SABEW Echoes Support for Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich on Solemn Anniversary

On March 29, SABEW will mark a solemn milestone, the one-year anniversary of the unlawful detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who remains in a Moscow prison.

SABEW calls on Russian authorities for the unconditional release of Gershkovich, an accredited journalist who has not been presented with evidence that he committed a crime.

Evan’s parents attended the State of the Union address as guest of House Speaker Mike Johnson and heard President Joe Biden call for their son’s release.

SABEW notes the following solidarity events provided by the Wall Street Journal:

1. The Radio Television Digital News Association is honoring Evan at their 2024 First Amendment Awards. The foundation said “Gershkovich is a gifted journalist who has reported extensively on Russia, illuminating developments on the ground at a crucial time.” WSJ Assistant Editor Paul Beckett will be accepting the award on Evan’s behalf.
2. The Journal and other groups are supporting a March 27 global Run for Evan to raise awareness of the anniversary. These events are open to members of the public so please share with your networks. Detailed event pages are available for: London, New York and Singapore.
3. A global “Swim for Evan” will take place on Saturday, March 23. The swim brings together supporters of Evan swimming at different Brighton-named beaches in New York, California, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa , Canada and New Zealand, in a nod to Evan’s affinity for Brighton Beach in Brooklyn and on England’s south coast.
4. The Journal’s New York newsroom is hosting a 24-hour read-a-thon for Evan from 12 p.m. on March 27, to 12 p.m. Eastern Time, on March 28. Colleagues, friends and loved ones will gather in NY to read from Evan’s work, while London will bridge the overnight gap. If you’d like to participate in person, please email IStandWithEvan@wsj.com.

SABEW calls on its members, supporters and friends to proudly display “Free Evan” or “I Stand With Evan” buttons on March 29 and to remind the public of this sad anniversary on their social media handles.

SABEW recognizes that with its leadership, members, the journalism community at large and beyond, we are all stronger in numbers while advocating for press freedom and other precious rights.