The goal of the vigil held to protest Laura Ling’s and Euna Lee’s 12-year labor reform sentence was clear: bring them home.

The vigil commenced at 6:30 p.m. where approximately 400 of Ling's and Lee’s friends, family and community members banded together on the Capitol West Steps in support of the two American journalists who are charged by North Korea's high court for illegal entry and engaging in "hostile acts."

Supporters donned “Free Lisa and Euna” buttons and pinned yellow ribbons to their shirts. Many held signs with pictures of the women’s faces and pleas that said “Free Laura and Euna” and “Amnesty Now.”

The vigil was opened with a prayer by Laura Ling’s cousin, Brandon Yip. Following the prayer, Yip played an acoustic guitar and sang the song “Amazing Grace.”

News 10’s Sharon Ito introduced each speaker before they approached the podium. Amoung the speakers was California State President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

"They are two professional American journalists. They had good intentions. It is essential that we ask our federal governemnet to ask for anmesty and mercy," said Steinberg. "Let us gather here again, on the west steps of the capitol, very soon, and in addition to all of us, let's celebrate with Laura and Euna standing right next to us!"

Other speeches were made by Linda Ng of Orgaization of Chinese-Americans, Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, friends and classmates of Ling, Ling's husband Ian Clayton and sister Lisa Ling. 

Ling told the crowd that she and Clayton had recieved a phone call from her sister on Tuesday. Laura told them that she had violated the law in North Korea, and the only hope for her and Lee's return is if the government asks North Korea for amnesty.

"That's why we are out here tonight; to ask for amnesty, but to also ask for forgivness," said Ling. "The notion of forgiveness is something that we could all use a little bit more of in our lives."

A journalist from Sactown magazine offered brief anecdotes about Lee as told to her by Lee's husband. She reminded the crowd that this situation is not just a global one, but a personal one as well.

Joan Burke, Director of Advocacy for Loaves and Fishes, also commented on the personalized aspect of Ling's and Lee's detainment in North Korea.

"I think all of us can identify with just how frightened and powerless the families of these two young women must feel to have loved ones imprisoned, incommunicado and serving 12 years at hard labor on the other side of the world," said Burke. "By our presence at the vigil, we hope to surround these families with a caring community that has not forgotten its own in their time of need."

The vigil reached its close with a final prayer, and Yip, together with Ling's and Lee's 400-plus supporters, singing "One Love."