The families will not remain silent anymore

The families of Euna Lee and Laura Ling have decided to speak out about the two journalists’ detention in Pyongyang. The two women have been held since March 17. In a Facebook announcement (SEE HERE FOR LIST OF NEXT VIGILS IN A CITY NEAR YOU, the families told supporters: "Our families have been very quiet because of the extreme sensitivity of the situation, but given the fact that our girls are in the midst of a global nuclear stand-off, we cannot wait any longer."

Although family members have attended some of the many grassroots support demonstrations and candlelight vigils, they have generally followed a disciplined silence. Current TV, for whom Lee and Ling were reporting, has come under criticism for not reporting the story on its Web site. Former Vice President Al Gore, a partner in the news outlet, has been deeply involved in working with the State Department to get the women released. The tactic: The less said publicly the better. There is the obvious fear of antagonizing Pyongyang by interfering with what are always sensitive interactions with the country’s leadership.

The families’ decision to speak out has been a long time coming and they did not reach it easily, but it is being executed deftly. The families say they have scheduled appearances on NBC and CNN on Monday; CNN’s Larry King is already promoting it. The families say they’re looking to influence both North Korea and the United States to work for the release of the two journalists.

According to the family and the Swedish Mission at the United Nations, which has worked as an intermediary, Lee and Ling are being kept separately in what seems to be a government guest house or possibly a hotel outside of Pyongyang. They have been able to make a limited number of phone calls home–which can be interpreted as a good sign, although the calls are definitely monitored–and they say they are not being physically abused. But they are isolated and aware they are caught in a power struggle that has been going on for more than five decades on the Korean Peninsula.

Source Community to Protect Journalists

Laura managed to get a letter to her sister Lisa Ling. Here is an excerpt:

Journalist Lisa Ling, Laura’s sister received one letter from Laura, dated May 15, 2009. Below are excerpts from Laura’s letter, read by her cousin Angie Wang, at the vigil.

When I first got here, I cried so much. Now, I cry less. I try very hard to think about positive things, but sometimes it is hard too. Some days I get to go outside and get some fresh air. In the early evening, I do some stretching. I also sit and meditate. I breathe deeply and think about positive things that have happened in the day. For example, I think “I’m lucky I made it through another day.” I’m lucky my family is working so hard to get me released. I’m thinking about you all constantly and how fortunate I am to have an amazing family. Stay strong and please take care of yourselves. That is my request. Know that I’m thinking of you and dreaming about being reunited with you all again.

Laura

Schedule of appearances of Lisa Ling:
Monday June 1st.

The Today Show (NBC)
the 7AM block on Monday morning.

Larry King show (CNN)
9pm (EST) l 6pm (PST)

Please tune in and hear from Lisa Ling.