Duluth, MINN. -----It's been one year since three U–S hikers were arrested for allegedly crossing the Iraq border and straying into Iran.
Protests and marches were held around the world today in an effort to get Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal released from Iran's control, where they have been locked up for one year.
Wearing "Free the Hikers" shirts and marching with friends, family and representatives from state and local government, dozens hit Duluth's Lakewalk in an effort to free the three detained Americans.
Mayor Don Ness and Senator Al Franken were among those vying for their release.
"This is marking a year now, of a very unhappy anniversary," Franken said.
The families of the hikers have launched a media campaign to draw attention to their incarcerated children.
Formal charges have not been made against the hikers, yet they still remain in a Tehran prison accused of spying.
The hikers mothers were briefly allowed to visit their children last May, and that is the only time the hikers have been able to see their family.
Nicole Lindstrom of Duluth is Shane Bauer's sister. She spends her days answering e–mails and conference calls, making sure that everyone's letters to the three get sent off.
"All three moms let them know they are not forgotten," Lindstrom said.
"They said they were strong, and they are keeping each other strong."
Though this tragedy has consumed her day to day life, Nicole says she can't imagine how much worse it is on the other end.
"I can't really complain, I can go outside when I need to get a way from it, Shane Sara and Josh are sitting in a cell 24 hours a day," she said.
The families insist if the hikers crossed the border from Iraq into Iran it was by accident.
"It's hard to figure out what's going on in Iran, we know that, we just hope they do the right thing, the humanitarian thing and release them," Franken said.
Senator Amy Klobuchar joined a similar rally in Saint Paul today...calling for the immediate release of the three Americans.
The hope is to bring about awareness, and to not forget, and most importantly, to have the three finally freed to go home.
Rewritten and Posted to the Web By: Jennifer Walch
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