ela Tokay Michelle Elliott: Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. Clay Lindsay Scallan Anonymous: I heard the mothers on NPR this morning. I thought to myself this could be one of my friends in this situation. My heart breaks for everyone involved...my thoughts and prayers. Godspeed to you. cami Megan Lowry: Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh to their families. Christine Doggett: Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. ~Seneca Melissa Markley Ally Gardiner EMILY HILL Kerri Griffis Darren Donahue Danielle Blansett: Please return these people to their families. Nicole Fiore: Please release them. Joe Ballweg Chris Krohn: We must stand up to the current illegitimate Iranian government by negotiating, talking, discussing how we can all live in this world together. The hikers freedom has to be a priority in US-Iran relations right now. Ken Schwilk: Please show compassion and release them. They mean Iran no harm. Thom Lufkin cassidy taylor Marianne Power Andrew Raheb: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families! Stay strong in spirit and mind. Nicole Kathleen Johnson Natasha King Allison Holaday: Please release them, they accidentally hiked into Iran. They are peace loving, very open to other cultures and religions people. Anonymous Anonymous: Keeping you in our prayers Lauren Danner Brooke M Williams David Deveaux: The Iranian president knows very well the real situation. He intends to use our brothers & sister as political pawns. It is the American government he is angry with, and he needs innocent people as leverage in his scheme. He is under heavy pressure for going nuclear, and could use a distraction and a few chips on his table. I don't like him, but he is playing like anyone in his shoes would. We need to make a prisoner exchange. It isn't fair, but it is the right move. What isn't fair is Shane, Sarah, and Josh spending another day in jail. Sympathy will get you nowhere in Iran. Things don't happen because you cry about it, or care enough. They crossed an invisible, but still illegal, border. Now the Iranian Pres has three prisoners to exchange. It is that simple. I hope for a quick release. Ian Haines Shamus Thornton: Solitary confinement is very cruel treatment. Let's all write letters to our congresspeople to bring these young people home. Ken Turner: Treating the hikers as pawns in a political game dishonors and degrades Iran's place in the world. Marina Certo: This is nonsense. Let they go back! Anonymous: These people should not be used as pawns in whatever unnecessary tensions are present between the US and Iran. I hope they stay strong. Scott A. Yoos: I'm in complete agreement with this release effort. (It's a well-known FACT of Life: "Accidents happen. Mistakes are made." ) -I pray that the gov't. of Iran recognizes this gaffe, and brings this ugly matter to resolution SWIFTLY & SAFELY; ...FREE the Hikers! Kelly Pitts Dana Barnett: Please let them go. Janet Jordan: Hikers are into the whole natural world, not the borders of this or that country. They love what they find on both sides of the border. They are not a threat. Katie Schorr Lindsey Crifasi: Be safe! I'll be thinking about you! Denise Stadelbacher Amber Rane Sibley Amy Anderson Lee Liddle: Please don't continue to punish these young people for the errors of their government. Melissa Ruisz Jon St.Laurent: These young Americans must be released or charged with some formal crime. The posture of the Iranian regime is unacceptable and in violation of all civility as well as international law. Iran should not allow the charge of "Rogue State" to be founded. Shane Hunner Atilla Akdemir: These people are just innocent hikers. And trying to use them as bargaining chips is just shameful! Nellie B. Sires: To the People of Iran: You live in a country that suffers economic and political sanctions because of the perceptions of the west toward your leaders. You're holding three people who did not buy into that image, you are holding three people that are part of a future of peace for this world. They are well educated, open minded and kind people. They are not your enemy. They meant you no harm and you know that. Please show that you are better than what the Americans say of you. Prove them wrong by doing the right thing. Free the hikers. Thank you! Eric Horstman Anonymous Donna Mitchell Pat D: These young people are good, compassionate people and should not be in prison: they should be out in the wider world and spreading their idead of peace and justice. Sambhu Agarwala Anonymous Julie Wexler Sammeka Barriner: Free the hikers please. nansi cnorum: please release these young adults..consider the heartache of all the families involved and how would you feel if they were your own! stephanie Raser: I heard the mom's on Democracy Now today, how heart breaking for the family, the hikers sound like wonderful people who just want to make a difference in the world. They don't appear to be bad people. They just want PEACE, like a lot of us would like to see. Please let them FREE!!!! They are being taken from far more important work they were trying to accomplish. IMAGINE PEACE!!! judith martin James Cashin Steve Wider: As a Swiss Citizen, who highly respects the Sovereign Nation of Iran, and would NEVER condone any type of CIA or Military Actions against Iran, I do plead that the Iranian Leaders release their captors who are innocent of any abuse of your laws. There are many of us in America who WANT total World Peace, and I, as a Progressive Green Party Representative am ONE who wants to be at Peace with Iran. And I do NOT Support our Wars either in Iraq or Afghanistan. Can't we ALL just Love each other, and solve our disputes at a Table across from each other, and NOT with Guns & Tanks? Please just let these innocent young people go, because I am QUITE sure that they will NEVER step into Iran again, unless invited to! Sincerely & with Peace, Stephen A. Wider Swiss & American Citizen http://www.peacepilgrim.org/ Paul Brown 3rd Dan Kugler Nate Goldshlag Leah Conroe-Luzius: It is past the time that these three young people should have been released. Do the correct thing and release them now. Allison: Please free these beloved persons. Anonymous Heather Redden: We pray for justice not excuses in the name of politics and power. jesse baldwin: don't give up! Jessica Cissel Diane Tighe: Just heard Shane and Sarah's mother on the radio. My prayers are with them. stephanie roesler Lana Abdulla David Sanchez: I would hope that the Iranian government,would not hold Sarah,Shane,and Josh responsible for all the horrible and dispicable crimes that my country has committed against Iran,the entire Middle East,and it's people.Please in the name of justice release them.Thank you. Anonymous Joanne Rees, Ken and Christopher Luchini Ramona Ramirez Susan Westervelt Anonymous: Please do the right thing. These hikers deserve their freedom. They need to be back with their families. What is happening to these people is straight up inhumane. David Pittman Rebecca Burns Anonymous Randolph Hencken Suzanne D. Harvey Anonymous: In releasing the hikers, Iran will show its civility, which is a trait much of the Western Hemisphere feels is nonexistant. In showing civility, mercy, kindness, and fairness, Iran may set a new precedent in diplomacy with the United States and create a climate of positive change for both nations. Not freeing civilians who are peaceful, and pointing the finger at the transgressions of the United States as an excuse, reinforces the negative stereotype American's harbor towards you. Please free the hikers. Scott Brainard JUDY PERTHEL Peter Greenwald: I heard the two mothers on Democracy Now this morning along with Tutu's statement. He summed it up as best as anyone could. Liz Sanderson: Iranians: these three US are kindred spirits. Please read their work. Gary Semer Eigo Komai Jody McVeigh Anonymous: I pray to God that the hikers are freed. They are innocent of any wrong-doing. Their families miss them, and want them back desperately. May the Iranian govt.realize that these young people are harmless and set them free.This is sad indeed, and I pray for their safe return. It could be anyone's child or loved one. Reza babak: Ø¨Ù‡ Ù…Ø§Ø¯Ø±Ø§Ù†ÙŠ ÙƒÙ‡ ÙØ±Ø²Ù†Ø¯Ø§Ù†Ø´Ø§Ù† Ø¯Ø± Ø¨Ù†Ø¯ Ù…ÙŠ Ø¨Ø§Ø´Ù†Ø¯. Ø¯Ø±ÙˆØ¯ Ùˆ Ù‡Ù…Ø¯Ø±Ø¯ÙŠ Ù…Ù† Ø±Ø§ Ø§Ø² Ø§ÙŠØ±Ø§Ù† Ø¨Ù¾Ø°ÙŠØ±ÙŠØ¯.Ø¨Ø§ Ø§Ù…ÙŠØ¯ Ø¨Ù‡ Ø¢Ø²Ø§Ø¯ÙŠ. Krista Heinrich Josh Deane Ronald O. Smith Tamara Zwinak: I am appalled that three US Citizens whose only intent was to hike in the wild, are being treated as criminals by Iran. To deny them contact with their families is inhuman and a violation of UN Human Rights. Iran's treatment of these three young people is only showing the world that Iran is hostile to the US and never plans to accept human rights, even in the international community. Iran has demonstrated once again that it is an uncivilized country alone in a civilized world. CW Davis Megan Oleson Keith Forrest: If Iran believes in peace then why not a good gesture, free Josh, Shane and Sara Tony Peng Danny Ledonne Tom Berry: In the name of peace and humanity please release these compassionate people. Valerie Costa Anonymous: Please release these nature lovers. This is an unfortunate event and one that we regret as respectful people on different cultures. James Anderson: Don't make these three brave individuals suffer anymore beause of internecine disagreement between Iran and the United States. Please release them. Koorosh Persian: Don't Worry... They Will Free soon. Freedom is Near. Down With Islamic R.Iran Judith P. Ain Kristine Johanson Anonymous Mayola Rodriguez converset christian: Please let them go back home Anonymous: free the hikers ! Aria mascaro Nathan Guerin: 6 months!? This is wrong. Andy Rowles Jonathan Manser Samra Girma Nicole Soll Nicole Soll Cort Butterfield: it is a outrage! If it were up to me the United States military would go in and TAKE our hikers back. It is apparent these young men are not spys, terrorists, ect ect ect. If they are harmed in any way Iran would be made to pay for they act of war against American citizens. Enough is enough! The American government - GO TAKE OUR BOYS BACK! Anonymous steve Jaques Alexandra Murphy Lindsay Walker: free the hikers!! Shane, Sarah and Josh are in my thoughts and prayers â™¥ Nina Stamatiou matthew grant Ordell & Gene Nelson Anonymous Lizzie Ambros: Sending my love Shane, Sarah, and Josh as well as their families. Let our voices be heard. Sarah B. Appel: I hope that now that this issue has hit close to home people will sit up and take notice of the injustices that face this war torn country every day. John McGowan: One planet, united. Raejeana Grose: Sara, Josh and Shane are peaceful adventures that by accident. stepped on some forbidden land. They have been held captive long enough, for no reason. It is time they are released to come home casey powell shorthouse Anonymous: Please allow these hikers to have contact with consular services. I am sure they just accidentally crossed the border. Aaron Sherman Kenneth Searby Anonymous Jackie Alles Alex Leff: YEA! LET'S BRING 'EM HOOOOOOOOMEEEEEEEE!!! Aaron Price Jeremy Murray Sig Molo Colin Camp: My sister was friends with Josh. Bring them home! Anonymous Anonymous Zachary Clouse: FREEDOM CONCURS INCARCERATION. Richard Rizzo Maayan Saad Leah Katzelnick eva rivkin allison Chyanne Payne: Bring them home safely.. Raya Cooper: how would you feel if you couldn't see your children for 200 day, knowing they are alive and want to contact you but can't? i would feel very bad. please let them go. Heather Martin sandra morey: As a hiker myself I know how powerful a beautiful waterfall or ridge can be. Sometimes we find ourselves where we shouldn't be. I hope you will consider the beauty of your high mountains and how they can draw those who seek beauty. If the trail they were using strays over your borders, it should be rerouted. Christina Frueh: I share the deep hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion in this unfortunate case and release Shane, Sarah and Josh as soon as possible. Jennifer Bryant Liz Schroeder: It is an honor to know that I am assisting in the freedom of these captives. Joseph Glenn Ballantine: I really wish to free the poor hikers from Iran. They will be in my prayers. <3 Nyeem Hayes: <333 Brynn Clements Quadirah Locus Conrad Rein Kathy Greene: Please free these 3 innocent people. There is no reason to keep them there. They are missed not only by their family and friends but by all the people they were helping on during their travels. Anonymous Michael Spalsbury: Please ... Anonymous: fucking jail, we have to stop it Maria Michalos: Heard of this terrible injustice on Democracy Now! Release Sarah, Shane, and Josh to their families! Anonymous Guillaume Dejardin Anonymous Roshan Kumar Barbara Wright: Please do not use these three young people as political pawns. Shane, Sarah and Josh were merely three people in the wrong place at the wong time. We protest their prolonged and wongful detention and the fact that their families and legal counsel are not permitted to have contact with them. Amanda Henry: Sending positive thoughts for your release! Michelle booth Amanda Anttila-Oza Keisha Saunders Memarie Christoforo: If we keep pressing for their release, one day it will happen. Shamus Finnegan Orlando Rivas: God Bless and Godspeed to Sarah, Shane and Josh. Cassandra Webb Malik Utendahl valentina Michelle Lesmerises Anonymous Kristine May Teri Mary Keck Anonymous: Please find it in your hearts given to you by the merciful Allah let them go. Anonymous Jenny Lopez: Please show compassion and return these people to their families. Antonella Di carlo Anonymous: Please release these people without harm... Roger and Barbara Genung: We are praying for you. GRACE DRUMMOND Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: age 61 eco-friendly no-car "I am a stroke survivor and deal daily with a speech disorder called Aphasia. This disorder is a result of my stroke in 2005. http://www.azimagery.com/stroke/ http://steetsblog.blogspot.com/ good god - good family Rosanne Gregory Anonymous: They meant no harm. Please release them. Give thanks. James Steele marta palermo Nora Smith Ariana Vodra Ralph MÃ¶llers: Stop kidnapping innocent people for political reasons! Saima Baig Anonymous: please let them Free! Please let them free! Miu Castro Paiva Salina Lauren Patti kirby taylor Matt Niedz: This whole thing angers many of us. So what are they waiting for - a confession of some sort? Can the families visit them in detainment? K. C. Higgins Paola Gonzalez Paola Gonzalez Traonah Patterson: â€œDum spiro, spero (Latin), "While I breath, I hope"â€ Luciana Raquel de Medeiros jonathan shuman: let these people go i think they have learned their lesson to be more careful of crossing borders unknowingly Therese Vizzard Clarice Guttmann Aaron Thompson Ana Flavia de Abreu: Freedon please to the hikers. Anonymous Jane Winkel: safely and swiftly ~ free the hikers! Elizabeth Ingenthron Sasha Brown Pete Eakle Pam Hall: I do not personally know these three young adults, but I am a mom myself, so I understand the worry, concern, and heartache that their families must be feeling about this. I join others at this time in asking the Iranian government to PLEASE release these young people so that they may return to their families. And until they are safely returned, please allow them to call and talk to their loved ones. Thank you! Kay Lucas: These young people should be released. They are being retained to prove a point to the govenment, not because they have harmed anyone in Iran. Anonymous: Please free these people !!! Let's live in a free world !!! Shahram: As an Iranian born and US citizen, I truly believe that these young people are innocent and will be released before this Winter. The fine for entering the country without a visa is clearly defined in Iran's law. If they were spies, they would enter the country from legal ways. What they did is not more than those British marines that were captured within Iranian waters last year. We will pray for their release... Lidia Marchioni Anonymous Hailey Nick Parisi Carlos Wotzkow: Inform everybody of the danger of being too naive, and lots of families will not pass by these terrible moments Keenan Faison Anonymous: Give them their rights Bird Levy-Strain: For all the families of the hikers, they are in our prayers and we hope for a resolution to bring these kids home, our hearts go out to you and we remember them and will not forget them!! frances l. andrews Anonymous Melissa Gittelman: Please let them go they were not in violation of any law Chris Keener Susan Steerman Christian Habiba Muhammad Rebecca Barnes Anonymous JJ Lapin Maja Bernstein Jacob Weitzman Judy Lee: If they get out, I'd suggest for their next vacation that they not sail along the coast of Somalia. matt schafer Cathy Geisler: Why isn't our country doing more to protect its own people from a very unforgiving government. The world should be open to any people who want to see it; not afraid to go anywhere in it, for fear of retaliation and hatred. Where is the love????? Ghazal Yosef Eva Bernstein Anonymous: I recently heard about what happened to the three journalists on the radio and it broke my heart. I'm sorry it took this long for the news of their detention to hit me. I feel even worse that they were taken on my birthday of last year. I'm writing a paper on the subject for a Human Geography class I am taking, it's not much but hopefully more education on their behalf will help in some way. Natasha: Although we agree every culture has their own legal system, they should be able to contact their family member, at least so they can ensure that the due process is being respected. Kelly Pack Anonymous Golnaz Farsi Beth Feingold Aimee Auclair hali panneton: please allow their parents to visit them in prison and/or talk to their children on the telephone. they need to communicate with them to ease their worried hearts and minds. thank you. Sean Bobbie Anonymous Shannon Moskal Jerome Hinds Amin Elijah Neil Schroeder Scott Weinstein Anonymous: Free the Hikers. Lets these kids come home to their families. Arielle Shoap-Hall Michelle Robinson ellie kaplan Bari Blackledge Michelle S: We'll do whatever we can to find them and bring back their freedom Dave Tavani Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno: I believe that the release of the hikers would generate gratitude and respect from the world community. Aileen May Max Lefton Anonymous: Please release these hikers. They were traveling in peace, and had no intesion of causing any disrespect to Iran. These hikers made a mistake and just want to get back home to their families and their lives. Ana Slavova Slavova Ari Flaks Anonymous Emily Leibovitz Elliott Lewis, Principal of Cheltenham High School Melanie Berry Thomas H. Hasty Anonymous: THey are so brave and I hope they stay strong! Anonymous Lori Cohen: Thinking of all of 3, and remembering Josh in my 4th grade classroom. Come home safely and soon! Katie Kring-Schreifels Lilly Trinh Shari Lynn Bence: Iran's release of the hikers would be applauded during these times of international strain. Anonymous BJ Stuetz Megan Ellis Jamila Colquitt Anonymous Desiree Halpern Anonymous: Josh is an Alumni of the high school i attend. PLEASE FREE THE HIKERS! we have announcements everyday on the loud speakers and will continue to do so until the release of Shane, Sarah, and Josh. I am praying for the families. Jenny Oswald Sage DeRosa Anonymous Alyssa Abel Jenna Stern: free these 3 young innocent people, they do not deserve to be held and belong back with their families. Keilyn Rivera Leland Cohen: Josh used to live in my neighborhood. I don't think I have ever met him, but I know his parents. I really hope they get out soon. Jimmy Custer Anonymous Sarah Lerner Emily Downey: Everybody at Cheltenham High School supports you, and wishes you the best Jeremy G: Please let them come home! Dorian Garbutt: Find your way. Anonymous Sarah Keeny: LET THEM GOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Allison Hawkins: Let them go!!!! Liz Heimann David Grant Adam Fisher-Cox Sami Goldberg Bradley Campbell Anonymous Callan Malerman Amanda Malerman Beth C Anonymous: free them! Allison Carlson: I hope you friends and family are brought home, I show you my greatest sympathy. Good luck. I hope for the best, and you have my support Peter Bresnahan Anonymous Anonymous Burton Horn Anonymous: They've spent too much time away from family and friends. Send them back. Andre Hartman Kelly Hoag zach lipschutz Mykl Ambros Jenny Becker Grace Picard Michelle Dandane Matt Lawlor Emily Rose Devon Cook: I heard one the hiker's brother speak at our high school today. You could here the sadness in his voice, Please free the hikers Anonymous jessica kuronen Anonymous Brigid MacArthur-Thompson Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Rebecca Noble: Open your hearts to your fellow human beings and free these innocents. Compassion, love, peace Anonymous: My prayers go out to the families at this time. I am praying for the hikers safe return home. Be strong! Atia Zamichieli Melissa Lindekugel Dwane Scott Patricia Jay Lee Chloe Sigal Caroline Roberts Anonymous Jamie Lawlor Yvette Torres Nyla Helgason: In an act of humanitarian and international goodwill, please release Sarah,Shane and Josh and return them to their families. Anonymous Nancy Falkow Sierra Lawson Alburr Al-Hameed: I strongly demand that the hikers be released and allowed to return home to their families. No one deserves to be imprisoned unjustly, and if they have been imprisoned, they should be allowed contact with their families. Anonymous Natasha Kapadia Barbara Lawrence charlene bastians: Love peace empathy xxx JoAnn Heck: It is my sincere hope that the government of all countries involved can come to a mutual understanding, realize that this was only a mistake, and send these young people home to their families safe and sound, where they belong. I sure hope someone is listening to our pleas. lisa Triebwasser Mollie Jackson Anonymous Rahul Prajapati Anonymous Ashley Kim Bianca Caban Alexandra Michael Mandly Katrina Bynum Matthew Woodson Anonymous Ally Danta Anonymous Sam Ko: There's absolutely no reason to hold Shane, Sarah, and Josh as detainees. Please release them. Emily Anonymous: Please release them. Steena Chantharath max martin Timothy M. Johnson Yianna: let them come back home. this is horrible. they should be allowed back! hey can be only heald there for 90 days. this is completely absured. Anonymous Dana Kluchinski Evan Segal Anonymous: STAY STRONG!! Anonymous Sam Spector heidi ormond: Please send these young people home to their families in the U.S.A. They are young and meant Iran no harm Kelly Rickard Benjamin Hammond Elene Tremblay: There are just kids, no arms done, let them go. Anonymous: Please, have a heart. Nancy Lieb Cynthia K Brett Brooke Sandefur: Thinking of you guys.... <3 Leah Cohen Ellen Friedman Dana Saad Anonymous Anonymous joshua cogan Carolyn Brown LENA SHIBUTANI Anonymous Anonymous Beverly Kirk: My prayers are with them and their families. May God bring them peace and return them home to their loved ones. I hope that our Government will also intervene to bring these 3 people home. I'm sure they pose no harm to Iran. Bless you all! Dina Zaret MEGHAN HUANG Aliyah Lustine Lauren Wilson Cody Onufrock Cheryl Cain Anonymous: This is an outrage. Free these innocent kids immediately! Kelli Schmitz Kelsey Bodor Meredith Brown dexter Scott Anonymous Sarah Kathryn Brown: I hope these people are returned home. They havent done anything wrong liza brazil marcose brown Emily Bilodeau Jim Batchelor Anonymous Kathleen Painter: Please honor what is fair and right. Liam Golderer Alexandra Seifert Tom Kuchler Robyn Perry: THEY'RE JUST KIDS!!! PLEASE FREE THEM!! Sophia Michelle Ky Madison Coyne Kasanrda David K ONeil Mark Jones: Could have easily been me. I hope that the hikers get home safe to their families and soon. This detainment is ridiculous and tragic. Christine: We must remember peace. Jennifer Desmond: Releasing Josh, Shane and Sarah would demonstrate the compassion of the Persian people and their government. In the interests of what is just and world peace, please release these innocent young people now. Marlene Golderer Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS!!! Anonymous: please respect the families Anna McHugh Mary Neeley Anonymous Benjamin Hood Sabrina Rutter: I hope that Iran will show the world that they are a caring and loving nation and release Josh, Sarah, and Shane so that they can return to their families who love and miss them every minute of every hour, of everyday. Seiki Tanaka Susan Boland Elizabeth Taliaferro Anonymous Lynn Hindermyer Christena Stevens Devin Hood Veronica Skabla John tompkins Jennifer Park Teresa Villanueva Jane Tompkins Danielle Horn Dan S rebecca nuhi Anonymous Alex Craig Adelaide Chen Melissa emily burton: i hope dearly that more action will be taken soon to safely bring these kids home. i plan to do EVERYTHING i can because i realize that this could have been me on my travels. Brittney Agger: My prayers are with Josh and his friends xoxo Randi Wall Denise Marks Eliav Ehrenkrantz maggie coyne Deb Kubes: God Bless Them David Turnquist Anonymous Kyle Hellendall Keith Zuckerman Preston Ball Enaja Grant Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Paris Johanson: I have heard alot about these hikers and the situation they are in and based on what I have heard I feel that more needs to be done to help return these hikers to their families and their country. The Iranian government has every right to question the hikers but the extent of their actions is unbelievable to me. I hope that this petition can at least open the minds of the Iranian Government and help them realize that the individuals involved had no harmful intentions and simply made a mistake in maping out their hiking trip. Nicholas Redig JOSEPH NICCOLINI, JR.: PLEASE FREE THE 3 AMERICAN INNOCENT HIKERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY DID NOTHING WRONG. THANK YOU, Abby Anonymous Nick Elia Anonymous Susan Schilt: Please show compassion and release Shane, Sarah & Josh as quickly as possible so that they might all return to their loved ones, Sierra J. Wright Patricia Moseley: Please release them. They did nothing wrong. It is a crime that they have been held for so long. It really makes me angry that our government has not done more to release these American citizens. Brooks Winner Aiyana Athenian: Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu- May all beings be free. Anonymous Allie Martin Anonymous Jesse Gildesgame Rafaela Uribe Daniel Loedel Maxime Billick Nyle Usmani Carrie Carroll: These are innocent young people, they should be freed. It is the right thing to do. Tony Perry Jim Palton: Let them go!!! Then remind them not to sail around the horn of Africa on the way home! Ashley Myerson John Keiser: Peace Peace Peace - please hear our peaceful pleas mrs.nj ahmadi Anonymous Steven Midzak Michael Barnett Bethany Alexander Mark Baldwin Harold Alfred warren beedle Sheena Bailey Nathan Apollon Alexa Albright Alix Macklin Sloane Macklin Stephanie Maberry: Please release these three humans soon. Until your country does, please treat them with compassion and respect. Anonymous Christine Corbett Moran Jess Weaver Luke Lamar Anonymous Francesca Perkins Lauren Speigel Kelly Keebler Anonymous Christopher Kan Arseniy Sheydvasser Anonymous Louisa Cannell Hannah Lev: God bless you. We are thinking of you. Anonymous Anonymous: Do to others as you would like them to do to you. Luis Beltran Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Brittany Heiring White Jessie Turner Alba Lucy Guerrero Amanda Blahey: Please understand that they meant no harm. They just want to be home with their families and friends, and they have no ill will against the Iranian Government or the people of Iran. Please let them go. Anonymous Athena Putros Anna Wolden: the truth shall set you free Rachel Schwartz Will Strupczewski Ari Heitler-Klevans Jason Heitler-Klevans Pranav Anonymous Brittany Strohm Jennifer White Anamaria Salazar: Please let these kids come back home! Breeanin Hansteen Anonymous Anonymous Nick Bernstein Anonymous David Simmons Rebecca Finn mike oh Mary Evans Becca Bassman Frankie McNichol MADI GARVIN Anonymous Christopher Fung EMILY GOLDBERG Emily Sachs George Grudziak: I go to Cheltenham High School where Josh Fattal graduated from. He was a wonderful influence on the rest of us. I hope the Iranian government will realize that this was completely unnecessary, and that they will come home safely. Over 200 days in captivity is completely unacceptable. Angela Koerper Alfred Verratti Lisa Gschwandtner Namita Dharia Peter Fonda: please let they free!!! We hikers are just trying to meet one piece of this world. And get connected with the nature. They don't diverse to be locked. PLEASE LET THEY FREE TO THEY FAMILIES!!! p l e a s e ! ! ! Murali: I think its about time they get released. Strength to their families. Becca Reeves Alice Lu Samuel Chen Melanie Ambriz: Have a heart and please make a good will gesture. Show us that the Iranian Government can be fair and just. Return these kids to their home and extend your countries hand in friendship as we are trying to reach out and appologize for their error. Hasn't their time served been time enough? Danny O\'Brien Doris Childs: In the interests of justice, harmony and peace between our nations, please rectify this terrible wrong you have inflicted upon these innocent hikers. Anonymous Melanie Jackson John Douglas: Enough is enough. These boys' families have suffered enough, and for what gain by the Iranian government? They would gain more by releasing them. Charlotte Pennella: Please free them, they are innocent of any wrong doing. Anthony Birdsong: Please Freethehikers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ian Rosenberg Will Kettner Anonymous Jack Bear Na Young Jeong Anthony Hughes Anonymous jeanette eckert Billy Morris Anonymous: yo yo i hike too and im fellin kind of blu so free my fellow hikers or we be comin after you Dana Eisensmidts matthew slesinski Ilana Silber Karin Rosen Anonymous: Please free them. Thanks. Claire Anonymous Malcolm Weston Anonymous Joel ROgers Anonymous Stuart G. Merle Chana Meyer Anonymous: I hope that these guys actually do get freed. They should get to see their families and be able to at least try to make their lives a bit more normal again. Anonymous Lesley Hazleton: "It is the Merciful who has taught the Quran." Kathrine Beck Bonita Jayne Martin harvey greenberg Mark I. Farber: Please show your humanity. Carol Levinsky Susan McGarvey Stewie Mills: God Bless You guys Fern Lambroza Hannah Lev garry feldman: Please do the right thing. David Broida: Please free the hikers NOW! Anonymous Andrew Simon: Immediate freedom for the hikers! Peace among nations. Patrica Buttner Nicolle Anonymous Sarah Hockert Austin Hockert Edward Miessner: I am concerned that Shane, Sarah and Joshed are being brutalised and violated in Evin Prison even as I type this. I have no reason to believe they are US espionage agents; if they were, they probably would not have made a distress call to a fellow private citizen who stayed put for the day. Iran should show the world that it is still capable of compassion and magnanimity by ceasing its holding them incommunicado and by releasing the three to their families as soon as possible. Claire Fusaro Mike Dolezal Ronni Eisenberg Amy Helfer: Please allow these young people to return to their families and friends. kira ogden Jay Cohen Tamara Cohen Susan Tanner Andre\' Tremblay Abigail Hesser: Don't be a jerk. Bill Wintringham geoffrey harris Anonymous: We are all praying for a safe return Robert Saltzman Robert Saltzman Lucila Agudelo Felipe Pinilla RÃ©gis Eve Anonymous Judith Claire Brennan Gomez Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: A goodwill gesture would speed the day when Iran and the U.S. could benefit from mutually respectful relations. Jane Simon Jason Jones Billy Suh Cherie Fox: Freeing captives is a religious principle in all faiths. aniyah threadgill: I think they should let them go. Iran know they were not spys. they just want to make things hard.i just hope the familys will hang on.and i will help out with what i can .be strong. Don Michelinie: Please free these innocent hikers. Caitlin Davis Caitlin Davis Narcissus Allen Mike Schaer Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Felicia Ellingburg Anonymous: Young people follow their dreams to explore the world and then to come home and lead a good life Anonymous Kim Khan: Please free these innocent human beings!!! Ronald Brown Anonymous: Please show mercy to these three. Miranda Shepherd Anonymous: Let's get these people home. We need to put some pressure on the US government to push harder. Another thing is to get their story out to the world. Getu Tad Marilyn Shesko Peggy Andersen Mary Detrick Sima Alizadeh: As an Iranian, I ask for the release of my childhood friend, Sarah Shourd, and her two friends, Shane and Josh. I beg for mercy for them and I ask the Iranian courts to be fair and humane and expedite their case so that the international community will see that Iran can and will treat these foreign detainees with civil and open proceedings. Please allow the Swiss Embassy to visit them immediately, as any civil government would continually allow. Please allow their families to see them. And I ask that you show compassion to these three wonderful people who solely made a mistake by entering Iran. These are not the type of people who deserve strict punishments or solitary confinement. These are young Americans who are different than the general young persons here in the US because they are sensitive to different countries and cultures. They do not represent a typical American youth. They are sensitive and wonderful and because of the fact that they have done humane work for others, I beg that they will be quickly released. vicki oleskey Sesshu foster: Free the hikers--- Mark Trush Edward Mattis ellie kaplan Karin Chernoff Kaplan Elliot Holin: in the name of compassion, please let them return to the embrace of their families Rebecca Schwartz: Hope the hikers can speak with their families and are able to return home soon. Vivienne Simon Simon Bonnie Aaron Cindy Lee: I hope they will be reunited with their families soon! Peter Kaplan Rachel Tilow William Hyman Kaspar Kristensen: This is insane! Sherri Johnson: I am a hiker, and it is so easy to walk across an unseen border... reading about this brought tears to my eyes... I imagine the families are going through hell right now... I only hope the hikers are not... Sze Wing Yu Karen Trush: Sen them home soon! michaela peterson Richard W. Fritz: My friend's wife was held for six months imprisoned in North Korea for having crossed the border into that country. I unfortunately, due to my studies of language in Oman, was out of my usual media access due to the change of life. I regret not knowing about her dilemna and feel poorly that I could not be there for my friend while his wife languished in prison. Amy Fried Bob and Judy Chernoff Rosalind Rickman: In stating a most URGENT matter, please set free these hikers -- immediately. Amalia Alvarez Cindy Rachelle Ashcroft Anonymous Chris Politis: Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 9 - No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Article 10 - Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. Article 12 - No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. There are more articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights being violated here, I just picked these three. Anonymous Anonymous Susan Hall: Please free the hikers. Dana Young Martha Livingston, Ph.D. Anonymous Anonymous Claudia Greenfield Miranda Levine Anonymous Mark Snyder Alissa Petrites Anonymous Sarah Glowa-Kollisch randy tallini: There is no justification for with holding from these people their deserved freedom. Sam Streitwieser MaryAnn S. Allacci Douglas Healy sparkle hayter Douglas Ament SC Raul Ruiz: Hiking is not a crime Bonita Heath Anonymous Anonymous Erika Burger Joan Ferder: Please free these innocents! Anonymous Marlene Rivier Anonymous Anonymous Silvia Gabriela Scintee Elena Alvarado Carolyn Healy: Public Health Research Consultant Tanya Choi JOYCE FERDER Anonymous Jessica Rau Hawa R. Hodyno Anonymous Jackie DiFerdinando Emelie Collet Anonymous Lennert Veerman Alexis emily hoffman Anonymous Robert Prince Claudia RodrÃguez Valencia: Please, release them! Lexi Riess Kimberly Harris Steve Bagwell Yolima Grandas Tess: Thank you so much for your help. tomas arteaga Vanessa Reid Kristy Kerr Elizabeth Mathiot Shawn Lafferty Christina Burgess carolina duran negrete: fuerza y fe...... barry auguste Gila Neta Megan Samit Doron Orenstein Allison Aaron Anthony Locicero Kathy McMenoman: Please relaease these young people. They have committed no crime. The world watches for signs of peace and cooperation from Iraq. Free the Hikers. kattie: may God bless you in times of trouble... Cynthia Browne: Please. Let them be released. Irna Senekal Dana Hall Alena Mack Edward Molush Sharanjeet Kaur Stacie Shapiro Gary Stockman Karen Cobble Anonymous: Not only will I keep them in my prayers but will also pray for the heads of governments to do something about it! Jean-Claude Paul Katie Mason: Please do what is right, and allow these Americans to be granted justice. God bless. Maria JosÃ© Casasbuenas Manny JImenez Lucas DeJesus jesykah forkash Christopher Cantor: Release our friends! This detention is outrageous. Cody Kauffman: best of luck to all three victims and their families Alexandra Youmans Anonymous Megan Kozelek Karen Wilson Adina Genn Anonymous Anonymous: I love hiking around the world, would love to go to all the beautiful areas which unfortunately happen to be in war conflicts now, I think these kids had a reckless attitude going to this part of the world, but I don't see any reasons for their incommunication and the prevention of their freedom and rights. Desiree Nelson Tasha Herrgott Dr Paul Butterworth Lade Coker Kamran Paula K. Dattilio Anonymous Kathy Bubb Alma Myers Anglelina Caitlin Haley Steven Steven Michelle Kodama Anonymous Anonymous BambaataBryant Meagan Papp: This is unfair... Let Shane, Sarah, and Josh go! Erik Gilje Anonymous: Let them go. Marie Brown: Free the hikers! Jenna Moen Melvin A Beck III: Yes Jennifer Hernandez Liz Tenborg Rhonda Spencer: Please allow these young people their freedom. Tracy Dees Ana Roberts cindy sands Kate Summers: Bismillah al rahman al rahim release Sarah, Shane and Josh. Jeremy Webb Judah Robinson Tyler Porter Anonymous Leora Saul Olympia Foster Larry Innes Anonymous Sten Vidar Wigand Anonymous Lisa dekermenjian Anonymous Anonymous Lauren Wiernasz Dane: can't believe they're still there, my prayers go out to them and their families Amirah Macon Adrianna Lynch Laura Macnamara Jackson Knight Eli Laban Donald Le Tasha Kuronen Kodjovi Kpetigo Paul Lyons Charley Cinque: FREE Wheatly Aycock Anonymous KB Deanna Catherine Berger Rebecca Penn Anonymous Jeremy Barker Plotkin Rex Webb Patti Kulesz Lucy Cosgrove Anonymous: I will pray for a peaceful agreements and a safe return home. Keep strong, Sarah, Shane, and Josh! Jaren Morris Erika Howell: If there is no crime that has been committed then you MUST release these 3 innocent people. It is unlawful under ANY God to hold people for this amount of time for a simple mistake. Allow them to return to their life and rebuild from this awful experience. Tammie Vince Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS!! Patty Guard-Parr: Jah Bless... Calliope Gazetas Paul Showalter Doug Borthwick Wendy Scott allen krueger: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh go. Susanna Barkataki: Please release our friends. Thank you for your compassion. Kristina Frazier: FREE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! Rachael Levy: I hope for the prompt and safe return of your loved ones. Hopefully the government of Iran will realize the diplomatic bind they are putting themselves in by keeping these people detained, and that Iran is only escalating tensions with the States through their reactionary and irrational actions. Nick White Sandy Eberhart Anonymous Kayleen Nutting Rebecca Reid Amanda Clore: Iran - Free these kids that are innocent and that made an honest mistake. They have done nothing wrong and deserve to be reunited with their families in the USA. Family is family and boundaries so not make that different in any country. To the families - I do not know you, but hope and pray your kids come home safely soon. Never give up until they come home. Know you have a lot of support out there even if at times you feel alone. Eagan, MN - Anonymous Jonathan Laughter David Hatch: Let them go Iran. Kris Fatze Stephen Kelly Anonymous: Iran, please use some common sense and return these innocent Americans back to their families, friends, and lives. Susan Printup: The world at large needs to wake up and realize what it's doing to itself. Prays for Sarah, Shane and Josh's release and safe return home... Hilary Klapholz Anonymous Mary Kehoe Barbara Michel Anonymous susan davis Chantelle Ball uma singh: Please free the hikers.They are hikers..and hikers only.They have crosseds by mistake.World is a beautiful place and i hope the hikers know this and don't stop hiking after they are free.You are always welcome to hike in India. Tess Baiocchi Ben Fortney: I dont understand why are government isnt doing something about this! Susanna Minichiello: Blessings to all. Josh brought lightheartedness, laughter, and lots of enthusiasm to make a positive impact on the world to the course we took together two years ago. It is a loss to us all that he and the others are detained. Please release the hikers! Samanth Falciatori Rachel Manili Rachele Manili Gerry O\'Day Leonard Piciucchi Giulia Morelli Niccolo Ragusa Giulio Fabrizi Valentina Giacomo Picivcchi Carolina Picivcchi Futura Rossi Mario Leonetti Benedette Giovanni Niccolini Frauceuce Cardarelli Simone Bonifazi Omar Galgani Andrea Albertini Letizia Turchetta Alexandra Monir Alice Api Caterina Slatimbanco Nina Walmsley Sara Maria Fantini Martina Antonini M. Giulia Messi Melisabetta Giodanelli Elena Martina Rueca Elena Testarella Deborah Bianchini Fedrica Hasini Silvia Messi Fedrica Burgo Benedetta Campi Livia De Paolis Valeria Fiori Federica Moretti Andrea Gobbo Matteo Mammoli Greta Biselio Samira Giovannini Sara Rossi Martina Confaloni Margaret Ferris Anonymous Lowell Tuttman: Please allow this group to return to their lives and families who miss them so much. Nancy Rothwell: My thoughts and prayers for all of you and I wish the safe and quick return of these three innocent children to their families and loved ones. Gino Stone: I believe Shane's, Sarah's, and Josh's actions were accidental in crossing the border and they should all be freed immediatlly after spending about 7 months detained Jeffpb: Please let these people go, they obviously didn't mean to enter into your country. Dariush shavonne glass Anonymous: i think that josh,shane,and sarah are great and they should not be going through this Melissa Buchanan Quintin Harrris Anonymous lori weber Tamara Richard: aww my hearts goes out to their families! Whitney Michelle Canard Anonymous Anonymous Mia Huolman Anonymous Anonymous Anthony DiPasquo: I taught Josh in honors Math at Cheltenham High School. Josh has always been a person of high moral standard with great respect for the world community. Iran has everything to gain by releasing these individuals and allowing them to return to their families. If they are released after your government has determined they accidently crossed into your country, it demonstrate to the world the respect you have for world citizens. Do the right thing and gain respect. Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS!! Anonymous: Let compassion begin here, please. Jessica Lockrem Anonymous Anonymous Dylan Wergelis-Isaacson Erin Thayer Dickson Anonymous Gordon E. Fleig: World opinion demands respectful treatment of travelers from other countries. These youngsters should be released immediately. Their families miss them, and I strongly support their requests to see their loved ones return home. Jake Kring-Schreifels Anonymous Tiffany Flores Daniel Ocampo Daza Julianna Carlson Sara Grachek Tyler Smith Anonymous: Please allow the hikers to return to their homes. They meant the government of Iran no harm. Margaret McFadden Smith Gabriella Meloni: Freedom for Sarah, Shane and Josh. Anonymous ARSENIO CUE Brie Petrain Hong Bui Anonymous Emily Lynch Cara Conroy Erin Lee Elizabeth Swanson Karen Conaghan-Race Anonymous Bob Hutchinson: The Iranian government only defeats themselves when they do things like this. They lose respect from all over the world, and once you run out of oil - be careful. Patrick J. McCann Nancy Ranieri Renee Hofferman Erin Kennedy bryanna b: i pray that the iranian gov. understands the mistake they're making by keeping our fellow friends wiithout cause or reason. Please, if you haven't, sign this petition and hope that Shane, Sarah, and Josh are released as soon as possible Anonymous: To the Iranian goverment: please take this opportunity to do the right thing. David Mills: Good luck, hopefully they will be home soon. God bless! Anonymous Brian Discount Colton Mullican: I pray that you find the compassion to let these innocent, brave hikers carry on with their lives. Peace be with them. Mary Fish: as a mother my thoughts are with these young people and their families Paula Tudorof Leonie Heuer Anonymous Rebecca Sarino K Benoit Matthew McIntire Rebecca Burdett Anonymous Pamylle Greinke Victor Goldberg oscar villar Amanda Dennis Harris Sarah Jeffords Joshua Taliaferro Anonymous SAMMY MUNYORO Janneke Bloem Marsha Squires: Please free the hikers. marni haberq Donna Hoggans: Being human means people make mistakes. It is my hope that your government will forgive Shane, Sarah and Josh for their unintentional mistake as they were hiking and enjoying the beauty of the landscape. They are good and decent people, which respect your culture. Releasing them would do much to improve international relationships. Thank you. Lisa Tiltom: My prayers are with you all Courtney Nicole Barnes Erin Yaworski Hal Yeager: Iran, please free these innocent people. Marco Agostini Giulia Fabrini Andres Fioretti Anna Bilette Maria Roncetti Francesca Bartali Marta Filidei Steve Tighe Anna Daminia Tommaso Giani Elizabeth Miller Rlaudia Aleandri Anonymous Anna Borini Jennifer Reynolds Anonymous Jason Thrane Anonymous: This situation is ridiculous. Free these people. what are they trying to prove by holding them for so long? keith yetter Lucy G. Rhoda: My thoughts are with Sarah, Shane, Josh and their families. Please free the hikers.... NOW !!! Carol Anne Mueller: Please show compassion and release these young people to their families and friends, who miss them terribly. Deqa Farah: Islam is about compassion not agression. Live up to the best ideals of humanity by immediately freeing Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Do not play politics with the lives of three innocent young people. They do not deserve to be a proxy war. Anonymous Claire Howie Anonymous Anonymous Shiru Liu: I hope the three young hikers to be released to their loved ones soon. Anonymous John Levine Laura Page Brittany Gavula Natalie Brook dana blair: please free these innocent students! Anonymous Nancy Boxer Maia Vexsler Albert J FiNESTONE md melanie grubman Kate Rossiter eric grubman nicole grubman sandra goijman veronica vexsler Anonymous Megan Lyons Ian Finneran Jeremy Zorn Ben Goodman Barron von Deusen Bennie Ansell: Please send them home. I am sure they are missed dearly. William Byatt Jacob Long Tamar Granor Alexander Wilson Michael Floering Sam Chillaron Gabriel Rosser Sam Eastham Raluca Cruceanu Jacki Aldrich ashley king Lynn: To the government of Iran, we ask you nicely to please release Shane, Sarah and Josh to their families as soon as possible. They are innocent people and don't belong in jail for an honest mistake which anyone could have made. We kindly ask you for their immediate release and not to use them as " Pawns" in any negotiations that you may or may not be having with the USA. If you want the World to see that you can be a civilized nation willing to communicate, this might be a great way for you to start. Thank you.. please again, do the right thing and SET THEM FREE! Amen Anonymous Debra Gleason Dana R: FREE THE HIKERS! Anonymous Darby Ann Trovato: To the Iran Govenment: Please show the world that your country and your officals really want peace. Keeping young people from their families and friends is not a polical situation and clearly an error in knowlege regarding boarder lines. Please again show the world peace is what you truly want. Julie VanMater Anonymous Beth Laughery Samantha Schmaus Janet McIntyre Luann: Say a Prayer Matt Edwards: Please release our fellow hikers. The trail provides mercy for all. Matt Slinger Shelley Cater Janet Perry Robert and Carolyn Florek: Please re-unite these young people with their families. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Jake Schumacher: Solitaire confinement? Stop the nonsense. Anonymous Scott Griffis Brittany: Bring them home!! Jenner Harsha Marci: please free the hikers, it's the humanitarian thing to do! Ty Hansen: Please let our friends come home. Dave Smith Elena Basile John Hansen Debra Hansen Laura Hansen Paula Jones Laura Drdek: Please bring them home. Yael Rivera Jirmz: It's been long enough... Anne Walker Carlisle Haworth Wyman Brent: Why does the republic of Iran detain innocent people? Anonymous: Shane, Sarah and Josh, My family and I pray for your spirit, health and safety as you await your release. Auzzie Tavakoli Andrew Haringer Robert Evans Anonymous Jane Winkel John Fitzgerald: Thoughts are with these kids - hope they have the strength to hold on for as long as it takes! and for their friends at home to increase exponentially the efforts and the publicity of this really noble campaign!!! Anonymous: With respect to the Iranian government, what purpose can possibly be served by continuing to detain these young people? Kristin Boda Cheryl Peppel Abigail Beaudette Madeline Dube bob lawrence levine: if you do not have proof, release them. Anonymous Eva Isaak Mary Canales Bridget Arend Angie Chang Lauren Levine Kevin Palmer: Let them go!!!! Heidi Markus Jessie Anonymous Anonymous Dan Fuerst Shira matt janice redman George Pitsakis Kristen Hines Anonymous Judy Stockslager: My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah, Shane and Josh. Please release them to their families. These young people are good people who innocently crossed the Iranian border. Sam Lapin Jill Harris Randy Marquis: It has been nearly a year since these kids were detained. If there is proof of their malicious intent in crossing the border, try them in a public court of law and show the world that Iran truly believes in fairness and justice. Otherwise, please release them so they may return to the embrace of their families and loved ones. Peace to you on this joyous Nowruz. Brett Krasnov Chrissy Schmidt Ori Blumenfeld: Let them free! Meg Redshaw Lee Ann Gavula: Please have compassion for these hikers - they have spent enough time in captivity! joana rosa Mike Tannenbaum Amanda Ahmad: Please let them go home. Anonymous Nicole Aderholt Josh Newport: The release of a few to awaken the eyes of a nation... Your call. Anonymous Jasmine Nichole Munoz Melanie Bialocki: Every day I think about Sarah, Josh, and Shane and the pain their families are experiencing. I am a hiker, too, but safe at home. Please let them go. DELILAH HARRIS Marsha Messinger Anonymous Marna Sanders Anonymous Sylvia Nesheiwat nick gaudio, sr.: let the kids go home. Brian Francis Smith Deborah Isaak-Shapiro Hannah Anonymous Hilary Klein Tasqeen Macchiwalla: In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate, we request you to reunite Joshua, Shane and Sarah with their families on the occasion of Nowruz. As Joshua's host family in Bangalore, we know him to be a pacifist and an environmentalist. We pray everyday for Joshua, Shane and Sarah's well-being and release. Moonlight: Please free them and let them go home to their families and friends. They should not be punished, as they meant to harm. My prayers for the hikers and their families, Love from, a Malaysian supporter. Anonymous Hannah Son Jacqueline Matusow Chris Christie Nico Lauren: Please Free the Hikers so that Shane, Sarah, and Josh Fattal can be reunited with their families before Nowruz. Susanna Smith Anonymous Gail Karabell Lois McCloskey: Like all family, friends, and colleagues of Josh, Sarah and Shane, I ask that you consider each as a kind and good-willed global citizen and release him and her to their families and communities to live their lives. Thank you from many of us in the U.S. Papagena Robbins Rachel Greasham Anonymous Katie Beran Anonymous nikki stellini Crystal Saunders Susan Eileen Rudnick Buffy Thomas: I am the mother of two adventurous, history loving children just like these. This could be my children. These could be any of our children. Please allow them the freedom to come safely home to their families. Their only intentions were to explore the beauty of the earth. Peace and goodwill to all. Samantha Goodal Darlene Schanfald Jean Pauline Mes Mulat: Please release the hikers and send them to thier loved ones. Christie Kassaye: Please free these innocent hikers! Thanks! Monique Badham Anonymous Kimberly Slaninko Mimi Rubin Anonymous Leia Melinda Morrison Jens Christian Heuer Anonymous mark Andrew Harcum Evan Harmon(R-PA): Iran let us strive for peace between the US. Please free the hikers and do what ever you can for our two nations to work together. Stefan Specht: I see no reason to prolong the suffering of the three hikers. Free the hikers! For them; for all of us! wendy kemner Anonymous Marsha Prybutok: Compassion is a precept of all religions. Where in Iran has this compassion gone? Three young people have remained captive for far too long. MArly Siegal J Siegal Anonymous Marilyn Rosskam Liz Gonzalez Nicole Kim: I hope they are free very soon, I'll be praying for them Raquel Albano Sue Jaques Nora Leverson Elayne Aion MÃ³nica Taboada Tapia: Petition for hikers' freedom Mallika Chopra Kelsey Debi: Please return Shane, Sara and Josh to their families. They have all suffered enough! Anonymous Amanda Hakkarainen: I add my name to a long list of citizens of our great planet that ask that you please find it in your hearts to let these wonderful people go back to their work of helping others. They meant no harm, they only have respect and hope as part of their intentions. Let there be Compassion for those that are true to their fellow man~ Carrie Brown Shara Stewart Tracie Gross Sebastian HolmbÃ¤ck Jade Erickson Anonymous Denise Hayden Linda Parker Shanta Covington: If nothing more, I implore your sense of family. Think of what the families of these hikers have gone & continue to go through. At the very least it would show common decency that you understood and empathize with their plight. People are not pawns, and using them as such will only further damage the already fragile environment in which we live. In this instance, lead not with your mind, but your heart and do the right thing. Please, free them now. Carin Kovacs Scott Morris Phyllis Heller Anonymous: Please free the hikers. They were enjoying your beautiful country and didn't mean any harm. Please show them compassion. Thank you. Gabriella Lewis: FREE them please!!! Courage to the family. Never give up! I am sure that they will be released very soon! ken hanzlik Angie Davis Carolyn Morris Nicole Edwards Kathleen Larson Anna Edelman Joan Anonymous: hey iranian leaders: do the right thing, free the hikers!!! show your true inner-muslim of kindness that I have seen and experienced. Anonymous tim AnnMarie Luster warren cunningham julia: Please let the Shane,Sarah and Josh return home as soon as possible. Abby Foster jon p.: to the people of the islamic republic of iran,you should see that these are good people and have a heart and set them free. Eri Pasalaidis Frangiadakis: Please do the right thing! Let the Koran speak in your heart of kindness and love. Free these young people and allow them to return home to their loved ones. Rhonda Reyes: They are innocent kids that went on a hiking trip. Please reconsider your stand on this and release them to their home country. Thank you. Robert J. Dale dayne westerbergd: come home sooon! Anonymous Len Carter: We understand Iran's needs to enforce their borders as other nations do and we would never begrudge them that freedom. Given the circumstances surrounding the hikers entrance into Iranian territory I believe that the record is clear that there was no intention to do harm to Iran's national sovereignty in this regard but simply an error due to unclear border markings. Although our nations may not agree on matters of politics I'm sure we can agree that as humans we are imperfect and at times make mistakes in judgement whether knowingly or not. No parent should have to sleep and awaken in fear day after day worrying about their children's safety. I implore you not as a matter of politics but as a fellow human being living on this great planet we call Earth. For this reason we respectfully ask that you release these three hikers from your countries jails and return them home to the United States and their families. Sharon Heddle H. Feinstein: Please, please, please let the 3 hostages go!! Anonymous Cathy Pray: Please allow these three hikers to return home to their families now. Ashley Treasure-Duncan: My prayers are with you and your family. Kellie: It has been long enough. The hikers do not deserve this and should be able to come home. God Bless to them and their families. Diane Duff Theresa Graham Misty Graham Margaret Cochran: Please give them a second chance for their families. The American college population need to be respectful of culture boundaries as much as these kids needed to be careful of physical countries' bounds. It is a sad thing that their foolishness has caused such pain for their loved ones. Perhaps their release will give them the opportunity to be TRUE ambassadors of peace and goodwill. Arthur A. Yatsko: The Iran Government seems to have an affinity for holding hostages. Now waiting to trade them for some diplomatic advantage brings it all one step closer to kidnapping. And this from a government that came to power claiming religion would be their moral compass. elyse feingold: Please show compassion for these innocent young people. Jennifer Hardman Miguel chaconm Robert Farnham Greg Begin: Do the only right thing, free these hikers, please! Mary K. Pierce Ruben J Jimenez: Please send Shane, Sarah and Josh home soon!! Shannon Bires Terri Flanagan Anonymous Chris Simms Hilda Barquero: You will be home sooner than you think. God Bless You all. Anonymous Anonymous: Shane, Josh and Sarah, are just kids who are traveling to learn more about the world in real life. Please realease them immediately. I'm sure it was an honest mistake and they do not deserve to be imprisened. T.Richards Richard Seeger: Let them be free! They didn't mean to be in illegal ground!!! Robert Middlekoop: our hopes and prayers are with you( the family and friends) Connie Lambe Kayla Hamel Ashley O\'Reilly Roy Buchanan: If there are people in the Iranian Government with a fair sense of justice and conscience, please try to persuade your compatriots to release these three hikers. Kristen Bayles Justin Schnare David Bayles Anonymous Anonymous Dave Bristol: Iran needs to show - and prove - that they are compsssionate. Anonymous: It is our duty to stand behind our fellow Americans. Stevie Lynn Porter: I just saw the story on the news, I felt that I needed to help in some way. Brianna: please release the hikers!!!!!!!! Shelley Bauer Anonymous: God Bless you all! Sreenivas: Iran, please release them and let them join their families. Gene Swanson: Releasing the hikers would only be justified as I do not believe they intentionally crossed a border on purpose. kent hoover Diana Rodriguez Erin Dinan: It is heartbreaking to think how the world has become...God bless these 3 people. Laura Koch Erica Taylor Tiia Rowley Jeni Wren Stottrup Anonymous Christopher Newton Erin Illuminati Susan Gibbons LouAnn Thomas Nikki Vandiver: Please send them home where they belong. Lauren Ritz lori Fuqua: Free them, they were just Hihking!! Vicki Miner: Please let them go free! Daniel Magerman Gheorge Muresanu: Peace & Light to everyone on this planet Ivette Pagan Gomez: Give them their due process. Shawn Purvis: Please allow these citizens to return to their families as quickly as possible. Thank you for your consideration and goodwill. Molly Levin Angela Brandt Matthew K. Burnett Erin Alvey Angela McCracken Eden: Let the poor kids come home. Cynthia Rosario elisa Julie Heller William S. Miller Anonymous Anonymous: Though they should not have been hiking in that part of the world it is clear they are not spies and should be released as soon as possible. Mariana Felix Tracy Rosenberg Anonymous Jude Hobbs: Do whatever is in the power of the US and Swiss governments to free the 3 hikers. Thank you, Jennifer Rackow: Please demonstrate your compassion. Begin the new year with peace; send these young people who made a mistake home. Thank you. Kimberly Shoub jackie terry Stephanie Mayers David Aaron Judith Rosenberg Alexander Sitarski Jeannie Granaas: As your sister in Islam I am asking you to release these children into the care of their grief stricken friends and families -- I am asking you to live by the tenets of our faith... We here in Minnesota have had many positive connections with the Iranian people -- we have loved them just as we love Josh, Sarah and Shane... Doug Roman Suzanne Clothier: Keeping prayers flowing towards all Anonymous Desiree Hausch-Smales: Please do not diminish these 3 children's love of exploration and repect of your culture by continuing to hold them for a mistake, I pray for their safety and for their captures to show compassion and allow them to come home. Elizabeth Helmick: How many times have you yourself made a wrong turn on vacation and ended up on the wrong side of town. I know myself I have many times my heart goes out to these three poor soles and I hope that the Iran government can look in there hearts and think just how easy it is to get lost and let the hikers come home to tier loved ones! Donald Staggers Adam Bentley Adam Bentley Nicole Sylvestre Besman Chana Dukes Dayna Larson B. Smith M. Letts Mirashah A. Davidson A. Jacobson Meg Ehamilton Mark Sokol M. Sokol C. Sanint S Anonymous Stephanie Yerman Vincent Greico Anonymous Lizi Watt Jacqueline Tillman Chris Sarah Schantz Katie Hanczaryk Lou Colucci Anonymous: Please free the hikers! This is a mistake. Anonymous: My prayers are with you all Sarah Filipiak Salena Tramel Nicole Wilde Juel Duke Monty Sloan: Continuing to detain these three people makes little sense, freeing them makes all the sense in the world. maureen schooley Lori A. Kondro Anonymous Steve DeBono Ryan Talbot Andrea Jerabek: Please free these young innocent hikers and show that you hear the cries of there mothers and those of us all across the world. Shane, Sarah and Josh have been in your custody for well over 230 days now and just because they accidentally crossed an unmarked border in the wilderness. The world is watching and waiting for a compassionate reply to their mothers. Remember that Allah encourages compassion. Gijsbert Janssens Dana Pike Chamberlain Wendy Weisbergki: My thoughts and prayers are with the hikers and families Penny Bolton: Please free these innocent hikers who did nothing more than get lost. They and there families deserve this nightmare to end. Susan Gleeson Lorna Harris: My heart goes out to the families of these young explorers. I hope they are returned safe and well. Lorna- London, England. Anonymous Anonymous Pat Goodmann: Please free Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Maria Young: Show us the people of Iran are the people we know them to be- free the innocent Anonymous Janie C. Dillon: Please do all you can to free these young people. They have done nothing to deserve imprisonment. They and their families have suffered enough. Felicia Monteforte Martha Windisch: They have been captive far too long. Please keep them safe and let them free - they are innocent, they just got lost. Anonymous Rhianna MacKenzie Sue Lienau Michael Schwartz Jarilyn Pusz Aprill Seekamp Anonymous Kevin Hunter: what did they do. if you can honestly answer that they in some way did something to you directly or even indirectly besides cross a border than try them for it instead of holding them for a reason nobody can understand not even yourselves in a humane level Sue Loucks: My prayers are with Shane, Sarah, Josh and their families during this extremely difficult time. May they be reunited with the families soon. Patrick Jensen Janice Anonymous Jennifer Fritton Shannon S. Marilyn Newman McMullen: pleae release shane , sarah and josh - show that iran can rise above politics and international bickering . these three young americans have done nothing wrong . thank you . Lisa Dalton Daron Brown luisa fernanda pineda Paula Joseph-Johnson: Send our young people home, safe and sound. Please. Donna Owczarek Birgit Lutosch Anonymous Sarah Marchese bea webber: I travel around the world making new friends who are very different then me. I adventure to unknown areas trusting locals. I could not imagine if this was me...I only could hope that if it was you would set me free....PLEASE RELEASE THEM TO THIER FAMILIES...PLEASE Virginia Daly Randy Jacobs C. Farr: May those who are able to free Shane, Sarah & Josh, find it in their hearts to send them home safe, sound and soon. Strength to the hikers. Anonymous: Please send them home, safely. Anonymous Anonymous: I hope your children are freed soon. I hope they come home safe and as unharmed as possible. JMM: Peace. Prayers for compassion from the Iranian government and tenacity from the American government to end this long imprisonment of three innocent young people. Justice and mercy are requested. Politics should not be played with their young lives. Have empathy. A MN Mom and teacher. Anne McDonough Anonymous Paula Kiger Rosanne Bane john papandrea Tara Colquitt Amber Ferguson: Praying for you all and your families! Margaret Cejku Sarah Keffer Anonymous Jennifer Lorenzen Anonymous Jean R. Goldman: Please free them in the interest of friendship between our respective countries Josh Laux Patti: Keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers! Jeremy Smith-Danford Kimberly Williams Kevin VanderBerg Sam Raymond Nathaniel Janowitz Matt Bamert Marissa Grasmick Jamie Finkelstein Kitty Kaler Kristin Scroggs Katie Markley Liz Arp David Hemenway Pharme33: Hello! eebdaac interesting eebdaac site! Anonymous: To the leaders of Iran,you now have an opportunity to show the world that Iran is a country deserving of the respect of the world community. Anonymous Anonymous Robert Ben-Nun Wendy S Mike Jaster: These Barbarians should release them at once. If not we should bomb the hell out of them. Iran consistently interfere's with Iraq and they just need their ass spanked one good time then they will think twice before kidnapping people that the call spies which is just silly. Roxane Anonymous: The 3 hikers who are detained in Iran are young adults who love to to walk and take hikes in the mountains to witness the natural beauty of nature... young adults who unknowingly crossed border into Iran. Please release them from captivity so that they can return home to their families. Chris Faessen Andrew Levin Anonymous Anonymous: Please send them home to their families Melanie Titus: Prayers be with them. Rose Marie Caplin: These young people deserve to be with their families. All people make mistakes when they are young. Please consider how easy it must have been for them to cross the border since there were no markings to identify the area. Anonymous Mickey Feinsot: Hope to see you all home soon Elaine Haspel: Please return these three young people to their families. I'm sure that the three hikers meant no harm to the Iranian government when they wandered across the border. edwinmarkowitz Anonymous Anonymous: I hope that all ends well and the three come home shortly. beverly kappelman neal bessler: Please release these innocent children. Bill Friedman: Please help these young people reunite with their families Anonymous Sandra Holzinger: I look forward to hearing that the Iranian government allows these young people to contact their families and that the Iranian government has released them. We watch for the Iranian people's compassion and understanding. nancy anton barbara sabath: we love them Anonymous: Prayers for the safe return of the three young Americans to their families and their country. Molinda Karpman: I pray the Iranian government will have a heart and free these three young people and allow them to come home to their families. I don't know these 3, but I say a daily prayer for them. Theresa Kratschmer Anonymous Cindy Mready D\'Aunta Lewis: To The Families, Friends, &Supporters of The Hikers Keep Ya Head Up&Keep The Faith.....GOD IS IN CONTROL& We are ALL In His Hands&Control:)Love You All&Let's Keep Up The Fight For These 3Innocent Souls....No Weapon Formed Shall Prosper:)I have complete faith that they ALL will return home&safely at that. Anonymous Anonymous eileen samuels Anonymous Loredana Monte Lev: Please release them so they may do good work in the world. Ryan Clapp: Due process Dr. David A Johnson: As a former teacher in the IHP program, I know these young people were simply hikers exploring new territory. Those of us who are sympathetic to Iran and the Iranian people find it hard to accept the treatment of the three hikers. You know they are innocent. Let them go, in the name of justice. Kyndra Irwin Anonymous Stefanie Frick Risa Mandell Libby Brewer sara sobel Jennifer Marchant: Please have compassion upon these young people and their families. Caitlin Cali Gary Elman Emily Saunders Anonymous SHIRLEY KRIEGER: TO THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT: Please free the hickers as they meant no harm and were just looking at the beauty of the Country. Beth Stern Anonymous Anonymous David Hawxwell Anonymous Hideaki Terasawa: Hoping they soon be released. Maureen Fadden: in the name of peace, let them come home Mary Johnson Reza Jou: Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh to their families. They have mistakenly crossed the border, no bad intention, only innocent mistake. They loving family and friends are waiting impatiently to reunited with them, please understand! Alice Diane Kisch Anonymous Shara Davis Chris Wallace maxine scherz Gawn Richey: Please return these young folks to their families and their lives. Benjamin Tilden: I've known Josh for an incredibly long time. As small boys we would play together, young adults in high school we went to all the same parties at friends' houses around the neighborhoods we grew up in, and to this day define our collective childhood experience. I pray for you, Josh. I pray everyday. This isn't something I was very accustomed to until I heard about what happened to you.... But I pray, and hope, and know you will be coming home to everyone who cares for you a loves you. I know that we are all human beings--regardless of political or religious background--and keeping you there under false acquisitions will get old for them and they will let you leave. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who are impacted by this terrible situation, but especially to the Fital family, who are a part of the story of my childhood. Anonymous Amy Diner Jessica Taylor: Godspeed. Patrick Kelly Jill Thompson Patricia H Allen Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Kyle Crawford: Whatever the facts surrounding this matter may be, I would ask the Iranian government to at the very least put effort into resolving this issue quickly to prevent future harm to the Hikers, their loved ones, and to prevent further turmoil across the globe. PAUL SCHIMMEL Danielle Diuguid megan carroll Jackie: please consider the families ! Free them Now! Anonymous Lucy Yallop: The international community is watching the government in Iran and we the undersigned are shining a spotlight on your actions. Jarrett Nicholson Rob Getts Greg & Patti: Iran, come join the rest of the world, start down that road by releasing Sarah, Shane and Josh. Anonymous: Even a cursory glance reveals how extraordinary these young individuals are. The fact that they are advocates of peace, imprisoned in a part of the world for which they're extremely passionate, is an example of another of the world’s cruel contradictions. I hope for the best-- alanna carlson Morgan Porch Suzanne Coleman anonymous Liz Ryan May Toliao Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: By keeping them hostage Iran is simply inflicting more harm and ill will towards itself as well as proving itself to be a unjust nation. Free Them. Jodi Petitt Mauricio Baquero Peter Dempsey Anonymous Florence Deutsch: Please allow Shane, Josh and Sarah to return home to their families. Kyle Ginter Anonymous James J Klatt David Lewallen: I will pray for them... Joseph Falcone: Get these 3 Americans out of that country and home in the USA Christopher D Hanson Anonymous Louise Fulk: God Speed! Praying that you are all released as soon as possible. katie hanson Gina O\'Neil Anonymous Anonymous Brenda Martin Dan Bratcher Anonymous Marci Wilds Tricia: There is a strong possibility these kids will never make it home. Their leader is the same terrorist that held the American hostages in the late 70's. He is a nut job. May God be with those kids. Anonymous David Gemberling: I Hope that they can find it in there hearts to allow these young people return home to there loved ones they made an honest mistake while hiking something that im sure we all have done at some point by finding ourselfs in the wrong place i know i have gotten lost more then one time in my life Chris Wilson Samantha Scheck: IRAN. What you are doing is WRONG. Release these innocent people immediately and send them home to their families. V. Mundt Brad Whitmire Kevin Boudreau: I found you guys on facebook, anyone who has a facebook should add their group, free the hikers. May God be in your brother's and friends' hearts. I hope and pray that they are released and home in your arms safely. My thoughts are with you, and your worries are in my heart. I will not forget this story and will be so happy to hear of their return!!!! God bless you! Rick Giroux Anonymous Emily Berger: Please James Hauser: By holding these people against their will, you (Iran) government tell all the world you are as bad as the world thinks you are... Richard Doyon Anonymous Anonymous Reem Gfelner Anonymous: I want to Say to the Bauer, Shourd and Fattel Family, we are praying for your your kids, and siblings to be released. To the Iranian Government, Every day you defend and throw your nose up in the face of people who disagree with you. Do not think you can get away with this because you're leverage is Oil. If you have proof show it now. But we want to see an unedited Video tape to make sure that if you have confessions that these confessions are real and not coerced. Please do the right thing. Send these kids home Anonymous Anonymous: I feel for Shane, Sarah and Josh. When I was 17, I was stuck in Karachi, Pakistan for two days because of technical issues with our plane. A few hour layover turned into 48 hours and these were some of the worst hours of my life. The two days felt like 10. I cannot imagine how much these three are suffering. We must all rally behind them. We need "Free The Hikers" bumper stickers, t-shirts and banners. I do not know them but I will pray for them beginning now. Andy Allman Anonymous: our goverment should have got them out of there by now.....my prayers go out to them.... Anonymous: Please allow these three people to come home to their families and friends. Please show compassion and grace. Mary Garrett: JESUS LOVES YOU, DO WHAT'S RIGHT. Jack: To the families, know that I will keep you all in my prayers, as well as your loved ones, who are imprisoned. This is a travesty, that our country doesn't DEMAND their immediate release. I certainly appeal to our government to get a backbone, and get our fellow country men and woman, out!!!! fiona guliyev liz bell: Iran send these innocent people home to their families! Katrina Sturgeon: Please let them see their families and their lawyers, but family first. Ellen Wasik Chris Casmaer: please let the trio, have access to their Lawyer so this misunderstanding can be cleared up and they can come home to their loved ones. Wawa Ellawednav: Bevrijd hun! Renee E. Johnston: I hope they come home soon. Vieru Andrei Casey Jeans: Praying for the hikers and their families. I hope they come home and soon. You all have my complete support! LET'S GET THEM HOME! Anonymous: My thoughts and prayers are with your families. Brian Rapp: Iran is holding our citizens illegally and with the malice intent of making a political statement to the world. Iran's continue nuclear ambitions continue to endager the region and the entire world. We MUST bring these 3 Americans home!! I don't know them personally but they are fellow citizens and they don't deserve this treatment because Iran hates America. My prayers and my thoughts are with you. Be strong and of good courage. deut 31:6 Gary Compton: Please free Sarah, Shane and Josh it is the right thing to do. I will continue to pray for their release soon. God bless all the families involved with this sad situation. Wayne M. Rose: Stop using these innocent HUMAN BEINGS as pawns in your propaganda games !!! RESIDENT OBA.M.A. is a single public servant & has done NOTHING but allow this to continue...He reports to us "We The People" of The United States of America. DON'T GET U.S. STARTED...LET THEM GO NOW !!! Anonymous JACOB DEHAVEN Dorothy Brown: Please free these innocent people!!!! mary lou marchetti Lyndsay Edder: Please allow these hikers to go free. How would you feel if your child was detained in a foreign country and you haven't heard from them in almost a year? Think about it. Reflect on it. Doesn't feel too nice, does it? Now take that feeling and multiply it by 10,000,000 and that's the pain, frustration and uncertainty these families are experiencing right now. Are you really willing to let these innocent people continue to suffer? will nance: unfortunate victums of circumstance due to a major political pissing match. lets put our pride aside and bring these innocent captures home safely...NOW!! Nicole Ricci: Please free the hikers! Connie Cozart Samantha Tervo Anonymous: God bless. Douglas Herman John Gambone: Please have mercy on these young people. Tony Rago Patrick Stringfellow: The golden rule exists in all religions. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Anonymous SHAVONNE K DELGADO Jessica Patrick Ryan nathan: Let the hikers go Julia Jones Anonymous: my prayers go out to the hikers, their families and friends Anonymous: The three hikers should have been able to speak to a lawyer and communicate with their families. I cannot imagine being held in solitary confinement for eight months in a foreign land. Please do the humane thing and allow them to return to the U.S. Anonymous: I have been waiting for the media to follow this story, I have heard so little news on there fate. My prayer's go out to you and your family. I am wondering why Lisa Ling (Journalist) is not being of more help, after all the help see recieved from her friends in the media. She must know the pain you are going thru. Why is Lisa Ling not asking for help from the Clinton's the same way she recieved help for her sister in North Korea? Agnes McGeough: I keep Josh, Sarah and Shane in my prayers. Please send them home to their families. Cheryl Will: I will keep Shane, Sarah,Josh & their families in my prayers. I pray that their captors release them soon & they can return home to their families. God Bless them & return them home safely. Mackenzie McCloud: My prayers are with Shane, Josh, and Sarah. Matt Mayers Christopher Collins: Iran, let these Americans go. They do not deserve this. Let them go home to their families. Anonymous LINDA: I THINK THE IRANIAN GOVERMENT SHOULD RELEASE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE THEY WERE JUST HIKING WHEN SUPPOSEDLY STEPPED OVER THE BORDER THEY HAVE BEEN HOSTAGES LONG ENOUGH. IF NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THEM THEN LET THEM GO. I HOPE THAT THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT KNOWS IF THEY HAVE BEEN HURT IN ANY WAY THAT THE U. S. GOVERNMENT WILL BE INVOLVED AND THEY WILL BE SORRY PLEASE SEND SARAH;JOSH AND SHANE HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES Benjamin Wright marysa stone: free them soon we love you kids Holly Sullinger Patricia H Allen Anonymous: Please, please Iran, keep the Berkley leftist whackos in your country. We don't need kooks like that here. I'll even send a few bucks to pay for their imprisonment. Maybe you can make some Rachel Corrie pancakes for them. sharon murray Anonymous: Not only them ,millions of human beings have been taken hostages by this regime,help all of us,those hikers are innocents , do something for them ,make them free ,we (Persians) are ashamed of this Mullas mid-aged regime,they don't represent us.I feel sad and sorry for this. Aria 15 year old , Shiraz Peggy Miller: My prayers are with these people stuck in a terrible situation. Pascale Vieira carol presgraves: please Lord lay upon these captors heart to release these three people Regina DeFeo Justin Reniger: Pray people pray Jennifer: PLEASE FREE THEM!!! THE WERE JUST HIKING.DONT YOU THINK IF THEY WERE SPIES THEY WOULD HAVE LIKE EQUIPMENT OR SOMETHING LIKE COME ON NOW! THEY WANTED TO VIEW A DIFFERENT COUNTRY N THEY DID SO AND WAS CAPTUED FOR NO REASON.LETS TAKE ALL THE MIDDLE EAST PPL N LOCK THEM AWAY LIKE THEY DID OUR FELLOW AMERICANS IN THEIR PRISIONS Quwanda Brooks: My heart goes out to the mothers... being a mother of two kids myself I can only imagine how you ladies are feeling. Just please continue to hold on to your inner strength ladies because you are going to need all that strength to hold them up once they are released. Please free the hikers! Diana Melas: Please return these hikers to their home and families... spoonman: Our Govt has a duty to stand up for these people! They are in our prayers Anonymous Anonymous: Please release Shane, Josh and Sarah they should not be held and used in the way that they are being. Anonymous Sylvia snell: Prayers go out to these young folk and their loved ones for theei release. And allow them contact with their families. It is the RIGHT thing to do! Anonymous Barbara Becker Maria Applewhite Anonymous: Regardless of whether they were linked to U.S. Intelligence or not, they need to be released immediately. SEND THEM HOME AND RELEASE THEM IRAN!!! Sal Sanfilippo marti mcginley Padraig O Donoghue Andrew Tufano bonnie Crouch: I'm afraid to post anything. Because it makes you darn mad. They were just (HIKING) for God sakes,,, Thier such idiots,,,, Can't reason can they? Magdalena Gill amy vansickle andrew stanger: All the best wishes for Shane, Sarah and Josh. I hope they get released and returned to family, friends and a free life soon safe and well Liz Forward: My thoughts and prayers go out the Shane, Josh, and Sarah (and their families as well). I really hope they are released soon and that this sort of thing never happens again!!!!!! trish mason: my believe and thoughts are with you...trish.. Katherine Fuller: Please release these three innocent people who's only crime was to go in the wrong direction. Marek Tresnak: Please, release them. Kimberly Watts: My thoughts and prayers are with the captives and thier families everyday. God Bless you. Alan Wright Joel Jackson Mike Fleming MIChael Levine Lindsay Robertson Diana Kokko: PEACE!!! Daven Hafey Elaine Pasquini Alexander Volfson: What is the cause of the detention? Can this be resolved without jailing innocent hikers. Anonymous: These are innocent people! I don't understand how the Iranian government can be holding them like this. It's heartbreaking, infuriating, and frightening. I hope that they are released soon and will be wishing for their safe return. Bram Smith Kathryn Dawsey Matt Wade: The US urgently needs to step in to stop this political game-playing. The US State Department is offering thinly veiled threats of nuclear violence against Iran, when these three lives are at stake. The political game-playing needs to stop immediately to free these hikers. Cynthia Van Etten: Please Iran, have mercy on these young people and give them their lives back. Annie Hagelberg Erin Schwarz Farah Malik Anonymous layne freedline Hannah Wade Wade O\'Malley ANNASUMMER HARRISON dalgurl: Please free this amazing young people!!!! My hearts and thoughts are with you guys <3 stay strong and soon this will be over :) Thomas Jones Melissa Christensen Kim Larsen Christine Ann: Please free these individuals. The only mistake they have made is to unknowingly lose their way into Iran. They are innocent children and belong home. Anonymous caroline gartner Jonas Zeto: The Iran Government so listen to us! Release the innocent souls! Anita Early Jenny Gabriel: It is my prayer that these young people will be freed and back in the arms of their family soon. It is highly improbable that they have any involvement with the US State Department. It would go far to improve Iran's image around the World for them to show mercy and free these innocent hikers. Rhonda Strong: Let our people go !!! Anonymous Dianne Rogers Anonymous Donna J. Byers: Please release the three American hikers. Danielle Spaulding: We respectfully appeal to the Parents, Children, Brothers, and Sisters of the Islamic Republic to return Shane, Sarah, and Josh to their families. Just as you would want your family returned to you. War is a horrible time for all people involved; but the innocent should never have to pay the price. Please send the hikers home. Anonymous: I am praying daily for the release and return of Shane, Sarah and Josh. I'm also asking God our Father to surround these three with his angels to protect, comfort and strengthen them. May God's everlasting love, grace and mercy be with all of you. Keep looking up. Anonymous Anonymous Christopher Eggebrecht: I'm all for due process. Prove them guilty or send them packing. Jackson Keene: Dear Mr.Mahmoud Ahmadinejad(President of Iran), I have heard that you said that you would like the three hikers freed. You also said that the real decision was in the judiciary. If you really care, then you would override the decision of the judiciary and release the captives. You also said that you wanted some Iranian prisoners released from our country. I see your reasoning but the U.S. wants harmless hikers that accidentally wandered into an unmarked border region of your country. Iran wants hardened criminals like terrorists, if we gave you terrorists in exchange for harmless citizens THAT WOULD NOT BE A FAIR TRADE!!! Think about it, Mr. Ahmadinejad. Sincerely, Jackson Keene Jantra Jacobs Elizabeth Clark: Please, in the name of God,Allah if you will, let the hikers go. You know in your hearts that this is wrong. Be humaine and let these kids go.You will be blessed for your kindness and compassion. Deanna Mueller: We are all humans on this planet. All we have is each other. Please show these hikers the compassion that we all deserve. Tiffany Liu Anonymous: Please have them released immediately and safely after proper "due process". Don't do any more than is necessary. Shane, Sarah, and Josh, stay physically strong, mentally alert yet kind-hearted! Jessica Caouette: I would hope that in this new global economy we can work together as nations to find solutions to these kinds of retaliations against innocent people. Fabels: we pray for their release Heidi Thielen Laura Battos Natalie Beck Candace Joice: With love, support, and prayer! Scott S Cooper: These poor people have become Pawns in the War W/Radical Islam&Nuclear Nations!Iran's got to separate the two Policies&respect Human Rights!They're not Spies,just curious Hikers like all the rest of us! Lauren Karl Erin Holzhauser Martha Lutz: May the leaders of this world lead us toward peace. God bless all of humanity. laura freeman Mindy Hardeman Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS Vahid Shokoohi Nia: i hope we could get rid of exterimist one day Faramarz: Please release these hikers, as well as all other innocent foreign AND Iranian captives, imprisoned unjustly. Monica Laura S-Cohen LP Nolt John Brock Gail Bouskill: free them! antonia Elizabeth Linabury: Please send them home. Priscilla: Open your eyes and your hearts to these children..... Anonymous: God Bless these brave, wrongly incarerated, young people! Alice Jankell Shelby Doyle: I wish you the best of luck. May God answer your prayers. Debbie Conley Anonymous: Your in our prayers. Please free the hikers! Noelle Richey Anonymous: you can see from their background stories, these young people are not a threat to the middle east, but people who care...we need to see them freed and put back into this world that so desparately needs more people like them. Chris Crowstaff julie allaben: Please release these people. sherry harger Anonymous Anonymous Sarah Kaplan Corey Thompson: Bring them home. Tami Swenson M. H. Rudolph ellen benedek: Please send these yound people home to their families. Thank you. Mahnaz Jennifer Rinard: please let these three people return home to their families Anonymous: Listen to your heart. ERIC LENDL: With love and strength for you all. We miss you dearly and you are in our thoughts daily. Kealani Caruso: All of my thoughts and prayers will be sent your way. Ruth Phillips Norma Braden CHAYA ADELSTEIN: IRAN WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THAT THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE NEED TO BE FREED AND RETURNED TO THEIR GOVERNMENT. IT IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT NEEDS TO STRONGLY INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF THEIR CITIZENS. HOPEFULLY BARACK OBAMA WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. John D. DiFerdinando Tamara Lirette Anne Renihan Jada Williford Amanda Peterson Jessica Johnson Pari Irandoost: These 3 young Americans are innocent. Please free them and let them come home to their families. Jenna Thorsett Tracey Bostick Alec Grant Billy Davey Justine Gallien Betsey Keatland Carrie Gibson Alice Tang Kirsten Kearse Lorriane Schiavi Samone McDade Dordaneh Anonymous: The sad fact is that mullahs are holding these innocent people and will use it as a bargaining chip with clueless Osama and opportunist Hillary! Matteo Bussotti Francesco Lisci Sean Barrett: stay strong Max Whitby Larry Cone: Best of luck Carol Duffey: May God bless and be with you Vi Shenkman Elliot Greenfield Coery Heller: Best of luck! Rachel Rothbard Heller Howard Dansky Dan Weintraub Annette Shotz Yona Dansky S. Saad Michael J. Duffy: with respect - free the innocent. Please and thank you. Kathleen Goldenberg Bonnie Perlmutter Judith Becker Aaron Bauman Kelly Lacy: This is unacceptable! Any and all action must be taken immediately to free these innocent people. Anonymous Tom Thorsett: Good luck Alexandria Alloco Eric Drissell Debbie Keene Merle Tolin Cindy Grady-Henke Michael J. Gorski: All people have mothers. Allow the freedom to walk into nature that God (Allah) has provided for us. Yari Jan: The Obama Administration must give an ultimatum to the corrupt regime of Iran to release these innocent people. Enough is enough! They have been subject to the worst conditions and torture under the sick hands of Mullah's ruling Iran. No more appeasement of Mullah's. It is time for action! Thom Petersen Christie Algiers Anonymous: come home safe!!!!!!!!! Katherine: The Prophet Mohammad said: There is no person who does not have the obligation of doing charity every day that the sun rises. Upon which he was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, from where would we get something to give in charity so often?" Prophet Muhammad replied: Indeed the gates to goodness are many: -Glorifying Allah, -Praising Allah, -Magnifying Allah, -Saying 'There is no god but Allah', -Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, -Removing any source of harm from the road, -Showing the seeker his need, -Your removing of stones and thorns from people's paths is charity, -Listening to the aggrieved, -Guiding the blind, -Striving as far as your two legs could carry you and with deep concern to give succour to him who asks, -Carrying with the strength of your arms (the burdens of) the weak, -And your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, -And your guiding a man gone astray in the world is charity for you. All these are acts of charity which are an obligation on you. From http://www.articlesbase.com/quotes-articles/in-the-quran-you-will-not-attain-unto-piety-until-you-spend-of-what-you-love-1934525.html ____________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by; They are good, they are bad; they are weak, they are strong, Wise, foolish ...so am I; Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man. There are hermit souls that live withdrawn In the place of their self-content; There are souls like stars that dwell apart, In a fellowless firmament; There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths Where highways never ran, But let me live by the side of the road, And be a friend to man. By Sam Walter Foss In House by the Side of the Road ____________ But, for those who say, Our Lord is God, and who go straight to Him, seven angels shall descend to them and say, Fear ye not, neither be ye grieved, but rejoice ye in the paradise which ye have been promised. We are your guardians in this life and in the next: yours therein shall be your soul's desire and yours therein whatever ye shall ask for, The hospitality of a Gracious, Merciful One. Anonymous Connie Levy Kelly Cotter Elizabeth Sheffler: My prayers are with your families and I hope there is a quick resolution that brings these young individuals home to their families. Elisabeth M. Cole crystal: please free them, this is not right nor is it fair. Let them go please Helen Rowe Monique Najar Anonymous: FREEDOM! Anonymous Victoria Blessing: Please free the Hikers as they believe in peace like many US citizens. We wish only good will and peace for your country. Many blessings! Anonymous: If Iranian hikers got lost in America, we would send them home. Anonymous PATRICK COVINGTON Patrick Dreyer Kim Shearer Virgnia Brightman Anonymous Laura Kaplan: Please have the compassion that we all deserve as humans... let us welcome the hikers home in peace. Harriette Craig Jordana Jacobs Taffy Mandel Jonathan Heinlein Anonymous: hoping for a safe return that happens sooner than later!!! James Jordan Benjamin Ferleger Travis Trumbly Gabriel Goldthwaite Anonymous Makayla Gratz David Hollingshead Sarah Erikson Anonymous Erin Kappers: My thoughts and prayers are with you, I hope you return home to your loved ones safely and soon! Anonymous: Please. Now. Anonymous Ryan Bestford Robert Davis: These are innocent kids whose only "crime" was the desire to explore and see the world. Kaye Carlson: I hope that the Iranian government will show understanding and compassion for these young people and their families and release Shane, Sarah and Josh as soon as possible. Judy A Beck Ashley Weisz Ryan Kennedy: Please do the right thing. Please send them home. Mary Arafeh: Please let these kids return to their moms, dads and families. Anonymous sam marting: its time to do the right thing Jessie Jessup Jose Castillo: We all make mistakes as humans don't we ?? Leigh McAdam Anonymous: Please show mercy and reunite the three hikers to their worried families. Donna D\'Orio Anonymous Robb Sherman guy & cindy: Please further the cause of international peace. Anonymous Becky Gourde Carwil James Janet Holt: Free the hikers, please!!!!! They are innocent!!!! Lori Furaus William M. Alam: You could use some good press about now. Ruben Pacheco Jeffery Rich: Shane, Sara and Josh. I am starting up the Albuquerque branch of Free the Hikers, to help bring you home. -Jeff Rich Anonymous Anonymous David Bin Groovin: WTF??!!! Graham Ballard Vera Francis Kim Kern: Release the innocents! Barb Leddy: Please free these innocent people. Kate Olsen Amy O\'Shaughnessy Anonymous Lorelie Sabado Kevin Friedheim Anonymous: Please free the hikers. Thank you. D griffeth Alison Chandler steve zimmerman Lee Stoddard: In the name of your God, I beg mercy for their speedy release. If HE who is all mighty has granted the ability to prove your dominance, Then you have done your God well. You should now let them go so they may sread the word of you powerfull but human treatment of these messingers. Mark Ekdahl: These are bright and idealistic students and the Iranian President should not be using them as pawns. He should realize that they are graduates of Berkeley...hello?! They'd be more likely to bitch-slap CIA recruiters than join and become spies themselves! So please, indulge in the dark humor, do what is right, and spare these noncombatants, these decent and valuable human beings, their lives and return them to their homes so they can live in peace. Tricia Hammer: Please Iran, release these Americans. Bobby March: Please release these innocent people! PEACE. Chad Taurman Matthew Scherer Chris Howerton Anonymous Rob in Sebastopol CA Anonymous Anonymous: I am sure there can be a peaceful resolution for these hiking tourists. Show them mercy and release them for they are innocent. Peter Fagan: May god grant you guys the strength to endure this. Anonymous: Please let the hikers go back to their families! Anonymous: Sending love, light, hope, fortitude, and support for you and your fight to Shane, Sarah, and Josh--and all of your families and friends. Annalisa Graves Julie C. Scott: Please allow these innocent young people to return to their country. It is wrong to detain them. Their suffering has no purpose and should end immediately. Tug Harris Anonymous: Please give freedom to the hiker. I wish them well. Steven Ashline Jan Brown: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh as soon as possible return them home safely. Joseph Ballweg: I wish hope and pray that Iran will release them ASAP before things get out of hand. It would help if the US would do more to help and if anything, do a prisoner exchange cuz those people need medical attention and much more. Is it worth 3 American lives to keep the few Iranians that Iran want released back to them? I think not. Alba moran: Please send the hikers home. God bless Jennifer A. White Phillip T. Emmons: Love and Tolerance!! Anonymous Anonymous Kat Khalid: PLEASE quit keeping Sarah in isolation. Please give them the medical attention they need. Please let them come home. Meredith Sara Gibson Ali Amini: No one should be held in prison for months without being formally charged. Iranian judicial system clearly indicates lack of basic sense of justice by repetitive human rights violations, both of foreigners and especially of Iranian citizens. Melyssa Amador Amil Imani: You need to release these innocent young Americans immediately. Iranian-Americans are outraged by your action. This is outright terrorism. Brian Kelly Jason merz: Don't be so petty as to hold American hikers as prisoners just because there Americans. They should be sent home to their families. Don't use them for political leverage! Paul Jordan Maureen Prendergast: Sarah, Sahen and Josh please release these young people so they can continue with their lives. Please have mercy on them and take care of them while they are in your care. cat burke Anonymous Emily Locke Robert W. Pszyk: Iranian government should prove that their nation is a civil one by freeing these young people immediately Anonymous: Iran needs to free then now! Anonymous: Please free the hikers. God Bless them and keep them safe. Barb Schroeder Nathanael Maloney: Earlier this school year I did a project for my Global Affairs class and told my class Josh, Sarah and Shane's story. The Iranian government needs to grow up and gets it act together. This is just another example of how messed up their government is. My prayers go out to the hiker's families. Lonn Selbst B. Huston: Please let them go. They and thier families need them! I'm sending up prayers every day for your release!!! Anne Lilly Sara Nicole Miller: Sarah, Shane and Josh: know that you are loved so much and there are tons of people all over the world thinking of and supporting you and your safe release! Stay strong; look within yourselves for the strength to endure this...you have it in you. And especially Sarah, I send you tons of good will and hugs. I cant imagine what you are going through, alone, isolated and in poor health. You will get through this!!! Just think of others that have had to endure the same (Nelson Mandela, Mumia Abu Jamal, the list goes on...) You're not alone. Muchos besos y abrazos de Buenos Aires, Argentina!!! Jim Malone Naomi Starr Kathryn Heidel: Show your humanity. This is NOT political. andy Courtney Greiner Nancy Hafner Sydney Ford Anonymous Gregory B Hill: I know of Sarah, Shane, and Josh only from the news stories, but those stories indicate to me that these are nice young people who wanted to see beautiful areas in Iraq, crossed into Iran accidentally, and were probably completely unaware of the danger they were in and were not government agents. They certainly accepted risk to go hiking where they did, but that indicates only that they were adventurers. If anything they sound like the type of person that could help to heal troubled relations, not harm them further. Please release them. Arthur Jenkins: Please free these travelers and stop this nonsense.These students are innocent and holding them captive only worsens our relations with you...Iranians Kathy Wood Gene Crout: The kidnapping and incarceration of these kids is an act of war and the US government should not stand for it. Laura Garner Jessica Ann Westlund: We are keeping them in our prayers! Debbie Rodden: Please free Sarah, Josh and Shane, they have been there way too long already. Maria Diaz: I will keep praying for them! Briana Riley Ben Cuentas: From the DOD. Patricia Meadows Melissa Moore: Please let them go home! Elizabeth Hammen Laura Harpestad John: To you three who are unconstitutionally detained... We have not forgotten about you. Stay strong. We hope to see your release very soon. Diona Reasonover: Please let these young people come home. Laura Cook: Mr President, what are you doing to help these CHILDREN? Andy Cooper susan bendickson: We are praying for you! Adam Carapellotti Nicolle Wiski: Please release these young people to their families. Teresa Garcia Shelly McCormick Anonymous Tiffany Sarah Thomas Corey Kinsella: It is not too late to make things right. Please release these hikers to their friends and family. Then take a moment to show your own families how much you love them. Anonymous: Please release these young people. They made a mistake and pose no threat. Please let them return to their families. Deirdre Watts: This kind of pressure from the American public helped to free Roxana Sabari last year. Send these American citizens home! Fred Simmons Anonymous Thomas Anonymous Monica Ramirez: Please, for the sake of existence. There aren't very many good people left in the world. These people are good. Let them go Anonymous Anonymous Jerri Ann Shields: I do not know these people, but I am sure their families have worried and need to have them home. These three could not be too big of a threat to Iran, as hiking was their only intent. kamran: I am Kamran from Iran hopes that Iran Rzhm you as soon as possible to release you back into the arms of his family Anonymous: sick and wrong! Robert S. Hazelton: There's a simple remedy for this misunderstanding: Let these innocent people have their freedom now. Haley Boatwright Cathy Anonymous Doreen Falk Kaitlin Cole: PLease please free these kids. They need medical attention and everyone back home would love to have them safe and sound. Leisa J: This will happen,they will be walk out alive.If any one of authority see's this story please help these young people. Anonymous: FREE THE THREE!!! Laura Osborne Neil Johnston: The Muslim world is irrational and vile - this event only strengthens that assertion. Let these people out of your country. Anonymous: Please let them go, they are wrongly detained! Anonymous Anonymous kelly mitchell Tammie: Please let them come home. Our prayers are with you from Arkansas. Brian Sexton: I am very sorry for what is happening to them. I couldn't even imagine what everyone is going through. I wish them the best and will be praying for them. Jennifer Havens: Show some human compassion and please let these people come home. Quinn Painter Amber Alison Avery: These are innocent kids!!! Please free them and make this right! Anonymous Anonymous Melissa Byrd: I can't believe this has been going on nearly a year and today is the first time I heard about it. Is signing a petition all that we can do? I can't imagine what they are going through. I am literally sick about it. I will keep Shane, Sarah, and Josh, AND their parents in my prayers. I have a son about their age and to think that something like this could happen--it's unfathomable. Stacie TERRY YEARY Jen Gassaway Natalie Asikainen Troy Mack susan oliver: PLease free the hickers thats really dumb to hold people just because they accidentaily stepped over the line iran need to wake up dont they have better things to do than hold americans that were simply having a great day an minding there own business release them please Ed and Sandra Kaleigh Sullivan mike flores: This is going out to the iranian goverment please let these people go so they could be with there familys Anonymous Anonymous: These hikers deserve to go home. They don't deserve to be locked up in Iran. They didn't do anything wrong! How are you supposed to know what country is which when you hike in the middle of nowhere? Worthy Johnson Kevin Hoffman: Imprison only the guilty for a true crime done against your country and let these 3 innocent Americans come home, they have more than served thier time for their mistake! Anonymous Anonymous: There is no justice in this. They are being held as a bargaining chip. Anonymous Scott Reedy Elizabeth Caryn Azure brian sullivan: if GOD is one to all nations so they too must honor GOD and release thier own brothers for we are all not different on the inside but what is in your heart that makes you who you are GOD bless them and keep them lord you can release them in jesus name amen . Randa Hamman: I plea that the Iranian Gov. well do what is right and realize the mistakes that have been made. Please be merciful to the three Americans in your captivity. Let them come home. All of America would be grateful to you if you would just set them free. They had no intentions of harm or spy activity. May God watch over them, keep their spirits high and worries low. My sincerest thoughts go out to the families. Wendy Smetana Anonymous tom avino: Do the right thing please. Angie Borowski: Why? denise keelan: Being a mother of a son who also travels extensively, I cannot even imagine the heartache this is causing the families and friends. Show some compassion and release these 3 americans! Sayra Maberry: Pleas release these young people to come home to their family and get needed medical attention. Amanda E. Muhleisen Marcy Murphy mike barber Anonymous Anonymous: PLEASE do the right thing!! Grecia A Hernandez: Faith et justice pour tous! Keefe lobb Michael Chaplin: Please send them home and let them be treated medically - then sort out any other complications. Dawn Chandler: My heart goes out to you and your families. I hope that you are released soon. Erin Scott Jennifer Brzoski: How would you feel if these were your children. They didn't mean to do anything against your culture. Kelly Anonymous John Colaruotolo: Please free these young kids! They were simply enjoying the scenery and nature of the world while hiking. Ryan Peters: Please. Anonymous Sean Dowling: Let them go! Dayna Kendall Patricia: Please show some compassion to these unfortunate innocents!!! Brandi Williams Anonymous Larisa Zubkova Anonymous Anonymous: I hope that all three reunite with family soon. Angela Velazquez: They stay in my heart and will always be in my prayers Anonymous: This is so sad to read. I hope and pray that they will come home safe and sound very soon. God Bless Them and their familys Anonymous: Please leave the politics out of it and let Shane, Sarah, And Josh come home. Kelsy Morrison melissa Mr & Mrs C Wolf: Unbelievable! Situations like this break my heart. Please free Sarah, Shane and Josh. Im sure all they want to do is get back home to their families. Veronica: GOD bless these individuals, Hope the Iranian Govt. finds it in their heart to free them and let them come home! Josh, Sarah and Shane, "Stay strong and optimistic!" I will keep all 4 of you in my prayers. Tracey Hamilton Brielle Silvestri Anonymous: I'm praying for the release of Josh, Shane, and Sarah. I hope the Iranian government will also give them any medical care that is needed. This is a travesty!!! Let them know we care about them and not to give up. Anonymous Anonymous Katherine Crandall: Our prayers are with you, and your family. Heidi MacVane Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS! Lisa: Prayers for the safe release of these three innocent individuals Anonymous Carmen Ross: My sympathy and support goes out to the prisoners and their families. Alison Daubenmier Kristen Heidemann Jessica Olson Jennifer Thompson Martha Bentley Anonymous Eric Marsh: It's absurd to make those accusations against these hikers! Heather Musanti: Free the people! Phil D Jessie Auger Heather Overton Leah Norris Anonymous Kambria Johnson Cheryl Burns: I can't believe the Iranian govt seriously thinks that they are spies for the US. My prayers are with them and their families. May they be released very soon. God be with them all! hamed: Innocent civilians detained in the prisons of the fascist regime of the Islamic Republic must be released Alexandra Kyritsopoulos Angie Ion Pollard Anonymous Shannon Luczaj Emily Sarah Barmeyer AJ Turner Anonymous Anonymous Sam Sobel Lindsay Harris: Please allow Shane, Sarah and Josh to speak to their attorney if not their family. They do not mean any harm to Iran. Melinda Sims: The hikers are in my prayers! I hope they are released soon. They shouldn't have to pay because America and Iran can't see eye to eye. It's not right. Sally Marie Proctor Holly Brasseaux: Please allow these 3 persons to be let go. They did no wrong except to cross the INVISIBLE boundary, it's called human error. May the Lord give those 3 the strength to survive this and may He set them free.....In the Mighty Name of Jesus......AMEN!!!! pauline anderson Noel Raleigh: A true tragedy and abuse of power =( Melissa Humphries Darren: I didn't realize these folks were still imprisoned... let them go already! corey richardson Anonymous Daniel Lovett kerry clark: you know these young adults are not spies, or they would not have gone into that territory. Jaci Guerena Anonymous Anonymous cara concannon: in my heart and in my prayers! megan welch TV Mott: Stay strong. Karine Chalifoux Amy Ryan: There are no words. I pray for the safe return of Shane, Sarah and Josh. Anonymous Brian Handler Alex Ayris Anonymous Jessica Lynn REBECCA DURBIN Anonymous: Please free the hikers. Michelle Mott Polly Merriman: May God's speed be with you. Anonymous Emily Mahon Charles Watkins: Where is the humanity and community? Please let these explorers go. Elizabeth Blanco Christina Meisch Anonymous: These three wonderful, young people were doing ntohing wrong.They were enjoying a day hike in the mountains when this most unfortunate ACCIDENT happened. Please, I pray and hope that you will have compassion and allow Shane, Sarah and Josh freedom for them to come home and be reunited with thier family & friends who miss them and want them home so desperately. Anonymous: My prayers and thoughts are with these three young people and their families. Dana Gray Anonymous: It is a shame that innocent people pay for Iran's fear. These three hikers have nothing to do with any politics or government issues. I hope they are released soon and get to go home. It is absolutely not fair that they are in jail for entering Iran by mistake. Anonymous: Please release them, find the humnaity in your hearts- what if it was your child, your sister, your son, your brother? How would you feel if the roles were reversed? Please be the kind person that I know that you are. Tammy Jowers Anonymous Amber Renee Lasher: Let there be light and hope and strength. Many, many prayers for a safe and swift end to this which can only be described as unjust. Love Meghan Carney: Please let Shane, Sarah, and Josh get home to their families. They have been locked up long enough and didn't even deserve it. Anonymous: Please let them return to their families!! Crystal Gerard: Stay mentally strong and always keep your family in your heart. Everyone is praying for you. Jenny Marable: They will be in my thoughts and prayers on a daily basis. Rachel Brasher: Praying for peace and compassion for all parties involved... Anonymous Shagun Ahluwalia: Iran, these are innocent people. Release them. Regina: Constantly Praying ebony mapp alicia stewert: please Rebekah D. Hewlett Anonymous Sarah Combs Jennifer Lefler: i hope they are freed soon, this is so wrong. americans would never do this to one of there people. good luck and god bless you all Anonymous: Please let them go. It was an honest mistake and the world needs to see compassion from a country not usually known for it. Please Kim Wing Laura Loukotova Anonymous: Please release the hikers. We're all humans. Jenniffer Harris: Free these people! This is ridiculous!!! Anonymous: Please free these innocent people. These are innocent lives, not bargaining ships. They don't deserve to be held in prison. J.Sague Tessa Barron: God speed to return home.. and may His gift of Grace give Shane,Josh,Sara and their families comfort through this time. Michelle Belin Jen Mueller Barbara Velline Lacy Cox Victoria Anthony: My thoughts and prayers are with S.S.J. God bless you. Shalee: We are praying for the safe return of Josh, Sarah and Shane. Anonymous: This has gone on WAY to long. Somebody has got to do something to resolve this issue and bring our people back home where they belong. Where are our senator's etc when we need them. This is ridiculous. Christina S* Magalie Bonhomme Shannon Lee Karen Stein: Please free these inoccent young americans. Heather Murphy: DONT STOP UNTIL WE GET THEM OUT!! Anonymous: Many prayers for their safety and return Daisy Welton: My thoughts and prayers go out to these three people and their families. I wish for their return home. Anonymous: This is just another example of why this country is viewed poorly throughout the world. Vianey Escobar: May the lord send his angels to protect and be with each one of them. Amen Meggan Anonymous Anonymous Ashley Riggs Shannon Thomas Stacie Johnson NREMT-P Andrea Bledsoe: Please release the hikers! Barbara: Any thing I have to say about Iran isn't printable! We are praying for you all. allie swartzer Susan Gladman: While I do not know these young people, if it were my child or children being held I would want everything humanly possiable to be done to bring them home. I pray to God that they will be released and sent home to be given proper medical attention and be able to once again see their famlies. Lynn Fladebo Anton Venev Lauren Sharkey Katherine Olivo: I pray for their safe return. Katherine Good Danielle Camirand Anne McNiff Sasha Azadi Laura. Hackman Mallory Hagy: "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear." - Mark Twain - Marcy Pusey Jesica Harness: I pray for their safe return.... Maura O\'Neill Khaki Wieters Ashley Spore James Phil Ryan: Help the kids!!! Kyle Blaha Anonymous: I have 2 college-aged children of my own. I cannot fathom the pain that all 3 families involved must be going through. And to now hear that 2 of the jailed Americans are in poor health is very, very troubling. I respectfully ask the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release these innocent young adults. Patrick Daniels Heather Cornett: Please return these children safely to their families. Laurie Bremer Anonymous Christi Willette ashley winkler David Valentine: I am praying for their safe return and health. This is a travesty and in direct violation of their humanity/rights. With love David Valentine Lesley Denise Hernandez ELIZABETH HOLMES: Please let these beautiful, young, vibrant people come home to a country full of family and friends anxiously awaiting their safe return. Anonymous Carolyn Croom: Hugs and Prayers to Shane, Sarah, Josh and their families. Anonymous: what the hell is the us government doing about this....?? why isn't obama personally involved with this?? julie erickson: im praying for all of you and all the families who awate the safe return of their children...... Bronwen Harrison: It was an unmarked boarder head shake...Let these three beautiful bright young people go! Amy Crowder: These are innocent lives. This is absolutely wrong but then again can't expect much more from a country like Iran. Sterling: We send our prayers of your peaceful return Becky Amos Nick Parsons John McFarland: Note to the Islamic Republic....Let them free NOW. Read this BOOK: "My Prison My Home" and discover the true intent of the captors/illegal detainers of our young citizens. paul gagnon: I pray for you . please come home Benny Hernandez: Keeping you in our prayers, know that you will be coming home soon. God will lift your spirits. Anonymous Rebecca Dickerson: I'm urging our government to exercise their considerable power in this world to free these Americans who are being held unjustly. Anonymous Donna Adair Brian Van Meter: I'd urge the Obama administration to move forward with additional force. Iran is obviously using the this as a political tactic. snake: Bring em all back home! Iran, please free the hikers soon shawn killin K. Thomas: I hope this helps! Anonymous Ian Abblett: Please? Doris Fruman Diane Prater Anonymous Timothy R. Campbell: Respectfully, these three young people should not be held as pawns in a political process between two nations. Please release them. Anonymous Diana Knight: On your web site, President Ahmadinejad, you state that peace is important to you, please let the world see that by releasing these three hikers to their families. Let them go home. Stephen Hopkins Stephen Deshaies: The longer the 3 young adults are held in Iran, the more the world sees Iran for what they are. Iran has no respect for humanity. God Bless you all! Connie James Crystal Hurt: Shane, Sarah, and Josh, may you come home soon!! Anonymous: To The Government of the Islamic Republic, Please free those you have detained in your prison. Shane, Sarah, and Josh need to get back to their families and do not deserve this harsh punishment when they did not intend to cross borders into Iran. Shane, Sarah, and Josh did not realize that they had crossed over into your country. They meant absolutely no disrespect to your people or your land. Please show compassion in this unfortunate situation and release them as soon as possible. Thank you Amber L. Sheffield Anonymous: Please! Mirna Vergara Caroline Teixeira: In a gesture of peace please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Anonymous Corrine Burau: Please allow them to come home to the family and friends that miss them so much. I am sure they are very sorry. Please set them free. Michael Rush: Please in the name of Allah have mercy on the hikers. Kira Roberson Carmen Bruno brian miller Thomas Carr: Free the hikers Anonymous Yessenia Joshua Rosenfeld Anonymous Irene Whte: My thoughts and prayers are with these families. Warner Leeds: Please release these innocent people. Hollie Overton Rebecca Rustin: get home safe. Sara Campbell: As a mother, I ask the Iranian government to release these young people. Trine Bork Kristensen John Gravely Cynthia Bartley Anonymous kathryn rodrigues Mary Jane Wilcox: Please show some compassion and release them. Rebecca Insley: Praying for your safe return! alice smith: please, let these kids go. They are all sorry for any wrong doing by coming into your country. I'm sure they mean you no harm. May GOD be with them and with there families. May GOD's will be done. Peace to you and to them. May no harm be done to them, they are innocent people. Florencia Lebensohn-Chialvo Jennifer Jensen: Will be praying for you all. Hoping for the best. Jordan Teplitz mark clark: Please release Sarah, Shane & Josh they ment no harm to anyone. Stacey Piefer Megan Gustkey: Please release them to their families! Anonymous: Please release Josh, Sarah and Shane. Angela Coumb: My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kim Dennis Mojado: Please release Josh, Sarah and Shane to their families. They have done no harm. Joshua Weber: God Bless Anonymous: We will pray for you. John West Anonymous Gracie Zvara jake best Alyssa Whitcraft Hannah McOwen: please let these young people have their due process. Karen Armstrong Kathryn Kristyna Jeannette Ortt Max Stelmacker: We would do the same if our country had border mistakes. Linda Barton Tesa Laskin Anonymous: really? let's start treating people as individuals. Anonymous Monique Orieux Stephanie Gower: This is my "Yellow Ribbon" David Betner: For the sake of all things right and just, please free these good people. Mike james Anonymous Kerry Barrera: Hikers hold on to your faith. Iran, show MERCY, now ! Mark Riffe J. Steven Fairly: Please keep the faith. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers. YOU WILL BE COMMING HOME. Ellen Vincent Robin Davis Linda Bush Insley Michael Timothy McAlevey: Seriously need to force the issue. Sandy Zeldes Jon Rodney konrad chen Anonymous Tanveer Ahmed: They were just hikers. Anonymous Anonymous: I think we need to organize a protest in this country on the same day. I'm sick of them being held and we seem silent about the issue. Kaysi Contreras Anonymous Anonymous Dr. P. K. Willey Melissa Abrahams: Please show compassion for these people. Thank you. tariq kidwai: I hope that Iranian authorities will seriously consider the petition on humanitarian grounds,free the derainees. andrew Cotogni Sam Urquhart Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Morgan Maloney vaughn fulton: free these people Sandra Vinup Henson: Either release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal or show proof to the world that they were spies. I think you have no proof and that you feel this is the only way you can show any sort of power, however illegitimate it may be, over the United States. If the hikers are well, and if they are treated with dignity, why not allow one or all of their families to come to Iran and visit with them so they can see how they are held in your jails? Is it because they will then find that they are sick, and being treated the same or worse than you treat your own citizens when they are jailed? We have a saying in America--"Put up or shut up". Show your proof or release them. Paul Wright Anonymous Lisa Klakulak: When I read about these three people, I felt as if I already knew who they were. They are me, they are my friends, they are the people who travel the world to learn about other cultures first hand so not to fall prey to generalizations about others religions and ways of life. May the Iranian government recognize their value to the world and not perpetuate the fear that keeps so many from traveling abroad. Anonymous Anonymous Daniel Letovsky jujlie smith Anonymous: Please set things right. These three are someone's son or daughter, someone's friend, someone's hero. Let them continue this. Erika Kabilian Jacob Nazareth Blackwell Kate Sakmann Allison Osborne Anonymous Anonymous: Please free these hikers, they have committed no crime. One of them was my friend's TA while she studied abroad and she is very concerned about his safety. Please show some compassion and allow them to leave. Anonymous Alice Zic Anonymous Jackie Walstrom: send them home! Amy Anderson Vincent Ganzon: Stay Strong. You will return safely with haste I am sure. Celeste Azevedo Juliana do Amaral Hickey Sallie James Ben Mercadante: This is a shameful way to treat young people who are coming up in a very disrupted world in which the disturbances they had little to do with. Personally, they have each chosen to seek progressive avenues that work towards global unity and equity in their education and early involvment. Irony is what comes to mind, so please help get these people back on track, doing for the world communities better things. Ashley Louks James Archie Anonymous Greg Boyle Smith Curly/Frizzles/Sam: I sincerely hope that the Iranian Government will release these hikers, they have not meant anyone any harm. They have families back in America, and no doubt their families or them could have never foreseen this happening. Edie Weinstein: Please free these innocent hikers. Please do the right thing and let them go. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous James Hardy Melissa Spence Jeannine Laverty: Let these young people come home and get on with their lives, please. Paulette Kenyon: I just heard about this website on CSPAN and I'm so glad I can do something to possibly help by adding my name to this petition and my voice saying to please free these young people who meant no harm. Nan Davis Anonymous: Please allow our children to come home. John M Gercis Laurel Johnson Anonymous: please show compasaion, i do not believe that these people would violate your laws intentialy. cookie correll: If the world good have a cup of tea together, we would realize we are more alike than not. I am praying that the Iranian government would free Shane, Sarah and Josh. As experienced travelers they would never enter Iran on purose and realize they made a grave mistake too late. I appeal to the Islamic Republic of Iran to show compassion for these three and secure their release as soon as possible. Sally Smolinski: Iran, It is so obvious that these kids are simply hikers who, accidentally, stepped over the, unmarked, border. Please show the World your compassion, and send them home to their families and friends. Karen Larson Bonnie Anderson: Please free these three young people who have families who need them. Please show compassion for these three innocent Americans. Shayna Berkowitz Hugh Casey: By holding innocent people captive Iran is also holding itself captive within its own borders .By freeing them now Iran will also be freeing itself. Do not fear freedom. Susanne Lowensohn: I'm pleading to the Iranian Government to allow for the release of these people. marsha Aymeric Beard DKK: HAVE MERCY ON US ALL FOR OUR MISUNDERSTANDINGS RESOLVE IN GODS NAME AND IN GOOD FAITH.GODS WILL BE DONE. SET THEM FREE. Nancy E. Vitale: My prayers will be directed to address the release of the hikers and all journalists, writers and bloggers presently being held in Iran. I pray also for the emergence of the free society with no elements of oppression or cruelty that was predicted by Ayatollah Khomeini on the eve of the Islamic Revolution in 1978. Ben Capps Anonymous: Please free my fellow Berkeley graduates! Grant Smith PJ Tarallo: Wake Forest shows its support. Melinda Garand: Praying for their safe return as soon as possible! Sarah Pennep: I will pray for their well being and safe return. Anonymous Ashlee Nazzaro: How can the Iranian government be open to a prisoner-swap and still claim that these three are spies?? Tom Wolfe: Canmore, Alberta, Canada Anonymous Anonymous russell garofalo Anonymous Vincent Ganzon: Stay Strong!!!! Anonymous: Iran, please free these people soon. Thank you. Daniel Baker Anonymous Abby Lippman Joseph Delahanty Anica Olson: Words can't even begin to explain ...... I pray for all three of you and your safe return where you belong - HOME. Sarah Frazier Jesse Arnold Sara: It is disgusting how Iran uses even foreigners to enforce its will on the world. They expect that with these hostages, the world will do as they please.... I hope the 3 hikers will be released very soon!!! Michelle Ferng Amber Delahanty Leanne Barley: Please let them come home. They did you no harm. Laura Duncan: These hikers made a mistake and didn't intend to cross any boundaries. For the sake of their health, send them home! Donald Kerr Skip Rohde Kymberli Contreras and Richard Thompson: We beseech the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran with all due respect to release the three hikers to the US. Thank you very much in advance. Andrew Martin Anonymous Anonymous: Iran will do the right thing, and release these innocent people. Anonymous Nan Durantini Jaime mulholland Joshua Haroldsen: Compassion=Strength Dennis McDonald: Let them go home. Hurting them does no one any good. Jean Schiffman Julia Greenbaum sharon markenson: Sarah is one of my daughter's best friends, and I knew her from childhood as a gentle free spirit. She and Shane went to Damascus to understand and participate in Middle Eastern cultures so they could do what they could to promote peace and understanding. Her correspondence from Damascus was full of insight and reflection about the everyday lives of ordinary people, and the joy she experienced in getting to know them. There is a terrible irony in these compassionate, peace-loving young people being caught in a political net. Iran, do the right thing and free them, or continue looking, in the eyes of the international community, unreasonable and unmerciful. Ruth Britton: -Have mercy on these young people who have been imprisoned too long. Please release them. Jeff Prentice: "We must become the change we want to see" -Gandhi, "Stop being so lame Iran. Seriously." -Me Enrique Ferro: Please respect the law, and grant them a humane treatment, let them communicate with their families and lawyers. They are entitled to due process. Anne Shaver Sarah Dewey Benjamin Fife Sarah Barnard Tony Griffin: This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it. ~ Abraham Lincoln Jessica Newman: That our government has not gotten the hikers home already is absolutely ridiculous. Sending such positive love to the three in prison and to families here. Let's pray and hope that our government can do something about this. Christopher Norberg Anonymous: Have compassion please! Betsy Anonymous Jenny Liang Jennifer & Chad Sander Rachel Prentice Sandra Konta Jeff Stark Nancy Keim Comley Felicja Channing: This is a gross violation of our human spirit, a will to live in the world. I hope that governments and other such powerful entities do not continue to harass innocent people out of fear. These people are entitled to due process, it is a human right. Dylan Roberts: hoping to see these comrades freed. Taylor Roesch Anonymous: Representative Khazaee, we implore of you to please make every effort to see that these young people return home. They are a pure symbol of passion and tolerance of all cultures and communities. Their only purposes were that of exploration and education; their imprisonment only fosters intolerance and squelches the very purpose and mission that is the intention of your position. Anonymous Roderick Lapid: More needs to be done to get this in the public consciousness. I wish I knew what to do to help. dave dressman Tracy Rapplin Genevieve Guertin: Iran, please free these young people. They did nothing but be curious about the world they live in and go on a simple walk in a place with which they were unfamiliar. I understand that a country must protect its borders, but it will serve no purpose - nor afford any strategic advantage - to punish these people in this way. Please show off your good will to the rest of the world and free Sarah, Shane and Josh so that they can go home and see their families again. Kimia Haddadan: Every time that somebody talks to me about these hikers being detained in Iran, I feel ashamed. I feel responsible that the country that represents my nationality is harming innocent people. I wish for a day to come that the word "Iran" doesn't bring up bad memories among people of the world. Jennifer Milam Erin Mendoza: Please let them go. Jerusalem E. White: I am praying for their safe release in Yahshua’s name. Jeffrey R. Heller Jr.: I am a Philosophy student at San Francisco Community College in California. My logic professor, Mr. Graves, made us aware today, 4/26/10, of this unfortunate misunderstanding. Shane Bauer was "one of [his] best students." Shane Bauer graduated from University of California Berkeley with honors and received a degree in War and Peace Time Studies. I severely doubt that this individual is an agent of ANY covert organization. Shane, for the entirety of his adult life, has shown nothing but respect, compassion, and care for no particular faction save that of human beings. Please find cause to incorporate wisdom in your decisions, and to not perpetuate the arrogance of our own. luke wells Tyler: Please free Shane, Sarah and Josh! Hilary Singer Anonymous: Please, do the right thing and release Josh, Sarah and Shane. Nigel beck Henriette Boom Jonathan Stegall Nathan Frandino: This is sickening. The U.S. government needs to take action now. How long will it be before the suffering of these hikers ends? What kind of compassion does the U.S. have if these hikers continue to be detained? Quit playing games with the Iranian government and find a way to free these good people. Orion Zangara: Please release these innocent people. Their families need them. Erica Torres Robyn: We'd appreciate your compassion by extending a little grace and releasing our friends. Alvin Meyer Anonymous Shannon Frawley Sam Lowery Jordan Beall Melissa Patrick Linn: Please, release these young people! Kathi Coleman Wilson: Sending prayers and love Anonymous Derek Moluf: At the very least, the government of Iran should obey its own laws. These hikers have been charged with illegal border crossing, and, in Iran, the punishment for that is a fine, not indefinite imprisonment. The government of Iran must obey and enforce its own laws. If it doesn't, its laws will become meaningless. Terry Armstrong Anne Hoblitt: Human rights above political standoffs! Nancy Fu Natalie Karneef Anonymous David Morrison Anonymous Marc Silverstein Tony Asimakopoulos Alexa Amin Sarah McDonald Anonymous: we are praying for the safe return of shane, sarah and josh Cole Cottin Anonymous Theodore Coords: You know they aren't spies. You are just trying to use them for puposes that are wrong. Act civilized. Carolyn Roundey Anonymous Stephanie Finigan Llary Zang Sara Rogalla Anonymous Anonymous Dalton Parker: Let them go, Why prolong this? Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Please, our world has so many troubles, please free these hikers so that we can all concentrate on helping those in great need. Craig Wright Marcia Koenig Anonymous: I really want them free as much as the moms do because its not right Anonymous: These hikers deserve to be freed and to return to their homes and their families!! Amy Augustine Barbara White Marlynn Silver Anonymous Ryann M. Andrew S. Higgins Alexia Neonakis Kyle Carson: Forgive them for their mistake and let them go home! Anonymous Tory Hyndman: Please see the truth of this story as they were simply enjoying the beauty of your country and by accident crossed the unmarked border. They came to your country to experience the culture and see the beautiful country, not for any illegal actions. May they enjoy freedom again, which is the right of every living creature, and allow them to return to their life of peace and happiness. Marineide Camara: I hope that the God that iranian people belives comes with all strength and make them understand that they don´t have the right to arrest innocent people. The sun rises for everyone, we don´t have to ask for Iranian Government´s mercy, but yes ask them to do what is right FREE THE HIKERS,nobody can control the world, they were just traveling on the earth that Live created for everyone. Iran let them back home, let us believe that Iranian government respect human rights Brad Mallett: I pray that Shane, Sarah, and Josh will be released swiftly and can come home to their families as soon as possible. Anonymous maryam Erin Pillman susan witz: Please work with the families and the government representatives to resolve this conflict amicably & quickly, please. Elaine Zecher Suzanne Boxer-Gassman: These young people intended no harm. They need to be released. Anonymous Robin Spindt: People should be free to travel around the world - and other people should leave them alone lida: A teacher from Iran:many people in iran and I know they are innocent but our goverment.... Audrey Ginsburg: These young people are innocent. They did not do anything wrong. Please send them back to their families and friends. Linda Kauvar Anonymous Mary Abrums Robyn: Please do what's right -- it's the humanitarian and compassionate thing to do, given the innocence of these young people. hooman Melissa Di Rito: Please free the Sarah, Shane and Josh now! May they safely find their way back to their families and loved ones. My thoughts are with you. Darlene Motley Iraj: Please let the hikers free Anonymous Mary E French Francesca Fiorentini Jaspreet Singh, Esq. Anonymous: I hope you find in your heart the kidness to release those youngsters. Lizzy Doe Nick Peterson Shannon McCool: Please let these hikers go and let them reunite with their families! todd lazar Julie Cook Justin R. Blum Kriss Eckenrode Mohsen Marsha Blum: These are also G-d's children, please afford them the same consideration as you would to your own children. Thank you very much. Anonymous Megan Summers Eva Carter: They will be coming home soon i have been praying for them and i know many others as well. Dear lord we put this whole situation in your hands please soften the hearts of the officials to release them. Please give them strength during this storm please show them you are there . Thank you lord for hearing my prayer and thank you for all the answered prayer you have already done for me and my family. In Jesus name AMEN Jan Tervydis Kevin O\'Connor Lisa Geller: Please release these innocent hikers Nathan Hill: Free them now!!! Stephen Slater azar John Ragan Dennis Grey Pooneh Navab Steve: When I was at UC (Berkeley and Davis) in the 70's/80's, Iranians of varying political persuasions were fellow students. One did not question their motivations. I urge you, fairness for the hikers! Tatiana Subbotin: There is no reason for this detainment. The hikers should be released immediately as they meant no harm. Anonymous Laura Worobetz: I am the 11,686th to send hope and wishes for a compassionate release of the three hikers. Elizabeth Jardina Martha Brickey Amy Machnak Molly Anonymous Andrew McNamara Ellen Gallagher Eric Drew Bennett Friedrich Schulte-Hillen Anonymous Sam Hanna Josh Lynch: This is a heart-wrenching story. I can imagine myself in their shoes. We must do what we can to make sure these three are released. Hfelknor: C'mon Iran. they rather obviously are not spies. Show us that Islam really is a religion of peace. Elizabeth de Rham Anonymous Jonas Ecke Brent Armendinger Sepehr Michael Wong: These three people have worked hard to support peace, a clean environment, and other progressive causes. The Iranian government must know this out by now, so they have no justification to claim these three are spies. They should be released immediately. Hannah Clayton Deepak limbu: please free the innocent. its just the matter of where they are born but we are same we are human, we can love and we have family. please forget the anger and dont put the anger on them they were only visiting nature . just forget about the lines and rules people made and think about the mankind and this earth as one. please Anonymous Darrin F Moore Tara Whelan Anthony Van Pham Anonymous Anonymous: God bless you Alexa Markley Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Susan Olshuff David Cheney: Please show the American people, and the people of the world, that Iran and their government are Ambassadors for Peace by releasing Sarah, Shane, and Josh. This gesture would be a great step for Iran in convincing the world that they support peace. Bruce DeBoskey Ardalaan Peeroozi: It is shameful there is no mention of the hikers in the US media. I do not see any difference between their plight and that of the American hostages for 444 days back in 1980-1981. Shame on the US government and the media. Steve Morse thanh nguyen Rachel Anonymous: Please let them come home. They have done nothing wrong. Patrick Lincoln Anonymous Javier Medrano: Why have there been no diplomatic attempts with Iran to free our people? Amanda Angelotti Max Silver Donagh Davis Regina Marotto Laura DiGiulio Anonymous mark hefflinger Kimberly Miles Anonymous Kathryn Colasanti: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh come home. kimberly mishoe Patrice Lindstrom Anonymous Jean Tepperman hoyt fay: My heart goes to their families and friends. Both governments should use all their power to release these students! Anonymous Raymond S. Puzio Alicia Moore Anonymous Anonymous Peter Secrist: Let these people go home ... Neil Satterlund: We'll get you out as soon as we can. Lisa Whitlock Annie Parker Jeremy Gowell: I'm praying that the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion and release you as soon as possible. Bruce Kelley: The US should stand up for their citizens, now!! Mykl Friend Anonymous: Prove the world wrong and show your humanity!! Terri Lawson Brandon Meyers Evan Cohen anne Buigues Anonymous: Please allow all three to return to their families as a goodwill gesture. Fr. Hugo Franca: Peace! Anonymous Anonymous osvaldo lucca: Please let these innocent individuals go. Shanna Price Doron Comerchero: I wish to formally ask the Iranian Government to release these people as a gesture of their power. Efrat Gavriel Jesse Mejia Anonymous Anonymous Mahtab Roni Lipstein: It seems to me that the police department in Iran and anywhere for that matter, have much more serious individuals whom the greater citizenship {of any location} would require protection from, than 3 innocent kids on a hiking vacation trip whom accidently wandered over an unKNOWn, unseen border line. There are many other viable negotiating tools I AM assured can BE found for whatever objectives are in place, other than the lives, health & well BEing of 3 young individuals, and let's face it......it really isn't great PR NOW, is it..... It would seem to me that it IS in the best interest of ALL concerned that these INNOCENT individuals be SET FREE and returned HOME to their FAMILIES where they SHOULD BE. Blessedly BE Marvi Pruitt Shruti Nagar Lyndal Bale an unknown Iranian: please free the hikers as soon as possible. Sofie van Veen Jane Cutting Priya Gopalakrishnan: Please, show some compassion towards Shane, Sarah and Josh. Best, Priya Ross Hurlbert: Prayers and thoughts. Nora Meyers Shonnie Ball Marco DiMaccio Jonathan Maberry: Using kids as pawns in the game of politics is vile. Iran -do the right thing and send those kids home to their parents! Anonymous Nancy Allan Nik Ortman Catalina Romero Samuel Burris DeBoskey J. Adam Milgram Anonymous Michael McBrearty Jennifer J. L. Timmons: Please allow your compassion and humanity to come forth towards your fellow human beings. Shane, Sarah, and Josh meant no harm to ANYONE. They are all about promoting peace and understanding, and had no intention of entering Iran. Rob Manauis: Support human rights and social justice! Be the change you wish to see in the world! Darcy Allen Anonymous: Please release these innocent kids. Gillian SCHEMBRI kate neuman Anonymous: Please for the sake of all humanity, free the hikers who meant no harm. Search deep into your hearts and know that your own children could make a similar mistake and we too, would be asking for their freedom as well. Blessing on the hikers heads, and yours as well if you allow them freedom. Please we beg you for this. Li Cornfeld Anonymous Dominica Bartlett: Please let them go free Amy Weiss Amanda Meyer Sandra Johnson Amanda E Darlene Schwartz Anonymous Anonymous Viviane GAD: nothing more than what had be said or wrotten, just, to the responsables: let them free and iranian people with them Anonymous Bruce Tarin Anonymous Jane Taylor: Please let Shane, Sarah and Josh home to their family and friends Anonymous Sandy Hinding Shannon Abby Miller Cathy Kerbert: I am praying for the release of Josh, Sarah, and Shane. Please know that there are millions of people in the world praying for your release!!! We don't all know you but we know that you did not wish ill will to Iran in any way. I pray that the Iranian government will do the right thing and release you very quickly. May God be with you: Josh, Sarah, and Shane! God Bless you. Please know that people will continue to press for your release so please try to stay strong. Deena A. Miller: I hope your minds have found a level of peace in the middle of this unbelievable situation. Alison Dalton Smith thomas f duchen: May wisdom prevail,send the hikers home and may there be peace on Earth for all people. barbara kataisto: please free the hikers Patrick Adams Anonymous Gibb Taylor: Please do the right thing and let them return to their homes. Peter Taylor Michael Peters Anonymous: i beleive there innocent: please release them!!! Alina Gallo Anonymous: let them go home. Eliza Taylor: Please let them return home. These innocent students do not deserve to be detained because of a mistake that could have happened to anyone. Lauren Edie Rathbone George V Corr: This is an absolute travesty. Politicians using people as pawns yet again! My thoughts are with the 3 kids. Whitney Patterson Jeff Chagnon Cynthia Weatherford Rachel S: PLEASE FREE THEM! This breaks my heart. Anonymous: Please let them return safely to their families. Prachi Patel Anonymous Katie Light Priya Patel Aly Kohlmeyer: I pray daily for their release! Neal Grasdalen Anonymous: To claim these 3 hikers had another motive than just vacationing (hiking) is ridiculous. The whole world is waiting for you to release these hikers. They are being used as pawns in a political game you have with the U.S. Allah is just and merciful and does not discriminate by citizenship. To honor Allah is to release these hikers. olivia greene Elaine Selsberg Anonymous Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell Mark S. Miller: Adding the fate of these students to the greater issues dividing the United States and the Government of Iran harms these young people while providing no benefit to their captors. People across the globe can see that while overly adventurous and perhaps even a little foolhardy, these students do NOT belong in prison. Free them now! Anonymous Karen Leigh Melodye Feldman: As a mother I ask that you free these 3 young people and allow them to return to their families who miss them. I do not know the hikers personally but as a mother I know the pain and fear that dwell in the hearts of their mothers and family members. Please allow them to return safely and quickly to their families. Nina Dillon Isabella Morton: This is horrible. Free these innocent people. Anonymous Natascia Boeri Kevin Slinker Paul Hargrave Anonymous: Please release Sarah, Shane, and Josh. The detaining of these innocent individuals without due process is inhumane. I hope the Iranian government will be able to open their hearts to their plight and do what is right and just. Larry DeMuth Heather Carreiro Anonymous Sarah Magaziner Sam Van Wetter Elizabeth Karsh Luis Cisneros Charlotte Daher Richard Szeluga Febrya Amanda Katie Dougherty Nani O. Aspinwall: If possible, I think as many people as possible should write, hand-written letters to the president of Iran, signing with our name, then, Americans United for Peace. We need to create, in our country, a group of Americans United for Peace, that crosses party lines and we need to be brave in doing this. If we flooded the Iranian government with letters they might realize we are united in our wishes for peace. Let me know if there is a place to write & let me know what more I can do to help. Thanks Michelle Salazar: There is no excuse for the neglect taking place here. I am saddened by the inaction of all who are directly involved in seeing that these three receive the treatment that they are entitled to as human beings. Kimberly Samuels D. Shifflett: I've been following this sad story since it happened. As a mother of 3 children, I feel for the families of the students and I can't imagine the fear and desperation the students must feel. Whatever infractions the Iranian government thinks were committed by these three have certainly been paid for with the time they've been detained. This political game by the government is unworthy to the wonderful and beautiful friends I've known from Iran - even as I am ashamed of our government at times, I know that Iranians with kind hearts must also be ashamed of this situation. Anonymous Ibby Caputo Jenna Reshea Parker: Praying for their release and safety! Leah Coiro: This is a chance for the Iranian government to show strength of character and good will, if they will release these innocent people. Steve Summers: The Iranian government should realize that this is an opportunity for them to show their fundamental goodwill. That will be more benefit to them than using these people as political pawns. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Fabein Gamez Anne McGrath: Read about your plight in OUTSIDE, stay strong, faith will see you home! Thomas Fruge\' Rebecca Matysiak Jana Thompson: Release them!!! May God bless and keep you on your safe return home... Grace Heimerle-Warthan Anonymous Sam Curtis Marnie Sadri: My name is Marnie Sadri and my education and experience is in Social Work. My husband is Iranian American, a university professor, and part of the Iranian reform movement. I am emeshed in this wonderful culture but deeply troubled by the Iranian government. Clearly, these three youth are only students - what political motive could they have? By retaining these young students, the Iranian government is further isolating their country from the rest of the world. We can begin to mend our differences when Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal are released from prison, with apologies from the Iranian government. Stacia Sebura Aubrey Olmscheid Laura MacDonald: Please understand that this is a misunderstanding. Your compassion is appreciated. Kelley Uthe: Releasing Sarah, Josh and Shane would be a merciful and compassionate gesture that their families and friends would appreciate. Joshua McClenahan Kasa Wahl: Our representatives need to take action. There is not enough being done!! Free these three kids and send them home! Amanda D. Anonymous: For the love of humanity, release these innocent individuals. Donald Moss Colleen Stewart: Praying for your health, spirit, safety and immediate release. xoxo Anonymous Lynne Dave Kasper Stephanie Goodner Tim Tesmer: Iran: please stop using these students as political pawns and release these hikers who made an innocent mistake IMMEDIATELY! Anonymous Anonymous: Let them go. I'm a father and I would be in anguish over this too! People make mistakes, get lost etc... Let them go! Jeffrey Leech: This is not about politics it is about Mothers wanting their children back Please release them!!!! Joyce Walker Maura Williott: Please return our friends. Anonymous Anita Drydale Kathy Walling: They did nothing wrong. Admit your mistake and release them. Elizabeth Mobley Beth Yoder-Balla Tracy Gogel Bonny Farr: Please free these young people, or at least, let them see their families. Angela Callier: I used to think there was no greater agony than to watch your child suffer. I was wrong. Knowing your child is suffering, but not being with your child to, at the very least, offer comforting words and actions, must be a terrible Hell. I would beseech the Iranian Government to end this agony, this suffering. President Ahmaninejad alone holds the power to end this now. He can show the world what a compassionate leader should do by releasing these young people immediately. The world is watching you, President Ahmadinejad. Show the world that Iran is not a country without hope. Show the world you have a heart. Amy Lovett Kristen Carpenter Daun Holdmeyer Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Barbara Gallagher: My thoughts and prayers go out to these three young people and to their families; especially to their mothers with Mother's day this weekend I can't even imagine the pain that they are feeling! Be strong and keep believing. Ken Patton: Once again the Iranian demonstrates that they lack the capacity to act as an enlightened, civilized entity. Their ignorance knows no bounds. As long as that regime remains in control of the country, Iran shall remain lost in the Dark Ages. julie Jason Attard: Mercy for the children of God. Julie Rosen: If Iran is truly the rational and civilized nation it claims to be, then do the rational and civilized thing and release these young, American citizens back to their families and their homeland immediately. Jamie Baron: You are all in my heart and prayers. God Bless~ Anonymous Marshall Trammell Anonymous: Dear Iran, the whole world is watching and will see what you do, choose wisely. Barbara Tanner: My heart goes out to you. Adrian Holman: Keep the pressure on Iran. They haven't won a war in 2,500 years. http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/5163710-three-american-hikers-detained-in-iran-for-over-six-months Carol Dial Anonymous Susan Betterly: Please free these young people whose only crime was wanting to see and learn about a country and culture different from their own. They have certainly been punished more than enough at this point. Mike Thomas Anonymous: Detaining innocent civilizations is never good foreign policy. Krystina Karcz: This is just a human's rights violation. Julie Cook: God Bless you all on Mother's Day. Robyn Helen Rooker: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh...they never meant to cross the border...prayers go out to these innocent people with much love... Genah Walton Alexis Hauswirth: As a parent, I can't imagine what their mother's are going through, please have some compassion and allow them to return home! September Dunst Diane Weckman: Listen to your heart - send Shane, Sarah and Josh home to their families! You have nothing to lose and much to gain by showing great compassion. Rachel Ross Anonymous Randy Fyock: Please let them go. Ashley Dobos Anonymous: Please be merciful and let these children go. Karen King: Please return them home safely to their families. Brandon LaVerne: “Turn yourself not away from three best things: Good Thought, Good Word, and Good Deed.” - Iranian prophet Nicole Fotheringham: Please show compassion. Michael Anderson Ryan Murray: Please FREE these people. swetha Polamreddy Anonymous McPeak family Anonymous Cheryl Ramsey Brooks: I am praying for their safe return. Anonymous: Praying ... Stacy Rumler Anonymous Max Sadeghi: What I don't understand is why you would allow your children to go hiking in a country which we are at war with, and on the boarder with another country that we have no diplomatic relations with? and have major problems with. My heart goes out to the mom's and families of these 3 youths. If I were you, I would make a photo album with every picture, diploma, and life history of these kids and send a copy to Iran to show officials who they really are. I pray for you all and I hope this resolved soon & they are released to come home to their families. I hope this is a lesson for all hikers and adventurous people, to not take unnecessary risks by hiking and exploring in dangerous parts of the world. What if they got hurt? there's no 911, there no hiking rescue agencies. People need to really think before taking this kinds of risky expeditions that really NOT worth it. I hope my comments don't rub anyone the wrong way. I've been following this story from the first day and it really bothers me and I can't do anything about it, I guess, except vent here :( Anonymous Anonymous Adele hipsky Dahlia Norry Anonymous Sharron Benson: I pray for the safe return of these wonderful young people. Finbar Casey Amanda Cazort Anonymous: Please let the hikers go home to their families. Micheal Seibel: This is not right and they know it. Let the innocent go. henry ciccarelli: GOD Bless these men & woman, hoping 4 a safe return 2 the U>S> mary huddson Dani Cohen charles skaggs: Please release them as a humanitarian gesture. They mean no harm nor ever intended to harm Iran. Anonymous James Newton: Iran, it's time to now step forward and show a little humanity. Let these kids go. They have done your republic no harm. Neil Tripp Ron and Marilyn Leonard: They need to free the hikers with our delay! If George W. Bush was in the White House or Sarah Palin they would already be FREE! Robert Jarrett Barbie Osborne: I do not know any of the hikers, but as a Mom, I respectfully request the Iranian government to release these 3 "children" into their parents care. If one of your children were being held in a foreign country, you would be doing everything possible to secure their release, please do the same for these people. Brad Leonard: I hope Shane, Sarah, and Josh are released and home to the U.S. soon. Sorry they are being used as political pawns on an issue that is far larger then three teens hiking in the middle east who got lost. I am sure the Iranians will realize that this is not going to give them leverage with regard to their nuclear ambitions. Danny Hopper: we are all gods children, no matter what race we are, no matter where we was born, he loves us all to free these brothers and sister to us all ( even all of you in Iran ) is godly act of kindness Todd Carr Anonymous: these young adults need to be returned to their mothers especially today Mother's DAY THESE MOTHERS NEED TO GET THEIR VISA TO GO SEE THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTER ESPECIALLY TODAY MOTHER'S DAY Jennifer Morton: I am a mother of 4. I can't even imagine losing my children to a foreign country. After all this time, I feel they are now Hostages. The U.S. needs to do more. I pray for their release and I pray for the mothers that God may give them strength through this very difficult time. Kyleigh Kuschel Anonymous: Please release these hikers, who innocently crossed your borders by mistake. It is inhumane to keep them in prison away from their families. Please show mercy on these young people as you would want someone to show your children mercy. Rosemary Rodriguez: I just saw on the news the mothers of the hikers, and my heart was broken. The Iranian government should take into consideration their stories, but then again they do not even have mercy for their own people. Good Luck to to hikers, hope they are reunited with their families soon! Val Batts: It is time to put the Politics aside and let these kids come home. The President of Iran has the authority to make this happen. He knows that we will not rest until Sarah, Shane and Josh are all home. Annette Carpenter: Praying for their release. Bonnie Linenweber Brian Naughton: Our President Obama needs to stop giving credence to illegal immigrants and do what is needed to free these 3 Americans. They are citizens of the United States and they deserve the attention to be freed from our president. These 3 Americans deserve daily attention from our liberal media instead of giving all their attention to lies and biased journalism. michael marlow: stop the hate that you seam to enjoy, it will backfire..[ direced to iran leaders ] Jennifer Cox Philip Duggan: Government of Iran: Please do the right thing, Free The Hikers. Joe: I ask the Iranian government to please release the hikers. They mean no harm to the anyone in your country. The release of Josh, Sarah Shane will show good faith to not only the good people of Iran, but the entire world. Please release them to their families. Anonymous Kristin Pelletti: My prayers go out to Shane, Sarah & Josh along with their families and friends. This is an unfortunate mistake that they are paying dearly for. As someone else commented....let this be a lesson to others. As beautiful as these countries are they are not safe - especially for Americans. Kristin Gentles: I respectfully hope the Islamic Republic of Iran will release these three young adults as soon as possible. Also I respectfully hope the Islamic Republic of Iran will allow at least one more phone call to their families. I will pray for these hikers to get the phone calls, be updated on their case, and be released as soon as possible. Anonymous: A United States service member and police officer asking for a humane release of Shane, Sarah and Josh. I understand that not all countries recognize the same legal system that we do in the US, but this has been too long and these innocent people need to be released to their families. I would not expect something like this out of Iran. Jo Jacobson: Why is this not a topic on a daily basis with our Government and what they are doing to remedy this? Anthony Hammond: You have three of America's children.... Not yours to keep. Send them home Lynda Haws: Shane,Josh and Sarah are American children......release them and send them home. Joan Finazzi: Please have compassion for these young adults. dee kaye morris: Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh. The world envisions peace, love and respect for all human beings, change your thinking Iranian government, and it will change for the good of ALL...including the world you live in everyday!! Peter Mack: Our administration needs to step up to the plate and get these people returned to the States. The sentence of Ten months for being stupid is quite enough! James Lee Nikol: I just learned that these wonderful three people are missing. I hope with all my heart that they come home soon. I respect the president of Iran but i would also like to know why you would think these three people entered Iran on purpose. Im very sure it was a mistake.Please bring these 3 people back to their homes. Dennis Finn: Mothers day 2010 what a great day to at least allow these kids communication with their families. I hope their release would follow and that the iranian people would also see the sense in doing that. Thank you. scott a. walker: I hope and pray that the young Americans will be released in the near future. Is there anything the U.S. Gov.can do to help them gain their freedom? Cheryl: Love One Another..Let Go Let God... in the end when its our time to go..We remember all the Love in our lives..Time is preceouses... Dont take one another for granted ..Just ...LOVE...Compassion is Key to All humanity..Please let them come Home Chuck Davis: I hope that the Iranian government will soon realize that these people/hikers made a simple mistake by getting lost and that they should be returned to their families as soon as possible. By releasing these people the world would see what great mercey and compassion that Iran possesses towards the human race. Sammy Dominguez: Please to the right thing and relese the hikers. Bryan Dufilie Tammy Dominguez Kathreen Lauper Larry Sisk: Iran is supposed to be on the UN Human Rights Council, yet they deny these kids any rights. What a shame for the people of Iran. FREE THE INNOCENT KIDS!! Penny Bowsher: Show some good will and do the right thing, these kids are no threat to you or your country, think if they were your kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cody Lamison Judy Slaugh: Please release the hikers. No harm was meant when they accidentally crossed over to Iran. Being a hiker myself, I understand how this could easily happen. Thank you for your consideration of this most important matter. Mother Theresia: Today is Mothers Day. President Obama should get involve and free these kids. What kind of Muslin President do we have? Emily Krecke Lisa Wright: Forceably praying for you... Iran will pay, one way or the other. Dianne DiBiasi: Please free our young American Hikers. Our thoughts and prayers are for them and thier famililes. It has been almost 10 mos. They were hiking and that is all. They need to be sent home where they belong. Catherine Keement: Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for a quick release. Anonymous Janet Hensley Anonymous Anonymous: FREE THE HIKERS! Jovita Rivera Anonymous Joshua Murphy Anonymous Anonymous: Please let these kids come home to thier family! Lynn Ryan: As a mother - please do not hold our children captive because of the governmental politics. These kids meant no harm - they just got lost. Please send them home to their families. AJ Caves Gail Bousum BJ Caves Anonymous Caroline Deonarine: He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His wings shalt thou trust. Psalm 91:4 Anonymous: Please free these young people now!! Joan Fennell Lauri Waldvogel: Please let the families reunite with their children as soon as possible. We beg of you to free them. I do not know them, but as a mother, I understand the pain that the families are going through without their children. They clearly meant no harm, I believe that has been established. Again, please release the to their families. Thank you, in advance, for your compassion. Craig W: Please release these children to their families. Marion L. Nguli Anonymous Patricia Roach Maddy Sulliman Randy W. Sandberg: From every perspective this looks like Shane, Sarah, and Josh were simply hiking around and meant no one any harm. Please see it in your hearts to understand this and send them home. Kris Wilson: Saw their story on CNN and will push this for the three Mothers on Mothers Day... Janis R. Hite Julie Powell: Please, Iran, make your people proud by doing the right thing: Release Josh, Sarah and Shane today. The world is watching. Anonymous: Something must be done and done now. This has gone on for too long. If it were President Obama's children, would the situation be the same? Someone in a position of power has dropped the ball and needs to man up and take care of this! Wendy Milton Kimberly Churchill Rick Cord: Please release Sarah,Shane and Josh. In advance, I thank you for this compassion. Robin Skaskiw Harry R Petersen: I am ready to take this action to the world courts. I had thought the president of Iran would have stepped in and released the kids by now. Lauren Drew: It's not about politics, it's about three human lives. Kathy Moll: they are young and made a stupid but innocent mistake. please don't penalize them any longer, let them come home to their families with the promise they will never travel in that part of the world again. Jessica Mallar Faith Lopez Veronica: Please do the right thing, Iran. These 3 innocents are someone's beloved family members and friends. Never forget that we are all One family. Send them home soon. Lynn pidgeon Danielle Higgins Nicholas Davenport Susan Moray Barbara Kalbli Amanda McCall Nilima Abrams Julie Frost: You must understand this was an honest mistake. Please do the right thing and let them go. Lynda L. Brown: Please, we beg you to release these children of God. They truly did not mean any harm to any person, place or thing. Please show the US the compassion, love and mercy that I know you have in your heart. The parents of these children are suffering. Please end this and send our children home. Sincerely, Lynda Rocky Ellis: I JUST saw this on FOX news this morning. It is Mother's Day so I was so very touched and emotional for you all. I will continue to pray and do what I can as one man to help in any way. We need them home. Peace and Love be with all of you. Jessica Harris D. Thompson: You are in my prayers. I am so sorry you had to go through this terrible ordeal. Hope to see you home soon. Steve T: Free Shane, Sarah and Josh! KELLY BAROLI: GOD BLESS Libby Grantham Mark T: There should be no asking the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release these people. They did nothing wrong. Hey there Mr. Iranian President, grow a set and let these people come home. Yep, you got noticed with your your nuke bull###t and holding these people, now, let them come home. Absolutely, No Respect for you........ Mr.T Jessica Pullins ken senf Katelyn Kerker nina mincy Heather Payne: Please show compassion to these kids and their families. John Gardner: Do the right thing. Do what is right in God's eyes and free these people. Mary Kosta Kay Ellen Moncrief ROGER HURDING: I hope the Iranian government will soon released Shane, Sarah and Josh to that they can return to their friends and families. Anonymous Doug Smiley Sheryll Roznik Robert Reed: As an Immigrant to the Great Country, known as the U.S.A., in 1965, I feel great sadness in the Knowledge that Young Innocents could be used Wickedly as "Pawns" in a climate of distrust between Sovereign nations. The Nation of Persia/Iran, has a great and wondrous history,In it's History, it has often recognised Injustice, and acted to prevent such------the present Government of Iran, by perpetuating Injustice, is doing a dis-service to it's History, and it's name. Idreaner Causby: Please show your compassion and free the Hikers. Anonymous: For Christ sake send these kids home, will Ya... So far no one has ask the Pope or Farrakan to get involve with the release and leave politics out. Erin Adair Johnson Kara Sjoblom-Bay Paul Lenart: Holding these people for a navigational error only feeds the war-frenzy of reaction. Eric Noya Tim Betz Sarah Jackson: Please release these innocent civilians. Carson Wilcox: Ⓐ Anonymous Eleanor Arnold Jennifer Macaluso Alan Paradis Tristan Husby Mandii Miller: Please let them FREE! There is no need to have them there! Let them come home safely and be with there families and friends who miss them so much!! Marcella S. Sullivan: Please show some mercy for what was an honest mistake when these three accidentally crossed into your country. What would you expect us to do if the roles were reversed? Mr.Mike Keen: Mr.Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: I appeal to the humanity that you must still have within you,these young people are not any type of threat to your country. It could have been you and i, say thirty or so years ago being held in some country for something we didnt do,Please release and personally insure their safe return to a nearby border country that is "friendly". He who shows mercy shall obtain mercy. Roisin O\'Mara Pam Yap Anonymous: Please free the Hikers, Sarah, Shane, and, Josh. Yana S: Free the innocent hikers! Anonymous Crystal Cutting Anonymous: Please allow these innocent children to return home to their mothers. Leigh Luster: My thoughts and prayers are with the families and the hikers in hopes they are let go very very soon un harmed !! Alice Wang Anonymous Justin Wadlington: This is unacceptable. The Obama administration needs to get off their "high horse" of failing poll numbers, and do something in the name of America. We don't let our citizens be held hostages my foreign terrorists. Anonymous Jean Pennie Bob Heraldo: pray Debbie Aaron Craig Hughes Julienne DeMarsh: While the hikers are in detention provide them with immediate medical attention, to include that of medical experts of their own choosing. Provide them with attorneys of their own choice and immediate contact with their families. Charge them with an internationally recognizable offense and provide them with attorneys of their own choice. Release the hikers immediately. Anonymous: Please let them free. These people were not involved in Iran politics. Show compassion. Anonymous Rich Boone Bobbi Schellenberg Matt M Anonymous Valari Beach Frank E. Lane, M.D.: The detention and imprisonment of these innocent tourists by Iranian government officials is an affront to civilized & educated people around the world. It only strengthens the impression of Iran as a "rogue state"; A lawless, theocracy with criminal leaders hiding behind religion and officious blather. Free these innocent young people—allow them & their families to get on with their lives in peace. Rebecca riquie cosby Breyanna Ames: How can the Iranian government sleep at night knowing that these young people are sitting in prison and have not been charged with any crimes. I hope the Iranian government finds mercy quickly and releases these young people! It is the right thing to do! Marc Voynet: Iran, please free the hikers soon. Friends and family are missing them. Bruce Turner Marjune Iooss: We pray for their release. Annette: Good luck!!!! Praying for them!!! TORI YATES Anonymous Anonymous Gina Lee: Praying that Iran shows compassion to these kids and their families kareyanne: please free these 3 hikers!!!! sign this people !!! Chelsea Spilman: May The Lord Almighty touch the hearts of Shane, Sarah and Josh, as well as the hearts of the Iranian government, to do God's will, and be moved to release them. Leslie Briley STACY: WISHING THE WORLD COULD BE MORE PEACEFUL AND WORRY ABOUT THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE. Leslie Heltzen: Iran, please show compassion on Shane, Sara and Josh. They meant no harm to your country. Thank you. Nancy Parr Sylvia: Please return these children to their loved one. Rob Brannigan Steve Bendixen: The government needs to go in and get these people! They have suffered long enough! Joe Nichol Carolyne Key Robert J. Pelican: I am asking as one child of God to another child of God. Charles Lines, Jr.: This is such a terrible thing that has happenned to the three of you. I know that many of us here in the United States of America are praying for your release!! Caitlin O\'Neill: Let these courageous 3 come home to their country & families who have abide your laws with the utmost respect. 10 months is long enough. Michael Jon Baptiste: May the peace of Christ be with them! RICKY GRAY: THESE PEOPLE ARE GOOD AMERICAN,THEY SHOULD GIVE THEM RESPECT AND LET THEM FREE,IRAN IS BULLIES. Phil Suhadolnik Larry Velasco: Please be cordial about this obvious situation of these people not knowing exactly where they were. They have or had no intent of breaking any of your laws. Thank you. Joan Skog Jean Stef: Hoping the Iranian government will free these three hikers who unknowingly crossed the unmarked border with Iran. Sarah, Shane, Josh, your in our prayers for your parents to be able to vist and bring back home very soon. Anonymous: These young travelers do not deserve to be held and should be released asap. Anonymous: It is long past time to free these young people, especially since they have not been charged with anything! Yvette Bowen: I pray Iran will do the right thing and send our young innocent people home. Have Faith in God. Judy & Frank Grochowski Alex Fobes Anonymous Tony Aitken: Please free these these three young adveturers - surely they have suffered enough! Claudette Talbot: I am praying for them to come home with their families safely. Wade Williams: Iran does not have the best reputation with the rest of the World. They have an opportunity to show us that they do have such human qualities as compassion and grace by letting these young people return home with their mothers. If this situation was reversed, their young people would have been sent home well before now. Do the right thing Iran! Let them go home! Wade Williams: Iran does not have the best reputation with the rest of the World. They have an opportunity to do the right thing and show that they do have compassion and grace by letting these young people return home with their mothers. If this situation was reversed, the United States of America would have sent their young people home months ago. Do the right thing and let them go! Laura Pace: I am praying for their safe and quick return! BRANDON STANDRIDGE Sarah Livesay Anonymous: Glad to know that you are issuing Visa to the mothers. Do the right thing--let the kids go home with their mothers! Darryl Mitteldorf Cristina Keane Rick Mitchell: EVERYONE is only Young Once! Please STOP the the Destruction, of the Youth, of these 3 Young People NOW! Obama: Leave them there, what a bunch of dumb asses, going to one of the most dangerous areas of the world, what were they thinking, The parents have failed these dummies. Jerome Martinez Kathy Lyn Marcia Bradley Holly Osness Danielle Ciccone Craig Alsup: Please free these poor people. Christopher Kane Darius K. Tullis Kristen Magers Warren Plummer: Free these INNOCENT hikers! Robert W. Brewer: This is truly an American tragedy.It is beyond comprehension why they are being treated so harshly. John Gunlogson Yvette M. Falzarine: One of the most ridiculous, outrageous, deplorable situations I've ever heard. Thoughts and prayers to Shane, Sara, Josh and their families. michael r wiesner jr.: The government needs to get these people out or start locking up people from that country for no reason and see how they like it!! Korea started this shit and we americans need to finish it once and for all!! NOW!! Megan Brady Stacey Ferreira Anonymous: I had a job in 1989 that was trying to separate me from my 5 year old son. I had a year's notice. I had anxiety attacks and I ended up with being diagnosed with bipolar and severe because of the stress that I may be separated from my son. We now have separation anxiety which he was treated for when we returned from the assignment. Please do not keep the families separated. It is a terrible feeling. It effects everyone long after the crisis is over. Carolyn Johna Taormina: To the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran: May compassion generate an uplifting within your heart. To Shane, Sarah and Josh: May you soon feel the sun once again dance upon your feet. jerry: Father God in the name of Jesus I pray for the immediate release of Josh, Sarah, and Shane from the Iranian government. I give you all the prasie,glory and power Amen Jeffrey Fried: Please stop using these innocent people as political pawns. You are losing, rather than gaining the respect, of the nations around you. Susie B. Joshua Knepper: Our government needs to step up and bring them home now. Cindy Ellis: Please do the right and humane thing and let these young people out of jail. They made a mistake and did nothing wrong. Katie Webb Christine Crary: I too will keep a pryer vigil daily... Dustin Ussery Dannie Parrish: Mercy Susan Moses Denise Caze Deke Parrott Jesse T. Capps Gary Ingram Lola Walker: This has gone on long enough! Where is their "speedy" right to a trial....where is justice? Why is our government not intervening on their behalf? Anonymous Dan Tener Doug Clifton: Three lost souls for a world of good will. Seems like a good trade to me. Nora Nell Hamburge Tom McQueen: Iran...do the right thing and free Josh, Sarah, & Shane and return them to their families. Jimmy Steuck Erik Hetzner KAREN FISCHBACHER: Please release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, Josh Fattal ~ these U.S. citizens pose no threat to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ryan Salay Anonymous: Set them free, these people aren't danger to you. They are not spies. Thanks for you listening ear Bobby Intharaksa: An innocent mistake should not cost these young people 9 months of their lives. Please allow them to come home and be reunited with their families. Chris Burke PHILIP PLUMBO scott brooks Anonymous Isa Abdul Lateef: follow the exmale of Iman Ali and his house hold and free these people Anonymous: Shane, Sarah and Josh...my thoughts are with you. As a mother and a grandmother of my own young people I feel for you and your families. And I make a sincere appeal to those in Iran who can help you in your plight. With sincere love and hope. Yours Blanche Fowler Kendra Webb Christa Fuerst: I hope that the Iranian government will have compassion on these people and release them soon. David Collins: DID YOU FIND WEAPONS, OR SPY GEAR? THEN LET THEM GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeff Knight: praying for a safe return.. Anonymous Mariann Sweden Cheri Bridget Llanes Elyse Bekins Ana Peña Hadassah Zohara Zaina Karen: Many, many prayers for Sarah, Shane, Josh, and for their families. Please let them come home to their families. Wayde Lawler Carol Brown Anonymous Amy Mercer: Please release these three young people who are just innocent kids trying to make their way in the world. Nikki Mohaupt Anonymous charlie mayer Jim & Vickie McMilin Anonymous Siobhan King: Please consider the request and be aware that the public image of the Islamic Republic of Iran throughout the world is affected by the ongoing incarceration of these young people. As a gesture of international goodwill, permit their immediate release. Caitlin Kaiser: Please let them go. God Bless! These 3 individuals need to be freed, and our country isnt doing anything about it. Their parents are doing more than our government, sad? No? Anonymous Anonymous Judy Bear Jane Koskinen Anonymous Eric Richardson Kathy Porter Juliet Camp: PLEASE FREE THEM. Thomas Rieck Monte Hetland Anonymous Helen McGuinness Eric Schow Bernadette Shadia nicole hermanson Diane Pontius: They have served enough time in prison whether justified or not. D. E. Morison V. Tamoush Mohammed AlQuraishi Rachel Nafziger Hartzler Bryanna Grogan Roy Donovan M.D.: these people need medical care. Pat Carmeli: The "hikers" and the signers are not your enemies. We seek a more just and peaceful world. Please allow these three people to go free. They meant you no harm. Amnah Hillou Sally Johnson: Your adventurous hearts will stay strong and get you through this. Iran however, continues to show their weakness, by detaining these innocent kids. Barbara West England Sonya Berg: These fine young people should not be political pawns. Michael Bass: Do not use these fine young people as pawns in your political game. Show compassion and release them now. Sarah Wiseman Karrie Lickliter Jo Sippie-Gora Mia Moisio Serenity Johnson Sarah Orr Jonas Caballero Gayle Hoepner Pat DeLay Anonymous Cathy Gunstone cindy ross Susan Schuurman: This could just as easily been me. I went to Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan in 2007, to present at the Genocide in Kurdistan conference. My biological father, an Iranian Kurd born in Sanandaj, Iran, now living in the U.S., urged me to cross the Iraq/Iran border and visit my grandmother and other relatives, since it was only a few dozen kilometers away. My hosts in the Kurdish Regional Government urged me not to take such a risk. So I did not. And now my grandmother passed away before I had a chance to ever meet her. All because of political borders that separate people, families, friends, cultures. With technology making the planet smaller and national borders more and more meaningless, I especially urge the Iranian authorities to take the moral high road, show compassion to these hikers' mothers, and free them immediately. Failure to do so only makes Iran's leaders look paranoid. bonnie weisel Zac Sidawi: Please free the three hikers. They are innocent. Ed and Margaret Tegenfeldt: We very much oppose any country (whether the USA or Iran) using ordinary citizens as pawns in a political confrontation. Keeping such individuals in prison and in solitary confinement is unjust and a violation of human rights. Please release these three individuals who at most may be guilty of crossing an international border without permission. Anonymous: this is too great a punishment for trespassing. Mark Turner: Release these good people now. Anonymous Anonymous: Please free them for Allah's sake... Laetitia Tso Jessicah Ford Marya Bangee katrien de clercq valerie harris John E. Coleman EMRE ÇETİN Patrice GARNIER: S'il vous plait Wesley Seavey/Grateful Child: Obviously these young people are not connected to any government or any ill conceived threat to Iran. In fact the opposite, they are your best allies against any aggression toward Iran. Please open your hearts to those who those who know only Love as an end to all violence in the middle east, and in the world. Nancy Field ed kinane: i experienced remarkable hospitality while visiting iran a couple years ago. i'd like to think iran was above detaining even inadvertent visitors without due process. Bruce Taub, Esq.: peace. mercy. justice. Josh Carney Lou Maloof Sara Driscoll Mrs. Jennifer Humiston: These three young Americans do not represent the government of the United States but, in contrast, embody the highest ideals of ordinary citizens. They are citizens of the world with only peaceful motives who seek justice for everyone. They should receive the medical attention required and to be reunited with their families immediately. Shirley Reynolds pam manilla: People have a right to go hiking.The areas sometimes look alike it is very possible to lose your way.Please send the kids home to there parents..Thank you--PEACE & PRAYERS.. Kiva Nice-Webb: Peaceful activists are of no threat to anyone but systems of injustice, please do not equate activism with espionage or intentional disrespect for Iran's border laws! JESSIE: I THINK THE US SHOULD FIND A WAY TO GET THEM HOME AND ITS CRAZY THAT THEY ARE DETAINED FOR THIS LONG. THE LADY IN HAITI IS LOOKING AT 6 MONTHS FOR KIDNAPPING AND THESE GUYS WERE JUST AT THE WRONG PLACE AND NOTHING ELSE. Janice Bradley: Please free the three hikers presently imprisoned for illegal border entry. I believe they entered Iran only accidentally and ask that they be released to their families. Joy Larson Steve Tamari Helen Rivas: Let's not make individuals bear the burden of policies of government. judith schilling: Please free these 3 young people, who are working for peace, and are not political! Matt Kaufmann Sheila Rosenthal Mary Bruce Serene Anjum Hassan: “Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor, for God can best protect both. Follow not the cravings of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with all that you do.” Qur’an 4:135. “If anyone slays a person - unless it be (recompense)for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew all people. And if anyone saves a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all people.” Qur’an 5:32. “Believers, never let the hatred of a people toward you move you to commit injustice” Qur’an 5:8 Where is this Quran in our actions? Let us please live the religion as decreed by God, pure and beautiful without prejudice of power and control. I pray that both Iranian and US governments come to a peaceful agreement. May God help Josh, Sarah and Shane and their families in this difficult time. Dee Anna Matthew Hyde Vanessa Lawrow Mandy Kain David R. Mauritson Mary Frei Marguerite Swope Amir Manzour: Americans and Iranians are like brothers and sisters Anonymous Anonymous: These individuals should be respected by fellow muslims for their hard work towards Palestine and towards the Muslims themselves. This respect is being given to them by being detained? Surely you cannot call your country an Islamic republic with these actions. They are nothing but innocent. May Allah forgive you, and Peace be upon the earth. Kenneth Robinson: In all fairness, I would hope and that the Iranian government would find it in their hearts to release these young people and allow them to return to their families. I appeal to the compassionate nature of the Iranian government to realize that by releasing these young souls that this could create another opportunity to have a dialog with America. A goodwill gesture by the Iranian government of releasing Sarah, Shane, and Josh, would also eliminate another myth(s) about Iran. Please find it in your hearts to release Sarah, Shane, and Josh. Lisa Wooldridge: Getting lost, happens to all of us sometimes... Getting lost is not a crime. A border that is unmarked...Isn't really a border at all. Human beings must help the lost to find their way home. Iran, Please let the children go home. Susan Myers Lauren Martinez: To the Republic Of Iran: We're sorry that our friends have crossed over a boarder into the respectful Republic Of Iran. Our friends mean you no harm as we're sure you're aware. Please know that our friends are people of peace and not of politics. Please sit with our friends and you'll see that they'll become a friend of yours too. We respectfully thank you Iran for the good care of our friends and thank you for the Swiss visit. This however has been really hard on our friends families and we ask for their safe return home as soon as possible. Thank You. Anonymous shelly ladd Patti Rosenberg Denise Trischetta: It's time to send these kids home! Mary Gallant georgeanna layton burt mckenzie: The three young hikers should not be punished for past mistakes made by american assholes! carol Urquhart Valerie Manning: Please allow these young adults to come home. Carol Trapnell Anonymous Ann Tiffany: Do unto others... Donna Smits: Have human compassion. They clearly made a mistake as to their location. They should be released asap. Joan Mortenson Margherita Andreotti pamela tomer uraib aboudi Andrea Miotto Anonymous Mary AlKhaja carolanne wagman Patti Kebsch: Wish I could do more but this is a start! Sena Ellen Sexton Sally Parker: This is ridiculous. Free these innocent people! Barbara Carrera Gia Mora Pam Herston Pam Neumann Lisa Shearer Cooper Miron Lovric: Let us free the innocent hikers from the clutches of AHMADINEJAD. Michele Stella Yael Krinsky Cindy Bowen Anonymous Reverend John W. McManus: I pray the Leaders of The Islamic Republic see the truth and grant these youngsters immediate release and pardon for their crossing of an unmarked and ill-defined border. Anonymous: from Germany: please stop all the nonsense about keeping innocent people in prison! I still cannot understand why the world has not yet seen that dialogue and communication are better than any violence and rage! please help to make this world a better place and let justice be!!! daniel grunberg Anonymous: I pray that Iran will show compassion and let Shane, Sarah, and Josh come home. Melinda Thompson: Please release these young people to rejoin their families and get on with their lives. It is unfair and immoral to use them as political pawns between nations. Donna Barten Anonymous maryse vrambout Isis Smith Anonymous Maggie Salvato Julie V Karen LaPrairie Lani Jerman Pamela Henderson Anonymous Lisa Tye Anonymous: Peace all around the world Lindsey Cooper Anonymous Ayden Bremner: They have served their time, and it is now time for release from prison. They meant no harm. Thank you * Anonymous Gordon Clint Anonymous Anonymous Gilbert Anonymous Bob Williams Ruth Elkin Caitlin Pomeroy Michele J. Bernal Michael Abraham JoAnne VanDatta: Iran could demonstrate its ethical integrity by suspending an understandable paranoia and having substantive discussions with these conscientious people and treating them compassionately. Jessica Ferne Anonymous: Please have mercy on the mothers of these hikers. Katy Carl: I can't believe this has gone on for so long, simply because they do not have the connections others in their position have had. Disgraceful! Gail Casale: Please do the right and just thing and send these people home now. MacKenzie Quarton: All the peace, love, and strength in the world to Shane, Sarah, Josh, and all family and friends. Allison Goodman Amber: I hope the Iranian's release them!! Accidents happen. When other citizens cross into North America, we don't treat them like that!! It's pretty sickening. I hope for a safe return. You all are in our prayers. Shirin susan oshie Julie John: We get the point, lets these kids go. Elizabeth Ardalan Ashkan: Life is hard enough without making it more difficult for each other. God bless! Kurt Wahlgren Jup Bhasin Andrew Hallam: I hope you guys make it out of that hell-hole. Anonymous Judy Beglaubter Cristen Hodgers: Please release Shane, Sarah and Josh. They are three young people who have contributed so much the world. They meant no harm to your government. Beckee Handrich: The Iranian government obviously has no proof that these hikers were spying, otherwise why the lenghty detainment. They haven't been tried because the government lacks the proof of any wrongdoing. They need to be released on humanitarian grounds and not be persecuted any longer just because they're Americans. Marcela norma fox: leave it in gods hands and you will be o.k. Debbie Ashley Graham Mouse: Bring them home safely, as they did nothing wrong. What happened was innocent. Mark Holland Daniel Parker mattie herron: please release these people. I am a Mother myself and could not imagine my kids being held. Please let them come home to their familys. Anonymous DANIEL ADAIR: Please release these innocent hikers who got lost, they're no threat to Iran's National Security. Please return them to their families. dawn goerner Susan Harris: May the spirit of compassion and mercy be with all involved in this unjust situation! Jim Bradford Elliott Buckman Marianna Heckendorn: Praying for you. Jane J. Seymour Kate Reed Anonymous JUAN CASTRO: I WILL PRAY FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL THREE HIKERS EVERY NIGHT. Jay Strong Nancy Hitzig: My thoughts and prayers will be with Sarah, Shane and Josh's Mothers as they travel to Iran. All of our children should be safe & free! Ingrid Evjen-Elias: I worked with Shane in college and know him to be gentle, kind and extraordinarily committed to a world in which cultures can coexist peacefully. I know for a fact that these three amazing human beings bear only goodwill toward the Iranian people, and hiked into Iran purely by accident. Daniel Mackin sandy gabauer David Schreiner: Bset to you all and we are all hoping your return, safe and sound, very soon. Deniese Hanson Cyrus Koch Anonymous Britni Johnson Anonymous Richard Shaffer: I'am a single parent and know what it's like to be away from home and son. No parent or child, regardless of age should be separated in this manner, these young people although I'm sure well educated, do not fit the profile of "spy" or any other ill meaning people. Anna Reed Margaret M. deMarteleire: I had lunch with my son Alex today. He was in Josh's graduating class at Cheltenham HS. I am so lucky to have him nearby, and I cannot imagine the pain Josh's mother and the mothers of the other two captives are experiencing. Send them home soon! Jason ROSS Holly Snyder Margaret Zanger: I have spent a lot of time in Iraqi Kurdistan and have been in the Ahmed Awa area many times (it is beautiful). It IS very near the Iranian border and aside from local Kurds, no one would know where that border actually is. This is political for the Iranians but I hope the humanitarian trumps. Kohl Chrislock: I am a 16 year old boy,I live in Fallon Nevada,and even i know that it is not right to hold innocent people capyive for something you cannot prove, show kindness in this cruel world and release them back to their freinds and family! marlene whittingham Claudia: I feel very angry about this so it is best for me to only wish those kids to be home and to pray for them and their families. Jay Harwood: Thank you for your compassion as you release these people Anonymous Lorin Zackular Shawn Moksvold Breanna Carzoo: Best wishes for a safe and immediate homecoming! Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Show Compassion. Doina Dima Anonymous Sara Brooks: They are entitled to due process. Brenda Birchler Anonymous: With tender hope that the hikers will be released soon. Joseph Mackie: I hope and pray for their immediate release. My heart goes out to them and their families. Hopefully a lesson was learned by all. Michael Reynolds: An honest mistake, please let them go. Anonymous Rachel: Have hope and be strong! Scott Goodson: Hoping the 3 of you find yourselves soon in the familiar comfort of family and friends Christine Simmons: Your kindness and mercy is what we wish for. These young people only wished to discover the beauty of the region. Tyrone Canion Talbot Fisher Curt Herman Nathaniel Sims Blake S: 1. Why is the U.S not putting their foot down and taking them back. 2. Since when is it a good idea to go hiking on the Iranian border? 3. Islamic republic and compassion are antonyms. Anonymous Lakamm Lamb: These people are obviously not spies. I pray for their quick and unconditional release! Staff Sergeant: Bring'em home safely! I'm sure you'll be fine Anonymous Dan MacNeil Anonymous krystal dunham: Please do what is right. Eileen Vara Anonymous Phyllis Slevin: I ask that the government of Iran show compassion on this unfortunate error and release these individuals immediately. Kim Spencer: Please bring these innocent tourists home! Nathanial Schafer Dane Beasley Brandi Barton: One world, one people. One race, human race. Elizabeth Rosenthal Liz Pfau Elizabeth DeWolfe, Ed.D.: Please free the hikers - Shane, Sarah and Josh. They just wanted to see the beautiful waterfall. They are nothing more than adventurous kids who ended up in the wrong country by accident. Shannon Vo: Please free these young people and let them return to their families. Thank you. tiffani troyer Amanda A.: Freeing these kids will go a long way in fostering good will toward Iran from the rest of the world. Aimee Darcie: These individuals should be released. This is were the U.S. should not give in, and fight for them. Brian l Kilgore: PLEASE LET THESE PEOPLE GO FOR THEY DID NOT MEAN ANY HARM. Paul Bartell: Release the hikers Cheryl Borton: Note to the Judicial branch of the Government of Iran: These hikers are young persons, students of a Univeristy, and have been raised in an environment in the West where paying attention to critical national security concerns have not been in their overall experience or education. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, however I am confidant the legal branch in Iran can reach this same consensus and grant mercy for the error of inexperienced youth. It would be different if it were myself in this same position as at age 18 I was already enlisted as a US Navy servicemeber and had been instructed and trained on such matters. I respectfully request that the legal system in Iran take into account these hiker's unfortunate mistake and ignornance on paying attention to their locale, and the unintended serious breach of Iran's national border integrity, and grant their release as these young students have now appropriately learned from their mistake, and the folly of youth from a year of being detained in Iran. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Borton, MS, AC1 USN (Ret) Suzanne Elise Stewart: Sending love and light!!!! You'll be home soon. Diane T.: My thoughts are with the famileies. This could happen to ANY of us while traveling. ummmm BILL CLINTON, WHERE ARE YOU? Didn't you help Lisa & Laura Ling out of a mess like this? These 3 hikers are ALSO our responsibility to protect and get them home immediately. I am embarrassed as to how long this is taking. There should be consequences for stunts like this being done to American travelers. Enough is Enough!! We need to step it up in situations like this. These power trips on our citizens is getting old, and should never be tolerated. Come on U.S.A. Officials, lets make this happen, TODAY! Sherry Jackson: God please watch over Shane, Sarah, Josh & thier loved ones.. Keep them in your hands & guide the hearts & minds of the decission makers in Iran to do the right thing & let these kids come home.. In Jesus name AMEN!.. GOD BLESS Krisda Pakabunto Jennifer Vilaboy: Al Gore and Bill Clinton can get their reporter out of North Korea. Can they get these hiker's freed? It seems our government could be doing more. Ryan Huffstetler: May your mothers coming over there give you temporary comfort and endless hope that you will be coming home. Suzanne O\'Leary Anonymous Anonymous Michelle Steinberg Arthur E. Stautler: Getting lost at an unmarked border is no sin. It can happen to anyone! Darrolyn st hilaire Sarah Marie James: Please send these hikers home, especially Sarah, let her go home a receive treatment for her gynecological condition before it's too late. Please, in the name of humanity and womens' health. Anonymous: Enough! Mort Feldbaum: Stupid Berkeley hippies. "They were in a peaceful region of Iraq that is increasingly popular with Western tourists." Really? Nobody in their right mind would go hiking in a war zone. They're getting their just rewards for their stupidity and hubris, and we don't want them back. Tracy Miranda Peterson Anonymous: Please release them to enjoy the rest of the world.... ravi Joyce James: Please provide a defined process for these hikers to be freed - Long term incarceration without a trial to prove the charges is inhumane! Anonymous: These are innocent people who have nothing to do with the relations between the U.S. and Iran. A person's life is worth more than proving a point. Terror is not the way to resolve conflict between two countries. This only hurts the image of a country that is full of beautiful people governed by ruthlessness and terror. Michelle Minkin ruth mcdonald Anonymous Anonymous Shazia Abji Jonathan Ross Marasih barnes: God bless and good luck Alexa Previti Jennifer Douglas Ada Simms: Praying for their safe return Anonymous: The Pacific Coast awaits their safe return. Madeline Sullivan: God Bless Josh,Sarah, and Shane, and all of their families and friends. I pray that the Iranian sees reason, and compassion floods his heart, so the kids can finally go home! Catherine Spofford stephanie Linda Zwanetsky Kirsten Vanderspek: Please release my fellow Bears. Kyle Weberg Anonymous: We pray for their safe return. Anonymous Nicolas Tollet Anne Hughes Anonymous Jamie Hill Anonymous Amy Coffman Anonymous Alison Kendall: Please let these three hikers return home to their families. Anonymous Corrine Glesne Danile Malkin: Innocent students should not be taken as hostages unless proven guilty in an open and fair trial. Cynthia Baxter Jada Wilner misty white: I believe it was sincerly a mistake and Im praying for their release! God Bless the hikers & their families. Carole Costello Colin Compton Kim Guerriero: Keep the faith Sharon M. Anderson: Please consider that this was truly an accident. Let these people go home, preferably within the week, with their visiting mothers. Anonymous Amanda Salazar: Please bring these 3 home safe and sound to their families. They are in all our thoughts and prayers. Anonymous: The Iranian government has an opportunity to impress the rest of the world with its mercy, compassion and fairness by releasing the imprisoned hikers. We would all be eternally grateful to you for your kindness. Alisha Woo Esteban Mc Furnace: have they commited a crime ? no. They must be free Teresa Yarbrough Katrin Baker Hector Cebreros Carol Morrison Anonymous charlene garner: I recall hearing this story and happened upon this sight when looking at details of a concert. My hope and prayer is for these three young people and the effort of their families will prove to be positive. Brenna Cussen Samantha Ervin Shannon Griffin Carl Boettiger Carolyn G.: Peace be with you and your families. Michelle Moncayo Anonymous Julie Hachey: Please send them home. I send them strength and courage. Hannah V. Hastings Marly Schloss Colin Greenslade: por favor, liberen a estos niños Pascale Miller Anonymous Anonymous: Thank you for allowing the hikers' mothers to visit. Please do not make the innocent young people pawns of international problems, but let their mother bring the hikers home. Rosemary Smith cheryl coombes Henry Slennett: I respectfully ask the Iranian Government to release the three hikers and enable them to return home as soon as possible. Amanda Villafuerte: The hikers should be freed! They deserve to come home! Jenn Charvat Anonymous Chase Fuller: stay strong Paul Wellcoat Claire Lloyd: Please free these 3 young people and send them home to their families soon. John Salomon: Go Bears. Jackie Bernu Adil Tahi: Iran, please let them go. There is no way they were spies. Com'on Iran. American spies would not deliver themselves that easy. It was a stupid mistake from young curious people. Lillian Bloom: May the Islamic Republic of Iran swiftly and compassionately release the three detainees. We hold you in our hearts. Anonymous Getie Yilma: Freedom is the oxygen of the soul. ~Moshe Dayan . Free the Hikers! and let their soul thrive once gain! C.M. Babb: We know the government of Iran will do the right thing and return them as soon as possible. Crystal Heim: Praying for the release of Sarah, Shane and Josh! Mark Duran: I have been watching this for what seems like forever. I can only imagine what these kids, and thier mothers must be experiencing. I got to see the mom's love thier children. I know thier grown, but they are the kids to these extrordinary women, and I saw the joy, love, compassion that these mothers showered on these kids. Sarah, Shane, and Josh. Yours is an extrodinary story. I just hope the media doesn't make a circus out of this. These 3 have been through enough. I don't think it should be sensationalized through television, usless that's what they want. By what I've learned and of these 3 they don't seem to be the type of people that would allow that. I send my love and admiration to these families for being so strong, and vigilant. Of course! They are mothers. Mothers are wonderful people. This visit most likely saved these chicldren from so much mental anguish with thier visit. LET SARA, JOSH AND SHANE GO HOME WITH THIER MOTHERS! Anonymous Dr. K.A. Weinman: The government of Iran are behaving like thugs - this is no surprise - and I sincerely hope that the people in the Iranian government are sufficiently mature to acknowledge that they have done wrong and send these three innocent people back to their families. Kathy: I am pleased and grateful that you have allowed these young people to see their mothers. As a mother myself I implore you to please release them to go back home with them. Thank you. Keith Heinerichs Michele Collins Melissa Anonymous dave jackel: I want these hikers freed so that they can enjoy their personal freedoms and to walk and hike the trails of the world. Lisa Bailey: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones! May they come home soon!! Jake Bratwurst: please free little Shane, Sarah and Josh KARIN DRYER Bonnie Bowman Serenity Morris Polina Stolyar: Hoping Iran comes to it's senses. Karen Volas Susan McCormack: Respectfully requesting that the governmment of Iran hear our pleas to free these innocent people. Mark Golding Anonymous Charlotte Trolinger Anonymous blake ellington larson Ron Peasha Nancy Sachsel: Bisma Allah-It will take courage to admit that these young people are innocent of anything but accidentally crossing your border. It would be cowardly to persist in detaining them as a political gesture. Allah calls upon us to be just, not petty. Send them home. Jessica McDaniel: I pray to God every night that the Iranian Govt. will have some shred of humanity and let these inncocent people go. I am so sorry for their families and wish them all the best of luck and hope that they are soon reunited. God Bless. Morgan Shoaff Anonymous: To all who visit here -- Prayer is powerful, don't despair and don't stop praying, they will be freed if we keep praying for them. Andrew White Tramieshia Ligon: May Gog continue to watch over all of you during this trying time. I pray that God will give you and your families strength, encouragement, and wisdom to ensure your freedom and safe return. Remember all things work together for the good of those that love God and that are called according to his purpose. To the world it is very clear that you all love God and care for this country through your many acts of humanitarianism and outstretched arms to others in need. Kendra Tayfel: Please release these innocent hikers. Or if anything, provide a charge as to why you are holding them prisoner. They did no wrongdoing, please send them home to their families. Alicia Hicks: I am praying for the release of Josh, Shane and Sarah. Wendy Ward Anonymous Anna Schlotz: Thank you for allowing the hikers to see their mothers. I've known Josh and Shane for years, and they are kind, ethical, and deeply committed to treating all people & nations with respect and peace. There must have been a mistake. Please let them come home as soon as possible. Luay Dabasay Patricia Bizzell Anonymous: I hope this will be resolved peacefully and no violence results from this obvious misunderstanding between each others' cultures. No one was right or wrong and finger pointing is not the way to go. H, LeRoy deBoom Ernst Thaelmann: Sorry but these three were either a bunch of idiots or working on an intelligence gathering mission for the CIA or the Mossad. 27 and 30 is too old to be a stupid kid that doesn't know what they are up against. Alyson Graev Candace Jones kim Anonymous: These young people are innocent and deserve to be finally released to their mothers. Let them return home with their mothers. Marianna Strongheart Char Anonymous Katie Justice CIARA: Please understand this was simply an innocent mistake and initiate the appropriate exculpatory proceedings to free these individuals Marina Yakhnis Karen M. Roth: I am praying for strength and for the release of these three young people and strength and guidance for their families. To Iran: Please release these children back to their families. Please understand that the whole of the United States of America is their family. We miss them deeply! There will only continue to be a hole to be filled until they are peacefully returned to us. Viki Jones Dana R.: There is no greater gift than compasion. I pray Iran is able to grant that gift to these wonderful people and their families. Gérard J Bien Derek McKee Ellen Peixoto Joseph R. Wright Joel Laramee Jessica Rodriguez: PLEASE LET THEM BE FREE! Jennifer Cheddar greg michalak: Please free them Linda Rahman Mary Peppe: Set them free!!! We need to break down the barriers; dispense with the boarders and believe in whomever your God is. Let there be peace on earth . . . . Jill Giles: With hopes that the Iranian government may find enough compassion and fairness to settle its differences with the proper U.S. authorities and not use these three innocents as their pawns. I'm sending prayers and energy, hoping for their release. Hannah Krieger Anonymous: My prayers are with Sarah, Shane and Josh and their families. Anonymous: Please release these innocent hikers. They are not spies. They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is just a big misunderstanding. Our prayers are with you. Richard Strongheart Wendy Ferrari: To whom it may concern, I am a mother who was once separated from my own very young children. I was not allowed telephone contact for more than a year and half. I know how I suffered and I don't like to see anyone suffer. Please allow these young people to speak with their families. They seem to have been detained a long time; What is their crime???? If they wanted to visit Iran, couldn't have they been allowed entry on a visa? Please be fair to them. Sincerely, Wendy Ferrari Anonymous Richard Morgan neeraj: We 'll bring u home guys... Anonymous Anonymous Mary Louise Trask: In the words of Iran's great poet Hafiz (translation D. Ladinsky) Light will someday split you open Even if your life is now a cage, For a divine seed, the crown of destiny, Is hidden and sown on an ancient fertile plain You hold title to. Love will surely bust you wide open Into an unfettered blooming new galaxy... Beth Armstrong: Please Iran, be humane and gracious. Anonymous Bradley Peate Angela lewis joe fowler: Iranian brothers, let them go, we can live in peace. The world will thank you for your bravery. Anonymous: Praying for you all. Koryn Webb: FREE THEM. Araceli Ruiz Dorothy Blake: I pray for you all every day! Theresa Beijerbergen: Please free them!! zach balle: We at Hugitforward.com are manifesting/co-creating with all of you to walk forever into your mothers arms. Stay brave and positive Steve Lepine: My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah, Shane, Josh, for a safe return home to their families and to us, their US homeland. My thoughts and prayers are also with the Iranian government to show the world that they are merciful as they say they are and that God will help them to come to the right decision and release these three American citizens back to their country. Sandra Roberts Anonymous: please allow these young adults to come home with their families. Sohail: IRAN should not release these spies, and in fact they should be treated like Americans are treating the prisoners in GITMO, IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN. Americans tend to cry and whine when the pain hits home, but I do not see them standing up and crying foul for the way Americans are treating prisoners being hel for years with no charges, no legal status or outlook for a chance to have their day in court. They should get use to their fate and rot in hell till the end. Anonymous: My Prayers and thoughts are with you. Come home safely.. with love. Maureen Schmidt Lolita Russell Jon Spinac: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everyhere - Martin Luther King Jr, 1967 A.D. Anonymous Johann Myburgh Heather Hardcastle: Please release these three fine human beings who bear no one ill will, and are certainly not spies. It would be remarkable for the world to see Iran release Shane, Sarah and Josh on humanitarian grounds. Please do what is right! Thank you. Colette Ortiz: You are all in my thoughts and in my heart. Stay strong and determined. ramona saadi: release the prisoners! release the american and iranian friends!i'm an iranian and right now lots of my people are in iran's prisons. همه ما با هم برای آزادی دوستانمان دعا می کنیم. sylvia arditti: we humbly await thir return as we are all human and make mistakes as the hikers did and so did iran;s government Jaimee Davis Cindy Levey Lori Clements-Grote Michelle Mazur Anonymous: The United States Gov't needs to do something about this. Linnea Hiltzheimer g. kleiman: please free these young people. have some compassion, Iran Sean Dawson marie coury Anonymous Joyce Heisen: Shame on Iran. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Jennifer James-Rhoades Anonymous Anonymous: please send them home to their families. Dolores Liberi: We are praying for you. Anonymous Anonymous Kenneth Brown: Freedom is our God given right! To have it stolen from three innocent citizens of the United States is not only a crime against them and their families but an act of war against our beloved country!!! Anonymous Sarah Lynn Miles: Please free these hikers. They did not mean to cross into the Iranian border and clearly are well-intentioned, good people who do not deserve this punishment. It is not fair to take advantage of innocent Americans who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time in order to further Iran's political views. Gary F Harrington Susan Whisler Chloe: Please know that the hikers and their families and friends are in my prayers. I hope that the hikers are able to come home soon. I feel for the family. I know this must be a difficult time for everyone involved. Just know that you are not alone. Jason Morar: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a small man not only in stature, but in spirit as well. Ryon Crabtree: I hope for a speedy and safe return, my thoughts and prayers are with you guys. John Gaeta: This is an outrage. We need to get them home ASAP. They are in my prayers. Anonymous: Perhaps the US governmaent could send someone on their behalf as they did when they sent President Bill Clinton to bring Laura Ling home from Korea. Anonymous: Our govt. needs to do more to help these families. They were unwittingly caught up in political turmoil and should not have to pay this heavy price for something they have no part in. State Dept. - do your job! John Howard: We need to get them home now. Linda Bahwell: Shane, Sarah and Josh, may God protect you and bring you home soon. We are praying for you. Marie Westphalen: Please free these young people if for nothing else but Humanitarian reasons. Anonymous: Come on President Obama make some waves and bring these children back to there family. Please Iran return these young people to there home and family unharmed.They meant you know harm in anyway.They need to come home. Alex B: if there is no proof that they are a spy they should be let go. Kimberly Cuneo Anonymous Ben Spier Anonymous R Foley: I eanestly feel for these innocent youth that are held unjustly by Iran. Shame on the US Government for not being efficient and deligent to solve this Injustice the day they were captured and the lady in the Italian jail. The US Governement has no more International clout and respect. How then can we demand righteousness from our children when our Government is lame, since Bush sent us to two dragged on expensive Wars. Bush has crippled all US Citizens forever. Make friends, not enemies and influence people. Paula Johnson Susan Riedle: We must free the hikers at any cost! James Walker Anonymous Cyndy Canada Anonymous Jeremy P. Anderson: Please release these people, they are good people who in most likelihood came in search of beauty and peace and found that almost a year of their lives have been taken over something like a breach of border issue when it was an obvious mistake. If the Iranians will only look at their backgrounds they would see this. Ric Wilson: To the family members: You know in your hearts what is behind all of this, your loved ones are being used as a bargining chip. That is why they will come home. It's just a matter of time and it must be so hard to wait. God is with them and you. He is aware. Stay strong in your faith and know there we be a positive outcome. Shane, Sarah, and Josh will be so welcomed when they touch down in the United States. Your lives will change forever so look forward to it, keep your spirts up. You have Americans praying for you, stay strong. You will see them again and what a day that will be. Stephen R. Jukich Anne Henke Bobbie Knauer: The world at large understands that, clearly, the three hikers were hiking....and had no intention of entering Iran. They are hikers and certainly not spies! PLEASE GIVE THEM BACK THEIR FREEDOM NOW AND LET THEM GO HOME. Anonymous JOSEPH CHARLES POWELL LOPEZ: PLEASE SET ASIDE OUR COUNTRY'S FAILING DIPLOMACY AND THE CONTINUED FLATLINE OF RELATIONS WITH YOUR COUNTRY AND LET THESE INNOCENT, BEAUTIFUL SOILS COME HOME!!!! HOW MUCH MORE PUNISHMENT DO THEY DESERVE FOR THIS SIMPLE MISTAKE? THAT'S ALL IT WAS, IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!! judy Prince:* " LET OUR PEOPLE GO" Susan: My heart is heavy for the Mother's, Father's and sibling's of the 3 beautiful people that have been imprisioned for hiking. Hiking, people, this is all they were doing hiking. The imprisionment of Shane, Sarah and Josh is an absolute outrage. I pray for these lovely people and their famlies. Release Shane, Sarah and Josh. God Bless you. Pamela Oberfeld Tiffanie Kimack Christopher Hylton: Please free the hikers...they have commited NO CRIME. Jared Estes: they deserve to be home,our government needs to get off their asses Anonymous Julia Dweck Curtis Golden: I am hopeful Lisa Gentet Terry Hallberg Fred Baldino: Good luck to you guys,but with the dumbass we have now???? Bonnie Stenglein: Our family is praying for your release. LesteE Caldwell: The Islamic government of Iran continues to cause the rest of us to doubt their morality. They only hurt whatever cause they think they have. Our thoughts are with you and your families. Anonymous Harry W Radel Tracy DuBois: Please free the hikers. We know they are innocent, Iran knows they are innocent. Cut the carp already. Jo Ann McIntosh: I pray that God will answer all of our prayers for these three young people. Anonymous Anonymous: Please release the hikers now Terry Gibson: Many people are praying for these three inocent people. Sarah & Bob Gorrell: Praying for their release, and safe return, to U.S. soil. How unfortunate that their journey to "see the world" has ended in these trying circumstances. Anthony Boyd Rebecca Pate: I believe we should be doing all we can to support these students. I am disappointed that the American media, government and public threw their support behind Laura Ling and Euna Lee - who did intentionally cross a border - and are not offering the same support to these 3 young people. I don’t begrudge the support provided to Laura and Euna but I am ashamed that we are not supporting these hikers equally. These students absolutely made a huge mistake, they had no business hiking near the Iraq and Iran border but also believe that these students did not intentionally cross the border. I think they behaved like many young people who don't have enough life experience to realize that the threats people warn them of are real. Children who are raised in safe, stable environments grow up to be young adults who sometimes don't have enough fear to keep them safe. Long term imprisonment seems excessively harsh. Joshua Tyler Stearman: I have hope that the government of the nation of Iran will show compassion and human understanding by releasing the American hikers to their families back in the United States. Darwin C. Harder Jr.: The recent 'act' to re-unite the 3 hikers was a 10 hour reprieve of anguish for their mothers but it does not wipe clean the fact that the Iranian government is not allowing due process or transparency roy coley: Why was these dumn ass liberals there in the first place? Diane M. Tropia: My prayers go out to Shane, Sarah, and Josh, and their families. I pray every single day for them and their families that the Iranian officials will see that they should be released immediately. I cannot even imagine the pain that their families are suffering through these many months. I pray the Obama administration will PLEASE GET THESE THREE BEAUTIFUL HIKERS released. By the Grace of God, I pray they come home unharmed and blessed by God and his mercy on the Iranians, that they shall see the error in their ways. God bless you all. I am truly heartbroken and deeply angered over this terrible injustice. jolene dawes Anonymous: we are tired of our govt helping other countries and not our Americans lets free these kids and throw all the immigrants out; they are taking jobs away from our people; no country helps us these kids did no wrong cut off all our aid to them they will soon give us back what belongs to us our kids.isnt it enough our soldiers are giving up their lives for them foreignders?we want our 3 kids home Erin Kidd: Please send the young travelers of peace home to their families. Let them continue on the path of service and education. Thank you for your compassion and consideration of this matter. Anonymous: please show compassion,an islamic attribute. Shari O\'Mara Anonymous Jim Francois Kathy Hallberg Steve Wyatt: Please Let them go back to their families GINO SCOLARI: These 3 stooges deserve a lil time to think about how STUPID they are!! Hiking in Iraq \ Iran!! My Son and many others are fighting there still to this day and you STINKIN HIPPIES think it's fun time. I hope all you tree huggers now see for your fake selves how PRECIUOS AMERICA IS!!! IDIOTS! Yopu all do dumb stuff like this then cry for American govt intervention...go burn your draft cards on the iranian consulate steps... Jeff Green Anita Nallathamby pegeen mccarthy haigwood Anonymous Gail B. McGlown: I pray that Iran lets all of the young people go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anonymous: I hope the Iranian government releases Sarah, Shane and Josh soon so that they can come home soon! Faith Farley: In our world today, it is extremely sad that innocent people become the victom of curcumstance and that humans don't find the truth strong enough by itself. Please free the Americans! mary atwood: May those with the power to free show compassion and release them soon. Perhaps some good can come from the months they've been held, some sort of humane communication, some sort of change for the better. I have learned so much that I did not know before. Sending strength to families and those kids! Jason Snurr Sky Armin Narro: Arminfriedchicken@myspace.com I have over 2000 original rock videos uploaded to my space...You Tube....Facebook If swapping Iranians for Shane, Sarah and Josh will free them so be it Mr & Mrs Tom Martin: The whole world is watching! Mary Davis Catherine Rogers Annette Richardson Karin Lacroix Cynthia Denny: For the benefit of all countries, cultures and religions... the release of these three can only bring hope for everyone. Please release them as an example for others to follow. Sincerely, C. Denny Anonymous Indira Mohabi Nicol Huff: I hope the Iranian government will do the right thing and release these Americans immediately. Anonymous John M. Sawyer: I should like to petition the Government of Iran to free these hikers. They have no quarrel with, animus toward, nor agenda against the state of Iran. They are not spies, agents, or saboteurs. They are young hikers who got lost and/or were in error as to their location. They should be released. Helen F. Sawyer: The hikers should be released. It would show great magnanimity on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran... Anonymous Mike Dewar chancey mussial: praying and sharing your story. namaste n Godspeed Sterling Huff: Please free these young people. Lynda Curry: Hopefully they can find the compassion to let these innocent kids come home where they belong...I pray they do so soon... Kate Anne Brennan: Peace-loving people know that the people of Iran are compassionate. Please exercise compassion and free these young people who mistakingly wandered into your land. Salaam. Michael Shaw: Free them or prove they are spies. Where is the proof? Oh, they don't have any proof...SO LET THEM FREE !!! Lisa Smith Barb Harnish: These gentle, kind young people should be allowed to go home. I hope the Iranian Government will show compassion and release them. Johnny Anonymous: Let them go home Anonymous: prayers are with all 3 hikers and their families Liann Ciucci Anonymous Anonymous Christina Joseph Dave Bain: Abduction of civilians is an international crime. Sooner or later the dictators will have to answer for this in The Hague, and their detainment will not shorter that the time they have cost these hikers. simon billinge Jake Milson: Please release the hikers. They made an honest mistake. Your government knows that they are not part of any military or civilian plot to harm your country. They need to be let go before this all turns bad and heads in a direction that you will not be able to recover from... Maura Clement: A sister of a soldier wishes you home! Frances Kaufmann: Pleaase release these three Americans so that they can return to their families and productive lives. Mary Neigebauer Anonymous: Please let these innocent children go. Lexa Kalyn Alwin Carolyn Stephens: Please help these young people come home. If they wandered across the border on purpose, they can be punished according to the law. If it was an accident, they should not be kept prisoners. Donald Driscoll: The People of Iran need to be free as well. Anonymous Yifan Chen: We are behind you. Anonymous Lidiana: stay strong god is with you all. the time will come soon when these people are set free. hope...believe...and trust that our lord and savor will hear our calling to set them free back to their loving family....GOD BLESS!!!!! aileen: may the hikers be freed soon!!!! god bless you all!!! Tuk Northup Anonymous Elizabeth Malaska: Please exercise compassion and release these innocent people. Anonymous Alex Gorshteyn: I hope Iranian people will express their opinion on the matter to the Iranian government. You just never know if your own kid will get in trouble thousands of miles away from home and with no real guilt to speak of. Anonymous: LET OUR PEOPLE GO!!!! Douglas McIntyre: May God bring you home soon and safely. Anonymous Dave in Maine: These liberals don't understand how much they have in common with their captors. The easiest way to secure their release is to identify with Ahmedinijad ; condemn the Jews, attack the US and support the Iranian sponsored slaughter of innocents throughout the region.... I'm sure Allah will be merciful if you just side with the Iranians on this one. Jay Willis: Please release the hikers, they have not ties to any government agency and are simply civilians that became lost near the border but did not intentionally cross. Margaret Emily Diaz-Llaneza Alicia Osborne Jennifer Ron Bynum: Please release the hikers. They are young people who obviously got lost. I have a dear friend in the beautiful Islamic Republic of Iran, so I know the Iranian people have great compassion. Thank you. jeffrey shannon: Please free these people. They have done nothing wrong and do not deserve to be held against their will. Thank you. Pamela Gieselman Theodore OBrien Linn Stabbetorp Lloyd Ringrose: My prayers are with them Anonymous: My prayers are heartfelt for Shane, Sarah, Josh and their Families! Anonymous: BRING THEM HOME. Anonymous: As a mother, I cannot imagine what it would be like to have your children detained by a country that doesn't understand that these are good people that by mistake ended-up at the wrong place. Please have some compasion and allow them to be free and come home to their families. I pray that their hearts will soften and that they will be freed. Jennifer: free Shane,Josh and Sarah they deserve to go back home to the families that love and care for them Anonymous: I will never understand politics nor the arrogance of nations when wanting to make their political statements, but no citizen should be held as a pawn in the game of political machination. These three young people appear to want to do so much right in this world and thus in the name of humanity and intergrity, it is beseeched that the honorable Islamic Republic of Iran please do the only right thing and release these three young so they may live to spread the words of peace and harmony. Anonymous anita criswell Beth Nelson Damo Anonymous megan: My heart goes out to the hikers who have been detained for crossing a boarder in which was a mistake. To the mothers & the fathers of these familes my prayer are with you & your children. May god be with you at all time in your need, keep your faith in God or higher power. Psalms 86: 2-5 "Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you & trust you. You are my God. Be merciful, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for my life depends on you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love all who ask your aid." God bless all of you. Sincerely, megan Eric McAuliffe Anonymous Erin McCarley Heidi: free them Anonymous Almas Amtul: In my prayers, always. Be strong. Nanci Lee: Please release these innocent people, they have done nothing wrong. Anonymous: FREE Shane, Sarah, & Josh NOW!!!!! Linda Lopez: You are in our prayers, hopefully the 3 of you will come home soon. Never give up, have faith. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters." PSALM 18:16 Nadia: I wont stop praying. James Balph: I am sure the demeanor and dignified response of these three Americans is enough to let the Government of Iran know that they are innocent of the allegations or charges brought against them. I ask the Government of Iran to release them immediately, and I encourage Shane, Sarah, and Josh to continue acting with dignity and honor. You bring respect to all the people of the USA through your patience, understanding and the wisdom that has enabled you to react so humbly on a daily basis to this most unfortunate situation. You will remain strong because you are strong people with clear consciences and a desire to do what is right. May you be released soon. Emily Lawrence: LET THE INNOCENT SISTER/BOTHER/DAUGHTER/SON/FRIEND GO! Veronica Jones Anonymous Anonymous Yevgeniy Timoshenko: SMC Iran Anonymous: Please let these kids return to their families and friends! Krista M Mitchell Elesa Nelson: For humanitarian reasons, please free the 3 hikers from the United States Eileen Echeandia: This is a sick and sad way of abusing power. Justice needs to prevail. I dont understand what is taking so long and why they are still captive. But i pray they are released soon. They are victims. People sue and get millions for less torture than this, all they are asking for and wanting is their freedom. Anonymous Virignia Ross Lisa: God bless Shane, Sarah, and Josh Joseph Spiri: May all political prisoners being held unjustly anywhere by anyone be free. Brandi Cryer: Praying for you guys! Cheryl White: I pray that this horrible ordeal ends soon and that they are returned to US soil. Nina Smith Katherine Conapinski Pamela Kirsch: We are appealing to the humanitarian heart of the Islamic Republic of Iran for a speedy release of these young innocent human beings. melissa f: My prayer's and thought's are will all of you and you'r family's. Cheri Weismantel: God Bless each of you. zainab karim: Please release these youth. A year of confinement with no charges is far too long. This is not Islamic and definitely not what the Ahlul Bayt (PBUT) would agree with. The Ahlul Bayt (PBUT) were compassionate even to those plotting against them. Do I need to remind you of Imam Ali (AS) treatment of Ibn Muljim. If your nation claims to follow their values and ethics then at least have some compassion for these youth who were only hiking at a waterfall and made a mistake. Let them go. Sheila Castellanos Cynthia Blegen Alistair Boettiger Anonymous: Please show some common sense, rationality, and intelligence and let these falsely accused people free. They were wrongly accused and unfairly detained. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Phil Hosmer Brent Anonymous: With the greatest sincerity I implore the Iranian government to release these individuals. What has been made is what we clearly call a mistake. A simple error unwittingly made and with the deepest remorse is being paid for by nearly a year of American lives. I know the Iranian government has made a slight error in judgement and will strive to change this error. Fariborz Shamshiri Rebecca Cottrell vicky cosgrove: Please do Not take out your anger at the US (and much of it may be justified!)on the 3 young lost hikers who entered your boarders. It is very unlikely they are "spies"...it is not moral to keep them as "political prisoners." Do onto others as you would have them do unto you. Why give your enemies more fuel to use against you??? I am for World Peace and I do NOT support the US foreign policies!! Daniel Keough: They're just hikers! Please let them live their lives without being a political toy of Iran. marilyn London-Ewing Michael Durkin: We are all humans. Eye for an eye never applies. Please, leaders of Iran, make this a better world: Let Them Go! Mabel Duran Sanchez Anonymous: Iran,Please free the hickers in the name of humanity.I believe they crossed the boarder by mistake and have paid for that mistake.Thank you. janett forte Maureen Sugarman Jerry Markatos Shelley List Felicite Imam: On this Earth, we are all part of the same human community, sharing the same deep connections of love of family and fears for their safety. For the sake of this shared humanity, please release Sarah, Josh and Shane, 3 young people who have so much to give to the world, so much to give to all of us. Anonymous Maggie Limbaugh Simon Beveridge Henrik Paananen Chelsea Ingle: I applaude everyone's efforts to keep awareness alive in matters of truth, justice, and strength in peace-making efforts. Paul Lewis: I hope Sarah, Shane and Josh are home soon. Debasri Ghosh Anonymous: Prayers! Anonymous cassie brown Brooks Kind Emily Spiegel Dawn Bourke Marianne Wells Elizabeth Ferrari: I am happy to hear that the Iranian government has taken good care of our young people. I look forward to their speedy return home. Paul Lisy: Is there any evidence demonstrating illegal intentions on the part of these three? I have heard of none. Please allow these three young individuals to return to their country. The goodwill this act engenders should serve the nation of Iran well. Liz: My heart goes out to all those involved. Please release these individuals as they have done nothing wrong. All my best and prayers to you all and your families. Gregory Knotts Catherine Hamilton: Please free these young Americans that were helping Americans to understand the real truth about American policies in the Middle East. Such people should be praised for their effort into bringing world peace. Arnie Harris: These young peopkle are the very best of America and its true ideals---they are NOT your enemies!! Nadine K. Anderson Zeta Seiple: Please show compassion and free Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Michael Merriweather Taylor Webb donna salvini: Hang in there guys. All of us back home are with you in spirit and we know you will be home soon. You are not alone. Gail: The three hikers are worldly independent young adults trying to make a difference by expanding their knowledge and they are now being punished. NOT RIGHT!! SOMEONE GET OVER THERE AND NEGOTIATE FOR OUR THREE AMERICANS! Jessie Hand Anonymous Susan Edwards Melissa Finn Peter van der Ven: Releasing these young people who did nothing worse than briefly cross your border would be welcomed by ordinary people everywhere. Our countries need to get beyond our unfortunate disagreements and treat eachother with mutual respect, fairness, and compassion. Please release Shane, Sarah, and Josh soon. Karen Chinich: I hope they are released very soon. This is a human rights violation! Louis Preonas Paul Jefferson Anonymous: Stay strong, keep up the good fight! Jeffrey Colledge Geraint Parry: The time has come for Iran to show compassion by returning Shane, Sarah and Josh to their families. Mary C. nikki baker William Lee Anonymous Sarai Cavalliri Natasha Beck: These three people are humanitarians,not spies. They need their freedom so they can continue their work of doing positive social change. Steven Rangel Jennifer Wolf Ariela Friedman Amanda Ortiz: Please free these 3 American citizens! They deserve to be with their families and friends! I have never met any of these people before but my heart goes out to them and their families. Shauna Letendre: Leaders, Presidents & Ministers who wish to rage war ought be on the front lines. Please, let these young people go. They are citizens of the world and this is not their war. Amanda Winston Ole Hoffmann Anonymous Dorsay Fischer: Just heard the three mothers relating their reunion with their children on the radio. I wish them all peace and strength in these difficult times and pray that the Iranian government will do the compassionate and just thing and set Josh, Sarah and Shane free. susan larsson Maureen Entera: These young people have a history of resisting America's military involvement in the middle east. They should be treated by the Iranian people as HEROES rather than imprisoned. Anonymous Jonathan Piedimonte Lori Lecomte Anonymous: Our thoughts are with the hikers! Kudos to the moms for showing exemplary courage in such a situation and channeling their desperation into positive action. You are true examples for young moms like me Rebecca Robbins: Please know many people are behind you and you will not be forgotten! Anonymous: The trio's pro-Palestinian sympathies and their inability to speak Farsi contradict the notion they might have been attempting espionage. Daniel Tiedge Randy Eckardt: Please release these compassionate young Americans so they continue the dedicated human rights work they're committed to. Anonymous: I pray the hikers are released. It was an obvious mistake and it is obvious that Iran is only holding them for militant purposes. mary braunger: Envisioning you all home and smiling! Athanasia Kiousi Richard Frank Maria Hornung: In solidarity... Karen Czarniak Paul D. Cureton: These young adults have come to this difficult situation in part because they had the courage and caring to try and understand the world, and specifically the Middle East political reality first hand in the soverign land itself. Please free them. Grace Cho: thoughts and prayers with them!! Meg Janci Anonymous Varya Siegel D. Bart Marvin: Greetings. I've been aware of your plight for some time and recently heard an extensive piece on NPR today. Best wishes and keep writing. Amani, Bart Sally Hayati Dana Barnett: Please let Shane, Sarah, and Josh go home to their families. Anonymous: Bring the hikers home! Minu Sebastian: I realize that the hikers crossed the Iranian border illegally, but it was an accident, and they are willing to pay a fine for their mistake. Please through the goodness of your heart, release them from prison. They are not spies, in fact, they have a lot of compassion for the people of the Middle East. Thank you. Victoria Maranto hilary kimblin Julianne Urban Beth Younker Anonymous Michael Kluck: Give them back their lives. They cannot possibly hurt the Islamic Republic of Iran and their release could only help relations between our two countries. sarah baube: i wish my best to these three their family and their friends; i hope they can soon be returned home. Anonymous: Please let them go! Anonymous Nellie Wolfe Rita: Prayers for your release, prayers do wonders!! Jackie M Bill Jungbluth Steve Sierra: These hikers did nothing wrong. Please let them go home to their families. Judith B Burns Artemis Jaki Hann Ann French Anonymous: Please set these innocent hikers free. We implore you to allow them freedom, so they can live their lives in peace. Lynette Mason Anonymous: Please show compassion for these young people who should be given the human right to live free from injustice, just as they have devoted their lives to helping others be given that same right. They deserve to live their lives outside of a prison cell instead of being detained and robbed of life. Sheelah Murthy: As a teacher and mother who works hard to teach young people to care and love others I am deeply moved by the plight of Sarah, Shane and Josh. These young people are some of the brightest examples of what it means to live a life of compassion and courage. They must be released immediately! Tanvir Ansari: Doing injustice to any one to settle the political rivalry is against the ethics and teaching of ISLAM. If you think America has been doing injustice then you may be right, but this is no way to hold on to anyone for 10 months. Please allow Shane, Sarah & Josh to reunite with there families. Thank you to DemocracyNow.org & Amy Goodman to bring the story & my prayers for the family in this hard time. Peter Schuman Chris Jewett: Basically what's going on here is this: Iran's government kidnapped three people and are holding them for ransom (a prisoner exchange is one possible means for the ransom). They then insulted the public's intelligence by thinking it would come across as humane and generous if they allowed the kidnapped people to see their parents. The only way to really be humane or fair, would be to free the kidnapped hikers, pay compensatory and punitive damages to the hikers and their families, and have all those involved in the decision to kidnap the hikers serve prison terms themselves (but only after standing trial). I guess that may be unrealistic, but I just wanted to point out that anything short of that really would not be humane or fair. Cheryl Ballou Anonymous Camila Aguilar: It seems very obvious that Iran's leadership is maintaining a different policy of justice for Americans who accidentally wandered over Iranian borders versus many other nationals from other, more neutral, states. Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo ... the list of grievances is long. Still, holding Shane, Sarah and Josh without charges and unjustly imprisoned will not bring justice. An eye for an eye does not bring a vision of evolving humanity to fruition. May the shining hearts of Sarah, Shane and Josh bring inspiring light to act for justice by the many. Robin Denton: It is not only in the interest of the three young Americans presently held in an Iranian prison, but in the interests of Iran and its international standing. It is understandable that Iran would stop and question the three, but the extended imprisonment is totally unjustified. Please set them free as soon as possible. Dr. Qwo-Li Driskill Lois Brooks: The world’s eyes are on Iran right now. Don’t become like the US show the world Iran is better than that. Only a moral country, where the people’s hearts are good, would free 3 young citizens from a nation that threatens them. Please take the high moral ground and prove to the world that my country, the US is wrong about Iran. Please release these young us hikers and give their mom’s some peace. Kevinjohn Tandoc Anonymous Bitha Miller: Please stop using innocent people for political leverage. Anonymous EilertHansen charles h mousseau jr: we will bring you guys home soon jeffrey steenbergjeffrey Vincent Bouchard Robyn Lauster: I think Iran should understand that holding these three young people will not further their cause internationally. Others who have strayed into Iranian waters or onto land have been released in a much more timely and compassionate manner. There is no advantage to holding them. It will only cause more ill will and misunderstanding between our countries. Afee Roberts: Please free these innocent hikers. Steven Mangual: I think its shamefull of the Iranian government including their president to continue to hold these American Hikers in jail and use excuses such as that it's up to the Iranian Judicary when an obvious double standard has been practiced with these specific people that crossed the Iranian border. There is no reason to hold them and this is a clear sign to all people of conscience and political consciousnes that the reasons are strictly political and that the Iranian so-called justice system is a farce. I feel sorry for those hikers and for the Iranian population that have to be under such an antiquated and unjust political system and I rather be in prison in teh US than to live as a citizen in Iran after learning of these hikers and the Iranian presidents responses. FREE THEM NOW!!! gary: seeing the interview of the mothers of these kids on "democracy now" shows me they have great concern for Muslim people and Iran leaders should take note and let them go!! Monica Pagani Annette Guidry: Josh, Sarah, and Shane are compassionate and caring people who don't support any US foreign policies that cause harm to others. It will not further your foreign relations or international policy goals to continue to hold innocent hikers who accidentally strayed across your border. To back out of this situation with grace and dignity, hold a high-profile and public trial for "Trespassing", then show both compassion and a firm stance by releasing the hikers, banning them from future re-entry. Do this before July 31, 2010, and in the meantime, treat them with compassion and care, with a focus on maintaining their health and well-being. Eleonore Miller: Govt. of Iran: Surely you must realize that detaining such great kids does nothing to promote positive world opinion of your country. These kids are PRO Palestine, PRO better relations with the Islamic world! These three are open-minded, non-judgmental international citizens. It would way better serve your government to release them with an apology. Anonymous: Stay strong Tami Fridley Anh Huynh Anonymous: Please forgive and release the hikers as a sign of proof that Iran is compassionate and wishes for equal compassion from other countries. Laurent Bontoux Francine Birbragher: My prayers are with Josh, Shane, Sarah, and their families. Julie Westover: Send them all home safe to there families!! Carol Fischer courtney: The humanity should someday surpass the posturing and combative nature that countries take with oneanother. It's a planet we all share. Borders are man-made. The earth is not. Carl Zweben Ph D: As a parent and grandparent, I can only imagine the anguish of the families of Shane, Sarah and Josh. My thoughts are with you all. I join with all the concerned people of the world in the hope that they will be released immediately. Chelsea: Let them free Iran, it's been almost a year!! I did not know Shane, Sarah, or Josh... but I would never go to Iran for business or travel after hearing the stories and mishaps of American citizens being detained there. We live in a time where the world is still shackled by fear of the "other." It is time to not only set free these 3 innocent American Hikers but also yourselves. I want to live in a time of peaceful prosperity not fear, I'm an idealist. Please compassionately understand this and please.. please.. please.. release them as soon as possible. Andrea Ryfinski ginger van wagner: Please, please, please release the hikers in Iran. They meant no harm. You as a country will gain my respect if you release them. Amanda Franklin Michelle Bair: I only hope and pray that if these were any one of your children that they would have the same oppertunity to come home. These kids were not doing anything wrong to be put in prison in the first place, there for, with that being said,,,,,if you do believe in god, send these kids home to their families were they belong and stop the insanity...There is way too much of that in the world now as it is with out having inocent children that are actually being held against their will.....Let it be said, let it be written and god help us let it be done! Misty Sweeney Susan Esslinger: Hoping you are all well and home soon Marisa: Freedom is one of the strongest elements we have in life.Imagine having your freedom tooken away out of the united states from a country you no"No one,No place and nothing about.Its not a game.This is reality and its a true factor thats apart of there reality.A real life situation.My condolence goes out to parents and family members and the three individuals Sarah,shane,josh who is incarcerated but will be set free....god bless and keep praying,have faith!!!!! Anonymous David Schott: Please free them Iran Anonymous Valerie Lopez Ereeni Roulakis Michele Serine Carol O\'Brien: Given the history of their activism against US policy in the Middle East it is ironically tragic that they should have been detained. I am glad to hear that their treatment has been humane. I ask that you be compassionate, free them, and maybe dance at the wedding? Sarah Premo: And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. -Kahlil Gibran We are thinking of you all and know that love will bring home. Anonymous: Please free the hikers. They do not deserve to be locked up. Let them go! Marty Thomas Dr. Carolyn Knox: We in Oregon are convinced of the innocence of these young people because of Josh's record of community service here. These are clearly not spies but nature enthusiasts. Please return them to their home and/or give them their day in court. Mehdi Shakarchi Colin Neiburger Roz Hopkinson: Archbishop Desmond Tutu is right... Individual's cannot be held responsible when different nations do not see eye to eye. These people were acting in a spirit of peace. In the interests of real and enduring solutions built upon foundations of true justice, these innocent civilians should walk free. Lori Whitty: Freedom is such a precious thing. I pray that Josh, Shane and Sarah are safe and will come home very soon. Much love to them and to their families and friends. Jackie Gladstein Anonymous Vanessa Jana: Freedom, dignity, and hope...may they be yours. Anonymous Anonymous kris holmlund: fear ruins lives, and destroys the world stevo: life is very short, no time for fussing and fighting my friend. Donna Kroeger: What is happening to these three young people is inhumane and they need the backing of our government to help with their release. Kim Williams Josh Pruett nina davids Scott Neil Lucy Swanner: Please put aside any political discourse between our countries and let these innocent young people go home. Dennis Kriaris: I really hope you are well in your health and get released the soonest possible! Rida Suleri-Johnson: Free the three. xxx Ned Buchbinder amazon Cali Laumb Melanie S. Pinkert Barbara Priebe Diana Brunswig-Bosso Anonymous Suzanne Kowalski: Please release these three hikers and demonstrate Iran's commitment to compassion. Anonymous Janet Habib: The values of these young people are the best hope of the world. Be inspired by them. Summer Burgess Anonymous Matilda Sabal Nora Huntley Joan Elias Amber Edwards carl mellin maxwell Block kevin conway nancy cahan Jacob Peters andrew Sanders Reed Smoot Kanchan Marathe: Please stop this politics of hatred... Anonymous: Please release them! I'm only a little girl and every day I check the news just to see if these innocent people are released. Holly Knight: I have written a letter to the president and will mail it tomorrow. I am deeply saddened that these young peacemakers have been wrongly imprisoned. My prayers are with them and their families. I wish them health and a speedy reunion--stateside. Alison Grise: Please, send Josh, Sarah and Shane home safely to their families where they belong. Petra: All people are erring and crossing border in mountains where it isn't marked it is easy to make mistake. These people should be released as soon as possible. Thank you. Juergen Meyenburg Sarah Jane Hamilton Kristina Kersting Linda Stone: In the terrain they were hiking it is not always apparent to know where the borders are. This was not an intentional action. They need to be freed! Monica Villarreal Tiffany Suiaunoa Anonymous Augusta Lamoree Anne: There are those who see, those who see when shown, and those who cannot see. Tim Olsen marco bianchi Anonymous: Bring them home Toby Finkelstein Marey Erickson: Please bring them home and allow the hikers to see their families and friends. Joshua Albers Colleen Stumpf Cathy: Praying for immediate release and return to thier families in US. ann o.: Sarah, Shane, Josh Hope you are released soon!!! Christine Ho: It is unconscionable that Iran is holding the 3 young Americans as hostages for some future political exchange. David Lerner alison axelson Jen O\'Hurley: Please free the hikers! PFC Charles Griffith Anonymous Elana Goldberg: Love and Light to all involved. Anonymous Cindy Dewey: Please free the hikers. Nicole Carlson Beth Hafling Nadine Seyam Danielle Feris Andrew L Clark Haley Wilson: Please release these innocent citizens. It is clear to anyone that their intentions were wholesome and good. Why should we keep innocent people in prison, let them be free, it is their basic human right. Wouldn't you want the same for your child? Adam N Stevenson Tracy Miller: They are not forgotten Kaitlyn James Denise Romesburg Dakota Krupp Michelle King: Please show compassion and free these young people. Dr. and Mrs. Bryan Delage Kim Daugherty: If the government of Iran has additional evidence to support the continued detention of these Americans, why is this evidence not shown? Alison Morgan Carol Terry Melissa Sandgren Anonymous: Please forgive a mistake. Please allow communication and then, please find it in your heart to release these three people of peace. Angie Hsu Anonymous Anonymous: It's time to release the hikers. We hope that Iranian government will allow them home now. Cory G. Ekern: These people meant your sovereign nation no harm. The United States respects the borders of countries who respect our borders. Please show us and the world your compassion by releasing these Americans who simply made an innocent mistake. Roxanne Samer Matan: Where is the outcry?? Melissa Mack Sally Rapuano: May love surround you. Debra Julin: What to write? I hope you they are released soon and that Iran stops using them as political pawns, they are people. My prayers are with them and their families. Shelby Knox Anonymous: Please let these hikers go...it's absolutely ludicrous to hold american college students as prisoners when they have done absolutely nothing wrong. Let them come home to their families and live out their lives. JoAnn Sturgill: It's a shame that this situation has been allowed to continue as long as it has. Can someone with authority PLEASE step forward and intervene? Hans Manshoven Anonymous: What avenues are there for appealing to our own government to intervene? Tricia Crumpley: PLEASE SHOW SOME COMPASSION FOR THESE HIKERS! Amy Jussel: Almost been a year...can't quite fathom. :-( Shadia Daud Emma Herzog Micheál Ciarraí Christopher Tilley Michele Anthony Ron Olsen Anonymous: I have watched this story with interest over the past months and one question keeps nagging at me....why in God's name would these kids be hiking in Iraq OR Iran? There is a war going on in Iraq and Iran is run by a maniac. Seems to me these kids were not using any common sense. Amy L. Cohen George Beekman Anonymous: such a travesty...my thoughts are with these people and their loved ones. Hoping that the people holding them will do the right thing. MadamaAmbi: My interview with Nora Shourd, mother of Sarah Shourd, 1 of 3 imprisoned hikers in Evin prison, Iran http://goo.gl/rwGW Jacqueline Ashton de Floris: All of my understanding of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the great people of this country, their desire to follow the Prophet Mohammad's teachings lead me to believe that you, the government of Iran, will hold a fair trail for Sarah Shourd, Shame Bauer and Josh Fattal, American students, travelers and human beings interested in knowing and understanding the other peoples and cultures who share our world in order to better respect them, and allow them to return to the arms of their families and friends who love them, and to the important work on behalf of humanity and the environment that can enable us all to live in greater dignity, peace and respect. Rachel: Thoughts and wishes to 3 amazing people. hope they get to go home real soon. Jocelyn Hoffman Anonymous Travis Lynn Harvey Anonymous Jeffrey Lyon Cara Romanik JEROEN KOK Court M. Carson: These three young scholars represent America's desire to learn, love, and understand the cultures of our world. They had no knowledge or intention of crossing into Iran’s borders. They are people of peace and compassion who want nothing more than to come home to the people they love. If someone with a voice in the fate of Shane, Sarah, and Josh comes across this letter, then please hear what I have to say. This petition is a roster of solders of an army. Not an army that wants war, destruction, and suffering, but an army with a goal to create a society of peace, unity, compassion, and love between the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America, and all the countries of the world so that we may walk together in our world earth as one. You have three of our greatest solders. The Prophet Muhammad encouraged travel and pilgrimage. Lets these good people go so they may continue to do what The Good Prophet loved. And mabey one day, they may come to take a journey to historically rich cultural land of Iran not as prisoners, but good friends. این سه محقق جوان نشان دهنده تمایل امریکا به یادگیری ، عشق ، و درک فرهنگ های جهان ما. آنها تا به حال هیچ دانش یا قصد عبور به داخل مرزهای ایران است. آنها افرادی هستند که از صلح و شفقت که می خواهند چیزی بیش از خانه بیایم به مردمی که به آنها عشق است. اگر کسی با صدا در سرنوشت شین ، سارا ، جاش می آید و در سراسر این نامه ، پس لطفا گوش چه باید بگویم. این طومار فهرستی از لحیم کاری از ارتش است. هنوز ارتش است که می خواهد جنگ ، کشتار و درد و رنج ، اما ارتش با هدف ایجاد جامعه صلح ، وحدت ، محبت ، و عشق بین جمهوری اسلامی ایران ، ایالات متحده آمریکا و همه کشورهای جهان به طوری که ما با یکدیگر ممکن است راه رفتن در زمین را در جهان ما را به عنوان 1. شما سه نفر از ما بزرگترین لحیم کاری. حضرت محمد (ص تشویق سفر و زیارت. بیایید این افراد را خوب به طوری که آنها ممکن است همچنان به آنچه که رسول خدا دوست داشت خوب. و شاید یک روز ، آنها ممکن است سفر را به سرزمین تاریخی فرهنگی غنی ایران است نه به عنوان زندانی ، اما دوستان. ed marks: your government would gain some sense of repect if you did the right thing and let them come home Don Neske: For many of us in the US who wish the best for the Iranian people and want our government to work toward better relations with the Iranian government, this incident works against any possible good intentions. I sincerely hope that the Iranian government will reevaluate the facts and reconsider its position and release Sarah, Shane and Josh. Sean Brian Trimby Ryan Pickell patty wagner mickey morgan: Please don't let the innocent get in the way of conflicts which they do not participate in. Please mickey morgan Anonymous Julie Ritz Anonymous: I just finished reading "Between Two Worlds" by Roxana Saberi, and found this website in her bibliography. It makes me very sad to hear about all the innocent people detained in Iran. Shelia Cooke Ryan Middlekauff: Prayers are with all of you and your families. Hope to have you back in the States soon. Holly Randall: Please free these innocents! Anonymous: We ask the Nation Of Iran to remember mercy and free Shane, Sarah and Josh. Their dear mothers miss them terribly Anonymous t. Khorram Sinan James Isilay Anonymous Karen Kilberg Umme Mahbuba Anonymous: i read about this in the Outsider it is sad to think what others are going through. God Bless Anonymous Tiffany Burchell Micah Calabrese Naomi Addyman: My thoughts are with these three young people. I hope for their release soon. Anonymous Anonymous Gordie Brown Tina Steffanie-Oak Sandy Ressler Michelle deRoulhac: Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh to their family and loved ones. Anandre Els Kevin Sawyer: Welcome Home! Cathy Nign Devendra Bhagwat: Please free them, that's all I and my countrymen would hope Iran should do, they're just hikers and dont pose any threat. People make mistakes so did these 3 might have done but I hope Iran would understand and release them.. Anita Wokhlu: The world community is watching this. These were travelers on Iraqi territory. They are not spies. I am an American citizen and do not harbor any prejudice. These young people need to returned safely and expeditiously. However, this is unacceptable I will support the US government and United Nations in whatever actions they pursue to facilitate their return or in response should this not occur in a timely fashion. Anita Wokhlu: I am an american citizen. I do no harbor any prejudice against Iran. This prolonged imprisonment is unacceptable. These young people are not spies. They were in Iraq. They do not strike me as having any ability or cause to spy. They deserve due process. I will support the United States and the United Nations, how ever they choose to respond internationally to what we consider unlawful imprisonment of young people by Iran. Please release them. Hannah Martin Lynne Landis: Please allow Shane, Sarah, and Josh to return home to their families. Show compassion and mercy and make a step in the right direction for peace. Lisa Coughlin: Free the hikers just let them come home, their families need them. they didn't try to harm you. deb kuhn: These compassionate individuals mean you and your country no harm. Please send them home where they are desperately wanted. Michael Kempton-Jones Elaine Almquist Sara Wolfe Anonymous Maureen Bowling Anonymous Julie Touza: Please free them from being wrongfully jailed. Giles R DeMourot: If these three young people did enter Iranian territory, it was certainly unwittingly. They are certainly not spies and it is high time that they are released to their loved ones. Suzanne Trimble Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Amber Banham Tim Prentiss Rose Delaney diana turken Stephen Williamson Amir: Taking American citizens as hostage in Iran by Muslim hardliners have happened several times.People all around the world should know that we Iranians strictly condemn this wild behavior by our government who even torches and kills Iranian every day too.We know American as one of the best nations in the world and we hope one day we destroy this dictatorship and shake friendship hands to Americans and all nations very soon. Nicole Emmett Ryan Daley Anonymous Wayne Martorelli Anonymous: With hope that the hikers will be released and no longer held prisoners for a hiking misstep across an invisible border. Anonymous: I wish them all a safe return to California. Timothy Kasten Erin Wolfe: As Desmond Tutu said, nations may have disagreements but it is not acceptable for the citizens of these nations to bear the cost. Please release Sarah, Shane and Josh. Hillary Katz Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: don't forget compassion Paula Metzner: Please? Linda Robak Francesca Regazzoni Zachary Stickney: The path to reconciliation begins with forgiveness... Free these hikers and begin building bridges with the United States, or keep them in prison and nurture a sapling of enmity. Philip Zerbe Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous William Peterson: The release of these innocents would do nothing but good for the Iranians. Peoples of the world would see that Iran is merciful and just. Please release them! April Windsor R G Bear Michael Wold: لطفا ، آیا آنچه که شناخته شده به سمت راست در چشم خدا. Anonymous Anonymous Beth Steinman: It has been too long. Please free Josh, Sarah and Shane now. I just can't imagine... Leslie Martin: Please let these 3 go home. The point has been made. Cammy Murphy Megan Medgyesi Anonymous: Free the hikers!! These three are gentle caring people. They do not deserve this treatment. Send them home to their families where they belong. Rachel Oresky David Markham William Henion Anonymous Barbara COnn Sonia Feldstein Peter Stevens Anonymous David Stiteler Marilyn Hacker Jaqueline Linnartz: Please free Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal. They are innocent from any crime. Dustin A. Stein: Please free these innocent hikers. Anonymous Anonymous Maxwell Szabo Abigail T. Fox Lindsey Anonymous Reginald Meadows: Them getting lost and finding themselves in an area they haven't seen should be considered as they were not aware of having cross Iran's border. To accuse them of being spies without proof is a good enough reason to let the hikers return to their families. Having no righteous charged them but illegally detaining them is wrong. I would ask the Iran President to consider letting them go as the Hikers have been locked up for over a year, without any evidence of their spying. Gilad.H.: When will the free world finally learn how to deal with terror funding and supporting countries? david krevolin Andrew Szeto Anonymous Rabbi Valerie Joseph Rabbi Arye Berk: These are three people not pawns and Iran should immediately release them and return them to their families. Jack Borok Rabbi Suzanne Singer Anonymous: My hope is that we can see our common bond as loving parents whose only concern is the safety of our children...politics is for politicians and innocents shouldn't be their pawns. Shaina Enrique Quintanart Ellen Bob Mark Leuchter Liz Kramer Sean Power Anonymous Sondra Rose Heidi Sinclair Rebecca Crowder K Clarke: Send them back home, they will not want to come back to your country and cause you any more headaches. Deborah Lyons: Please show the world that Iran can be a compassionate nation. Elliot Racine William Eisele Karen Schreiber Rita Banerji Glory: Please detainers of SARAH,JOSH AND SHANE, take a look at their writtings and ideas.You will discover that these are freedom fighters who have left their comfort and ease to join the freedom and justice fight of oppressed people. Glory: Please detainers of SARAH,JOSH AND SHANE, take a look at their writtings and ideas.You will discover that these are freedom fighters who have left their comfort and ease to join the freedom and justice fight of oppressed people. Greg Baker Janet Anderson Sharin Horvitz Garnet E. Chaney Gat Slor: You have no right to detain these hikers! They mean no harm to no one Patricia Mesquita Marlena Santoyo irit Margaret Motheral: There is no need to hurt anybody, ever. Let a new day of peace begin in Iran. In every act of granting freedom and humanity, Iran has the power to be heroic in the world. Larry Nelson Rev. Edie Weinstein Bonnie Relaxation International: Pray for the detained hitchikers. Visualize light and healing and blessings and protection. Katie Rudzki Kara Stairiker eileen Nathanson Anonymous Katherine Copland: These people did not knowingly break any laws. They should be freed. rinah karson: free them now! Lori De Marco Nancy King Virginia Masson: I sincerely hope that the people of Iran will open their hearts and minds to the possibility that these young people set out on a journey to increase the understanding and connection of all people, no matter their country. They are innocent travelers with only goodness in their hearts. Kelly Manjula Koza Frances Moore: Please show mercy and return these young people home to their families. May Allah bless your families in return. Kim de Laat Ingrid Swords: I respectfully ask the Iranian government to be merciful to these three individuals by releasing them to their families. Rev Beverly Zigmond Anonymous ken Tobias: Please release these young travellers and allow them to speak to their families and love ones and send them home. They are respectful of Iran and it's people......"Allah is merciful".......The world will also see this gesture as a sign of Iran's true and honorable justice and many countries will show respect. Dunya Nuaimi Angie Conroy jenelle embrey Scott Gilbert Anonymous Amy: Please free Shane, Sarah and Josh! Send them back to their family and friends where they deserve to be. Give them their lives back, please. Tori Elliott Jennifer de Forest Anonymous: Give the young people back their lives. They deserve to be set free to continue to serve others. Nicole Williams Jill Street: Please release these innocent people. Paula Boon Nathan Mork Bob Ramczyk Brooke Bundgard Tracey Keffer-Lyon Janine Camara: I urge the reader of this petition to strongly consider releasing Shane, Sarah, and Josh. Please have compassion for them and their families and send them home to their loved ones. Anonymous Jeremy Buffington: Keeping you guys in my thoughts. Hang in there, stay strong and proud, and keep the faith. Anonymous Ben Floyd: Freedom ian harper ariella lake Anonymous Heather Mattioli: From one parent to another, please release them to their families. Nothing shows more strength than compassion. -h Gloria Stefanie Jung: Honorable President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Please give compassion to Shane, Sarah and Josh. When we are not resident of a foreign land, it is possible to miss or not know about a border that may be obvious to the people of Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan. They are young people who only wanted to travel and see the beauty of your region. Again, I hope you can find the compassion to pardon their honest mistake. Stefanie Jung Stuttgart, Baden-Wurtemburg, Deutschland Dora Hasen Anonymous: Iran, the world is watching. We will not forget these young hikers, and as each day passes, the International community grows ever more impatient of your continual violations of human rights. Mary Pipiciello Judith Walker Beth Banning Aurore Guieu: From France, all my wishes for the Hikers and their families. Susan Murray Harold Remus Anonymous: Put politics aside and release these hikers so they can continue their lives. Summer Waldrop Anonymous Anonymous Andrew Hawker: Please have compassion and release the hikers back to their families where they belong. Jennifer Adamson-Kruel JOSHUA JOLLEY: Let us set aside political differences. We are simply asking the Iranian government to act with humanity in lieu of state affairs. Please release these hikers. Richard Wallace Rashidah Shelton Roger Ledger: This action by Iran shows they cannot be trusted.If Iran wants to be accepted by the rest of the World, they should release these people immediately. Tania Conwell Paola: In solidarity Hanif Shariff Eric Freeman Caitlin MacLennan Matt Ward Nancy Burckhalter Anonymous Rebecca Sullivan Noah Link AMANDA MALIN: I heard your childrens story for the first time on public radio at 3am in the morning (in Melbourne australia) when i couldnt sleep.... it has affected me deeply and I hope and pray for their safe return. BIANCA TERRY Anonymous Christian Worby: Iran is committing an inexcusable crime in this situation. I add my name to the list of those calling for their release. Abeer Tebawi: They've done nothing wrong, please release them! Anonymous: In a world where innocent people are detained for observing and adoring nature and culture, we should be mourning the loss of human rights and dignity. Morgan Barnes: This is completely unjust and another smear on Iran's poor Human Rights record. I wish for a speedy end to this nightmare and that Sarah, Shane and Josh return home soon. Taisia Cardo: This is an unnecessary act to have been carried through. The hikers obviously did not realize what territories they were traveling into and this is just the result of a world that has become too political. People from all over the world, no matter what ethnic background, no matter what world issues are going on at the present time, people should be compassionate and understanding of those who simply wanted to explore what natural beauties the world has to offer. These hikers should be let go immediately!! Rabbi Yonah Bookstein Toby Holmes Sue Gilot: God Bless Shane, Sarah and Josh. Come home soon to the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE Christina Pisel Anonymous Claire Dowell Saffron Gardenchild D.B.Cooper Conor Mongey preeva tramiel Patricia Hippely Brenda Battad miranda levitt Mehram Maleki: Even if their entrance into Iranian territory was intentional they should have been detained for only a couple of weeks (for paperwork processing) then deported. It doesn't make sense to keep them for many months in jail with no recourse for speeding their release. If Iran is doing well, it doesn't need to use these three young bright students to assert anything. Let them go and busy yourselves with real problems please. This part is in Persian: bAbA veleshun kon beran! inA setA Adame bikAr nistand. darso zendegi dAran va vaght barAshun kheyli mohemme. hamin emruz veleshun kon beran. boro setA ghAchAghchi begir bendAz zendun. Raluca Pataliu LESLIE HOBBS Ralph Sobek: As a fellow University of California at Berkeley Graduate I request most humbly the release of the 3 students: Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal Raya Irene Cooper: Please let the doves fly free. Kitty Pucci Anonymous: In the name of justice and compassion, free these innocent souls and allow them to return to their families. Cheri Brugman Anonymous: True Muslims would free them immediately Anonymous ekeim teeuwisse: when Islam is a "faith of love and compassion" then prove that ! Abigail Macfarlane Anonymous Natasha McIntosh: These young writers and travelers are enemies of no one. They come from a place where people are FREE to hike and explore. How could they know that by simply hiking around they would be incarcerated?? They didn't know, they are innocents - and to hold them when they have done nothing wrong, is unjust in all eyes - in Gods eyes too. Please, be merciful. They are not soldiers, they are not enemies, they are writers and explorers and children . . . embody peace - show the world that Iran can be reasonable and compassionate. Set them free, give them back to their families. Be strong, be loving, be as God asks you to be. Trust that God will protect you - you do not have to jail these children!! Eric Sirkin Katharine Quince Joe Bubel: I'm a business colleague of Joshua's Dad, and I share the hope that Iran will allow these hikers to return to their families. Cristina Seica Lauren Stothert Carly McIver Shazia Bhatti Suzanne Albers Joanne O\'Keeffe Christine Nelson Pamela Jardine June Clawson john shrapnel Maire Smyth Kate Anderson: Holding these young people is causing great pain to many people. I would like the government of Iran to consider how much suffering these people's poor parents must be feeling and generously reunite them with their families. MONTSE PEJUAN Isobel Campbell Jill Bennett Anonymous Dr Jenni Chambers C Abbott lisa sugiura: Please end this unjust and inhumane situation Emma Williams Cetin Altun Steve Ingram: It seems to me the Iranian government would gain more by releasing Sarah, Shane and Josh, than by imprisoning them. Matt Davies Joanna Carter Miranda Haigh judy arliss: I'm happy to help in any way. I'm a writer/teacher and old quaker activist. Am in shropshire. please contact me if you need my help. judy Emma Kennedy Dilys Page Zoe Lister Caroline Fielding Anonymous: The detention of these people does no favours to the reputation of Iran. Anonymous Penelope Maclachlan: They're innocent Anonymous ran holst Anneli Cooper Genevieve: Please exercise your compassion! Alison Zaharee Susan Houston Deborah Batey: I am a mother and a teacher. I support you as human beings and plead with iran on humanitarian grounds to release these innocent hikers. Daan Spits Anonymous Anonymous Mitch Painovich Anonymous charlotte: Bring them home! Bo Nenzel: Please free these people. The world would appreciate it. Matthew Juden: Shane, Sarah and Josh are all global citizens seeking to further understanding and respect between cultures. Detaining them can only harm the cause of global peace and prosperity. It does nothing to right the historical injustices undoubtedly visited upon Iran. ED WISNER Sara Miller Nick Gold: These innocent people must be freed now. Dorothy Cosh: These people have committed no crime and should be freed. christina clark Anonymous: I was once again reminded of the plight of the three hikers detained in Iran for one year. Please stop using these young people as political fodder. My thoughts and prayers are with the hikers, their families and friends. Anonymous Sue Henderson Philip Perry Cid Richardson Tom Jessor mary donald: Please release these people immediately, it's a great injustice to detain them. Have a heart...treat them like human beings Kelly Pascall Shiraz Engineer: Please be gracious and free them. From a fellow Persian. Sophie Martin Hulme Jenny Luck victoria cheape Graham Porter: I can't begin to imagine how hard this must be for their mothers. Please be compassionate and send them home. Alis Brito Margaret Michal: Keeping them as prisoners doesn't enhance your standing in the world. Ruth McKee: The three hikers' continued detention is a shocking violation of their basic human rights. Iran's human rights record is dire: hopefully the international attention to these three individuals will have a positive impact on all the innocents wrongly and illegally detained by the Iranian state. Elizabeth Morrissey Rose Jennings Anonymous Erin Proudfoot: Please - allow Shane, Sarah, and Josh to come home. Thank you so much. Peta Chow Debbie Daehnick pankaj shah Dixie Friedrich Lindsay Hicks Norah Kennedy: I urge the Iranian Governmant to show compassion and release these young people Alicia McReynolds Christine Mattern: One year is one year to long. Free the hikers! Steven Hawkes Carole Maslowski Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: Releasing these people would be a compassionate and generous gesture. Helen Bohan Anonymous Gabrielle Crane Jim Porter Dieter Osti Aaron Schlosser: My heart goes out the those in captivity, and their families...I hope this unnecessary imprisonment is put to an end as soon as possible. Robert J Richardson Anonymous cecilia mottola Anonymous: as Iranian live in united state i hope with all my heart your kids free soon. and also all Iranian people . we all know how eval is Iranian government . i would like to ask all Iranian live in us to support this petition. thats the smallest thing we can do to thank america allowed t us we enjoy the freedom here Mike Perry: Please release Sarah, Shane, and Josh. They have done nothing wrong and deserve their freedom. Misty Herlehy Daron Dr. CP Wren: Whoever is influencing the Iranian government to act differently toward Sarah, Shane and Josh than Iran has treated other transgressors of the country's borders in recent years should be made known to the public. Iran released all previously captured persons from several other countries in very short order. Who wants "The Hikers" to be held without charges and indefinitely? And why? Chase R. Martin: Please release these three innocent hikers. They did not intentionally enter your country. Please send them home to be with their families. Valentin Schmidt Louisa Preston Hiro Nishikawa Jane Hough Kiran Padaki: I hope the Iranian government will realize these people should be returned to their families as soon as possible,please free the hikers soon. Anonymous: Please free these 3 innocent hikers. It is unfair and cruel to hold them this long without cause!!! Dutch Simpson Anonymous Megan Combs Brian Long Tim Harty Mark Houghton: I hope we can get them out! Ellen Thompson: May our prayers and your prayers help everyone to express our God's path of compassion. Maureen Coyne Anonymous Mattie Clark Jane Crowley Anonymous Dermot Jordan: I am afraid for these young people. Human rights are not high on Iran's priorities. Meadhbh Higgins fiona browne JIm Butler: The most disgraceful abuses or human rights I have ever heard. I hope the Iranian regime are proud of themselves. pat codd: please free the hikers Roisin Fagan: good luck i wish you all the best and hope they are let out soon....my hart gos out to you Martin O\'Regan Pevchikh (Ireland): Please show some compassion and release these people. Monica Cogan Regina O\'Connor: From Ireland. To those who have power to free these innocent people: look into your hearts and souls and do what you know is right in the name of justice and humanity. breda jordan: Sarah and Shane are young people who are brave and generous.Please release them Paula Brodie Brita Fershleiser: I respectfully ask, please show these 3 hikers compassion. Thank you. Anonymous Lois Russell James Carr: Please let these people go home. If it was your son or daughter, your sister or brother held in such a way you too would want them free to be with their families. Conan Power: We are praying to God that justice will prevail chris darrah Christina Hogan Caryl Barday: Tragedy ! Although,i wish our people wud not choose to go to that part of the world... wait till we are all free. which will never be. spend the research and $ on The USA. we need all we can get as far as support. thx!!! love to all involved. Mark VanCour: The world is watching and awaiting your release. Anonymous: Praying for release... Lauren Reynolds Anonymous Zoe Hall: Give these people their human rights. Free them, they deserve to live a life. Przemyslaw Skoczylas: Don't know you guys but it could be anyone. Heard the story on radio here in Ireland and just couldn't forget your mom's voices. I am looking forward to hear the good news soon. heads up. Anonymous Ciara Kennedy Sarah Burns Theresa Moriarty Michael Reppy Genevieve Gieser Amy Waldron Audrey Sellers Alex Orzeck-Byrnes Norma Araujo: I believe that Shane, Sarah and Josh inadvertently entered Iran. The three were simply hiking. I ask the Iranian Government to have mercy on the three American hikers and release them. Victoria Thavaseelan: Praying for the safe and soon return of the hikers to their families. Erik Reed Anonymous enrique ibarra: Sarah,Shane and Josh. I wish for your soon release!! Bart Chapman: We stand with the hikers and their families! Anonymous Anonymous: Now that I have seen this website I realize what fine young people these three are, and I want so much to help free them, so they may continue their valuable efforts in teaching, journalism, photography, environmental studies, and simply continue their lives! Anonymous Lee Anonymous Erin K. Parr Marcus Thomas F. Rocco Eden Kahle Anonymous Sarah Elliott: Those who hike are the modern-day pioneers and explorers with a mission only of the greater good of the planet and peace between all peoples and cultures, not the conquering of countries nor the toppling of governments. Anonymous Jane Richley Rafal: I'm so shocked and disappointed that the US State Department has done nothing to gain the release of these three young people. Gaining help from the US government is something that every US citizen has a right to expect and is a duty for the Obama administration to give top priority. Shane, Sarah and Josh weren't doing anything wrong or acting in a hostile or militaristic fashion. There is no reason that after a year's imprisonment, that they should still be held in Iran. Scott Weiss Anonymous: Please release these young people. They did nothing to warrant this detention. Anonymous Anonymous Brittany Godshall Joyce Tang Karen Godshall: Thoughts & Prayers for the kids and their families. Anonymous: I urge the Iranian government to take this opportunity to show their dedication and willingness to enter into peaceful diplomacy between our two countries and to demonstrate this by taking the first step in releasing Josh, Sarah and Shane immediately. Helen Mason Anonymous Sara Dart Tiffany Merrick Anonymous: Please do not hold Americans that have been unjustly detained due to political agendas. Anonymous: Free them, please. Kerry Jones alisa Malki Anonymous Katie Barnett Clemens Ley Sarah Cash: Please have mercy and find it in your heart to forgive these three, and return them to their families. Anonymous: If they have truly done something wrong then why have there been no charges? Anonymous Anonymous Michelle Marlar Becky Little: My prayers are with them. This is not justice they should be free. Margaret Perrino Anonymous Loyda Castanon Amanda Koplos Lorin hay: it's been a year. show wisdom through mercy. please let them go. Dustin Cobb Michelle Walker Anonymous Micah San Juan Mark Gonzalez: I hope that the Iranian government can show some compassion and release these innocent human beings. Jamie Williams: Will be praying for your familys. kelly tighe Jennifer Hovick Anonymous: The Iranian government is showing their true colors by this action. I have lost any respect for them. They are brutal. What a mess that government is in. The people that run it ought to be ashamed. mb buchanan: Im so sad for the families of these hikers. May peace find you and stay with you all through this difficult time. Michael Pourhadi: Bring 'em home. Anonymous Anonymous jennifer ray: they deserve to go home to thier families, they have been imprisoned long enough!!! free the hikers!!!! Marcus Fry Anonymous: Please free the hikers. This has gone on long enough and a years worth of investigation should be enough time to see if they posed a threat. A couple kids and an adult got in over their head doing some hiking and i think they have learned their lesson about volatile regions of the world and where not to go. Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous: These actions just continue to show that Iran doesn't value the life of an individual and that the hikers are pawns in their political game. Gabriela Imperial Anonymous Jennifer Curtis Shan Davis: Let them go!!! Holding them without charges and without a trial is INHUMANE!!! Dogs are treated better!!! Ian Strong: I am 10 years old and I and my mom having been following this story for the year and I want the world to know that Sarah, Shane, and Josh should be free. Arisa Antunez Dana Strong Mary Ferguson: It is so ridiculous that these young people have been detained fo rthis long.I also think that people need to be more careful of wandering in dangerous areas! Anonymous Erica Moncrief The Valen Family Anonymous Steve Bledsoe Lisa Rajulu: We are trusting that the Iranian authorities will see fit to do right by these young persons of obvious good will. Daniel Shapiro Karla dixe Anonymous John Eleanya: Please Set them free, they are humans and not Animal Gus: FREEDOM! Doug Halterman William Taft: Lets get them outta there! Michelle Petrovski Melea Johnson: Heavenly Father, free Sarah, Shane and Josh and allow them to come home, in Jesus Name....Amen Jennifer Shoemaker Ssavvas Nicholas Paritsis DeLinda McKinney Shelley Meyer: Our thoughts are prayers are with you Shane, Sharah and Josh! Stay strong! Kimberly Freeman: Free the hikers, anyone that is not charged with a crime should not be imprisoned. Also, the Iranian and United States Goverment need to take action immediately to insure that justice is served around the world and in Iran. Anonymous Meghan Tighe Mark Bruton: I pray for the quick release of these three innocent young people from their Iran prison. Elizabeth C. Mazur Brian Crowley Brooke Jeter-Crawford: This brings me to tears. I pray for their safe return. I pray for their mental stability and encouragement during these devastating circumstances. It is such a shame that this kind of thing can happen in the world that we live in. Robert Felsenfeld: Let's restore some sanity to the world. Keeping the hostages makes no sense other than purely political propoganda. Free them now, Iran, and receive some humanitarian goodwill. Anonymous: I'm so shocked and disappointed that the US State Department has done nothing to gain the release of these three young people. Gaining help from the US government is something that every US citizen has a right to expect and is a duty for the Obama administration to give top priority. Shane, Sarah and Josh weren't doing anything wrong or acting in a hostile or militaristic fashion. There is no reason that after a year's imprisonment, that they should still be held in Iran. The American Government has to do something fast. One year is too long for these 3 innocent peolple to still be held. Their lives are in danger. Please release them. Jillian Risberg Kristin Kegg Anonymous: Please free these young people. My God is a God of compassion. Please show some toward Shane,Sarah and Josh by releasing them now. Geoff Baumbach: You are humiliating and diminishing the cause of the Iranian people by incarcerating these innocent US civilians who in no way were committing acts against Iran. We ask for their immediate release to be with their families. If you wish to send us a message, this is not the way to do it. You are only fueling belligerence and ignorance. Don't take your frustration and anger out on these young adults for the sins of others. An honest and honorable gesture will get to the heart of Americans far better than cruelty. Be honest, be honorable. Let them go. Anonymous Anonymous: Please forgive the climbers for accidentally crossing your border and show compassion on them. That would be a testament to your nation and a shining light on your culture. Billy A. Limprun Pamela Alt Mandy Phan Anonymous Anonymous Ali Parsons Kristin Barton Anonymous Melissa: Please bring them home to their families, it's the humane thing to do. T. Paul Jones, II: These three persons are proponents of cultural understanding and awareness. Their prompt release will demonstrate to the world that Iran is empathetic and committed to global peace and multicultural harmony. Kelly Franz Greg Campbell: These people meant no harm. As a act of compassion, please free them now. Carson Moore: I hope that the Iranian government can look past politics and displays of power, and have a heart of compassion to release these guys. Katherine Mott Lisa: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Jen Anderson: Please send Shane, Sarah and Josh home!!! Karen Boortz-Fryer: Prayers Dr. Burkhard Luber: show mercy. let them free now Joanne Cuevas: If in a year these three young people have not been charged with a crime they should be set free! Shani Friedman L.Fairfield Anonymous B. Murphy-Bridge Andrew Weaver Anonymous Anonymous Gene Byrge Alex Mandel Oona Coggeshall-Burr christina Kassidi Felderman Allison Snyder Anne Phillips: Live, Laugh and LOVE!!! No matter what part of the world we live or what title we carry in our business - polititian, doctor, attorney, plumber, teacher, chef,electrician, mechanic, etc.... - WE ARE all ONE in this ONE small world. There is no need to keep innocent people in capture who have not intent or done any harm to anyone. PLEASE FREE those people - they have already paid their price for their mistake. PEACE!!! Jon Vruwink Anonymous Penny Kelley: This is not right! They have no right to hold them if they have not committed a crime. These people can make a difference in the world and need to be sent back home not held like dogs for something they did not do. Nick Purvis: This country ought to be ashamed! These people did nothing wrong so they need to be sent back home where they belong! David Spencer: Hard not to be angry to be honest Randy Thiesen Ralph Risch Gwen Jett: Best wishes for the hikers and their families. Chris Kelstrom: Please show humanity and compassion for these 3 people who by accident wandered into your country. They mean you no harm. Please release them immediately. Thank You Juli Bernlohr Kiley Schaumleffel Anonymous Anonymous: terrible situation.. please send them home. Anonymous: Should be released as soon as possible by Iran! Anne Banister Khalid Janmohamed Justin Brown: A year later and no charges or trial date set...this is ridiculous! They should be set free Robert Lewis Ambrose: Show the world a compassionate side of the Islamic State of Iran...free these three extraordinary young people. Anonymous Dorothy Conlon: Please release the innocent hikers. Anonymous David: Release them, they have done nothing wrong. Why waste peoples lives for nothing. Ryan Thomason Catherine Syrbe: Please do the right thing and let them go home to their families. Angela Spring: Hugs from Texas. You will be free soon. Don't let them beat you down in spirit...stay strong. You are all three heroes in my book. David Michael Murphy, M.D.: A nation that desires to assume the responsibility of possessing nuclear power would be wise to demonstrate to the world that it adheres to compassionate and humane principles. Anonymous Laura Levine joe kern: Frre them already Anonymous Lisa Shinkawa Anonymous: it is time to let those kids go home to their families. Daniel Tal Erin Hyken Jennifer Seidman Kris Amundson Anonymous Norm Chastain: There is no justification to use a fellow creature, created in love by Him who creates all, for a selfish indulgence of earthly power. Our actions speak to what we truly believe. These captors believe they are the true power. How disillusioned are the leaders of the poor Iranian people. When I leave their country I will shake the dust from my shoes. Jessica McGinnis: My heart and thoughts are with the hikers and the families. Stay strong. Emily Mei Li Kow Falcone Myriam Hummer David Kurklis: Please release these innocent people Anonymous Anonymous: Please let them go. They have committed no crime!!!!!! Anonymous Anonymous Lisa Jarvinen Sagan Bachtold Avi Castillo MaryBeth Yildirim Scott Cooney: Amazing...a year. It's time to end the rhetoric and the verbal exchanges and do the right thing. Anonymous Siobhan Laulu Beth Darby BECKY HUGHES Frankie Jackson: Please release them. They belong home with their families. Lois Binetsky: There is nothing for the Iranian government to gain and everything to lose by imprisoning these three innocents. I pray for their release. Carolyn Whitney: What is the matter with the Government of Iran that it cannot discern between an accident and espionage? Free these innocent hikers. The borders of Iran were not marked. Does Iran have no heart for these fine young people and their devastated families? These hikers did not commit any crime. Send them home. Is there any mercy or understanding of basic humanity in Iran? Daniel: Please show proper and fair judgement to your fellow human beings, who are more than "Americans". Teresa Sanders Betsy Smith: Please allow these people to come home. Anonymous Anonymous Michelle Jordan: Free the innocent! Christy john lee wilson: What are they trying to accomplished by imprisoning innocent people? My best hopes and wishes to Josh , Sarah and Shane and there family's.. Dorie LaRue Anonymous: I am praying!! Leah Ashley: From an American living in Turkey. Please release them. Homar Ruiz Tarin Currier Linda Magoon: Please release them. Show them compassion, they have been in prison for year. They have done nothing wrong. Anonymous Jane Butler: Please have mercy and send these young people home. PATRICIA HUGHES i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america,and to the republic,for which it sta: RIGHT YOUR WRONG IRAN. Jeffrey Sider Eric Rasmussen Valerie Wade Anonymous: "Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere."-MLK Jr. Thinh Nguyen: Please free these people, they don't deserve to be in prison because they are innocent. Thank you. Sincerely, Thinh Nguyen Gregory John: Accusing three young hikers of espionage only makes your country look foolish and stubborn. Please show some sensibility and compassion. Kyle Lee: The Iran government is treating Josh, Sarah, and Shane as bargaining chips. Are they trying to make go down that low? We all pray for your release. I thought we lived in the 21st century but I guess the 1990s still made their mark... Anonymous: Please--imagine these were your sister, your brothers. Please release them. Damon Marrs Rebecca Thacker Anonymous Anonymous Tom O\'Leary Terry Benedict DISC GOLF Revolution: Please release these two young men so they can return to their life, whereever they may live. Iran, we/I would not detain you if you were found hiking near our borders. I would like to take the place of one of these two hikers! Katherine Vondy: Please send these poor young people home. Keeping Ms. Shourd in solitary confinement is cruel and inhumane. At least allow her to interact with other people. Janet Norem Lindsey Migliori: lives are being wasted for what? to prove a point? to teach a lesson? foolishness. Anonymous Emily Lanning: May they return home safe. SOON Anonymous: Please Free Shane, Sarah, and Josh and allow them to return to us. David Switzer: FREE THEM IRAN!!! Mark Pegg James D Mulroy: Enough is Enough! Free the hikers! Kari Greene Anonymous: Please have some compassion Iran and free them now. Alex Wong Julie A. Phillips, Ph.D. Theresa Wirth: Free the innocent!!! Marcus Gates: please-please be reasonable!! IRAN should be able proof it's fairness to the World!! Jason Griesse Anonymous Susan Corrado Jane Grey Brendan James Anonymous Teal Lundy Larissa Reardon Anonymous Joanthan Cole: As a traveler myself, this is my worst fear; unknowingly being in the wrong place. Please release the hikers, do what your heart knows is the right thing. Love to all. Matthew Colon: The U.S. Government needs to do more in this matter. Iran has not satisfied valid questions. This is very wrong. We need to speak louder! Now is the time for Presidential Power. Anonymous: praying for Sarah, Shane & Josh to be home with their families. Like in Iran, they too have a strong belief in family unity. Let them go home. Terese Pipitone Carol Hale: Please free Shane, Sarah, and Josh. The world will know of your goodness if you do. Anonymous: Why was the Belgian released in three months? If we were at war, would Sarah get better treatment? Anonymous: Please let the hikers go. This was not an intentional border crossing, this was an accident. If your children were to accidentally stray into the wrong area you would want them to be treated in a just and fair manner. Treat them as you would treat your children in the same situation. In my heart I believe that Iran will do the right thing. Jennifer Mundie Ben Mullen: Please release our friends Jeff: I hope they get released. However, they showed a shocking lack of common sense in going into a region so dangerous, and so close to a country hostile to the USA. I hope that when they do get released they show a little more intellect in the future. Raoul Bos Anthea Liontos: You are all in my prayers xo S.Matt Read: Illegal border crossings are a global problem; that isn't in dispute. However, please try to see that these three people are not part of this phenomenon and do not represent any attempts to disrespect the law of Iran. Christina Colon: Please let them come home. Anonymous: I am praying for them. Julia Holbrook: Please ease the fear and worries of these poor families missing their children. Allow Shane, Sarah and Josh to return to the United States as they meant no harm to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Bruce Roberts Holly Law Colleen McClorey: Show compassion and free these innocent individuals. Christina Howson: Releasing these three young adults would be a step in the right direction for your country! Please think of the possibilities that could come from their release. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. Anonymous Anonymous Wes Markegard Ginger Smeed Lee Ramsey Jeff Kelleher April Picon Audrey Zgraggen Richard Kinsey: Please stop using these 3 people as political pawns. Alberto Zatarain: .لااله الا اللهرجاء, لا والله ما هم الأكثر حنانا, رحيما. ومثلما أجدادنا Abbye Eisenthal mary oconnor Anonymous Carly Katz Francisco Lara Nancy Gittleman: I pray for the hikers release and their families Jason C: Seriously Iran, what are you going for here? Your leadership is riding the fine line of sanity and when you behave like this we have no choice btt to come for you. Sleep tight. Brenda Roberts: This is completely unecessary. The peace-loving people of Iran deserve a government that actually reflects their generosity and hospitality. Anonymous Susan Nelson liz dominguez Yelena: Be brave. Trudy Baltazar Nora Jacobson Sarah Recktenwall-Work Melissa Byroade D. Mendelson Crystal Lira dorsie hecht: Holding innocents does not make a worthy international policy. m webb brenda westmoreland: I wrote the Iran President I pray you get your children back I am a mother too so my heart goes out to you Never quit Hve faith Believe in God He has the power to help you A Todd: Iran, stop playing political games and release these kids. They have had nothing to do with US/Iranian relations, you're just being hateful and cruel. President Obama needs to DO something about this and stop ignoring it! Anita Hayward-Vose: I feel so bad and am hoping that Shane,Sarah, and Josh get home safely ASAP..This is just so wrong what is being done to them. I send thoughts and prayers for thier release .... Alexis Miller Gibbore: Sarah, Shane and Josh are innocent young people who deserve their freedom to live their lives. They are in our daily prayers, as are their parents and other loved ones. Geert Bekaert William Whiting jennifer golle: It is anger I feel that Iran is holding these kids so I will keep my words to myself since it appears a diplomatic attempt is being made at negotiations for release. I think the US Gov. should be DEMANDING and not taking "no" for an answer. Sneaky Jew: No war with Iran. NO MORE WARS FOR ISRAEL!! Vicki Nosanov-Goldman Chris Westling Dany: We will remember u in our prayers.....Dont give up hope..... Anonymous Shea Roggio Wayne Waggoner: Shane,Sarah and Josh should be released immediately,they have done nothing wrong to Iran or it's citizens, and are simple being used as pawns by the Imam and the Iranian government, therefore I ask the Government of Iran to release these innocent, peace loving people before you do any further damage to your country,your religon and most importantly, the honor of the Iranian people. Anonymous Christy Milliken Sergio Doré elias marrero jr: god bless you all.... Amy Cookson Michelle Baker
Thank you!

Petition to Free the Hikers: 14042

Time in Detainment:
365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes