Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "euna lee"

Friends of Laura Ling share their experiences

2009-08-10T09:00:56Z

The Sacramento Press has followed the timeline of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee since their detainment in North Korea, covering some of the vigils that took place in Sacramento.

Ling was born and raised in Carmichael and her ties to the Sacramento community brought enormous support for the two women throughout their ordeal.

Following Bill Clinton's visit with Kim Jong Il, Ling and Lee were pardoned and allowed to return home. The Sacramento Press interviewed two of Ling's friends to hear what it was like for them during Ling's absence.

Cheryll Marsh and Stephanie Tomasegovich met Ling in seventh grade at Barrett Middle School in Carmichael. Marsh met Ling through the school's drill team and Tomasegovich met Ling because of their shared love of New Kids on the Block.

Friendships made in middle school proved to be instrumental in the campaign and efforts to get Ling and Lee back home safely.

On March 17, when Ling and Lee were arrested on charges of spying and illegal entry into North Korea, both Marsh and Tomasegovich heard the shocking news while at work. Tomasegovich came across the story via the Internet and Marsh's mother called her on the phone.

“I was in complete shock, in disbelief,” Marsh said. Her first thought was, “How do we get her out?”

“I didn’t believe the severity of it,” Tomasegovich said.

“I was going to do something," Marsh said. "I wasn't going to just sit around.”

Tomasegovich sent a letter to Michelle Obama appealing to her as a mother, since Lee is also a mother of a girl.

Marsh sent letters to officials in North Korea and to President Barack Obama pleading for the release of the two journalists. Both women sent numerous postcards to Ling, and Marsh wrote emails to Ling even though she knew she wasn’t able to read them.

One of her emails read, “I’m thinking about you. I think about you every single day.”

Both Marsh and Tomasegovich were put under the media spotlight because of their friendships with Ling. The two spoke on radio programs and at the vigils in Sacramento.

Tomasegovich was not a fan of all the media attention. “I did not like it," she said. "I was unprepared, [but] I did it for Laura.”

Tomasegovich made bracelets similar to the Live Strong bracelets. She passed out the baby blue bracelets that said “Keep Hope Alive” to everyone she knew and sent them to Lisa Ling, Laura's sister, in L.A.

For Tomasegovich, the most difficult part was a feeling of helplessness. She said she hated not being able to help Ling and wondering what her family was feeling every minute of the day. She also felt guilty about having her life continue to go on knowing what Ling was going through.

Marsh said the most difficult part of Ling being away was not knowing anything, especially at the beginning. She admitted it was very discouraging because no one knew what to do.

"The turning point [was] when I met with an old friend of the Ling [family], a friend of Laura's and Lisa's mom at a cafe in San Francisco," she said. "I had a new sense of purpose. [I thought to myself] stop being sad, there needs to be action!"

On Aug. 4, the news of Ling and Lee's release reached the two friends.

Marsh described her reaction as “the most amazing feeling.” She said that their release was “a dream that I kept on playing in my head,” and her heart lifted when the dream became a reality.

Tomasegovich was in the midst of a trial as a juror. She received the news from her brother while on her lunch break. She yelled out to the jury, “You guys, she’s coming home!”

She also made it a point to tell the judge presiding over the trial. “The judge announced it to the court and everyone cheered,” Tomasegovich said.

Both friends agreed that the media played a huge role in keeping the Ling and Lee story on the public’s mind and in bringing them home.

“As much as people hate the media, the more they were annoying, the better it was for them,” Tomasegovich said.

Tomasegovich recently lost her job and her sister-in-law pointed out that everything happens for a reason. Had she been employed full-time, she might not have been able to appear on TV and speak on the radio.

In a Facebook message, her sister-in-law said, “Life needed you and you were there.”

Both women have been celebrating the safe return of their long-time friend, but neither have spoken to or seen Ling since her return.

“She needs her privacy,” Marsh said.

“She’ll give me a call when she’s ready," Tomasegovich said.

Supporters of Ling and Lee Plead for Amnesty

2009-07-10T08:51:14Z

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."

12 Year Sentence Spurs Sacramento Vigil

2009-07-08T04:11:18Z

On June 8, American Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced to 12-years of "labor reform" by North Korea. This Thursday a candlelight vigil will be held on the Capitol west steps in peaceful protest.

On April 27 a vigil was held for Laura Ling and Euna Lee to raise awareness for the two journalists' detainment in North Korea. This time it is in support of the two women who face the notoriously harsh conditions of North Korea's labor camps.

The two American journalists were on assignment for Current TV, a cable and web network co-founded by Al Gore, when they were detained on March 17 and convicted of illegal entry and engaging in "hostile acts" after a four-day trial North Korea's high court.

In a letter invitation to the vigil, Ling's sister, a CNN correspondent and Sacramento native, Lisa Ling, voices her concerns about the women's condition in North Korea.

"What Laura and Euna were trying to do was give a voice to those who have none," writes Ling. "Now their voices have also been silenced. Since their detention, their health has deteriorated quite a bit, we are extremely concerned. We are making a plea for mercy with the hope that they may be released on humanitarian grounds."

Community figures such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California State President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Mayor Kevin Johnson, "Good Day Sacramento" host Mark S. Allen as well as many other organizations and media are expected to be in attendance. Lee and Ling's sentence has the United States in nationwide protest and vigils will be held in other cities such as Phoenix, San Francisco, Birmingham and Washington, D.C.

Support the Ling family on Thursday evening at the Capitol's West Steps.

WHO: Lisa Ling, the Ling Family, friends and community of Sacramento

WHAT: A community gathering in support of Laura Ling and Euna Lee

TIME: 6:30 to 8 p.m.

WHERE: California State Capitol west steps (10th St. between L and N streets

What's happening at the Capitol: July 9

2009-07-07T22:52:10Z

Thursday, July 9

11:45 a.m.- 4 p.m. California Association for Micro-enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) will be holding a legislative day near the north steps of the Capitol. It will include lunch with legislators under a tent and a presentation by Senator Leland Yee. About 40 people are expected.

5:30- 9 p.m. A gathering in support for Laura Ling and Euna Lee will be held on the west steps of the Capitol. About 100 participants are expected including Lisa Ling and her family, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Senate President pro Tem Darrel Steinberg and Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Supporters demand clemency for Ling & Lee at Capitol

2009-06-04T06:38:20Z

At least 100 people participated in a Sacramento demonstration Wednesday evening for the clemency of Current TV journalist, Euna Lee, and producer Laura Ling, detained in North Korea. The two women, originally from Sacramento and graduates of Del Campo high school, were scheduled to stand trial Wednesday (Thursday, June 4 in North Korea) for illegally crossing the DPRK border and other "hostile acts."

The participants — family members, friends and supporters of the women, some bearing signs demanding their release — gathered at the L Wine Lounge and Urban Restaurant in Midtown Sacramento, and proceeded with a walk to the Capitol west steps.

Upon arrival at the Capitol, participants were asked to engage in a moment of silence. Statements were made in support of Lee and Ling by Mayor Kevin Johnson, Jerry Wang, a family member of Laura Ling, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), Senator Robert "Bob" Huff (R-Diamond Bar) and former Del Campo students Beth Deibels and Marcus Marquez.

Among those in the crowd was teacher Jim Jordan, who taught Ling at Del Campo in his honors junior English class in 1992-93.

"She's one of my [former] students, a fellow journalist, a member of our community [and] a member of my school community, and we just want to support her and Euna and their families in any way that we can," Jordan said.

Wang made a statement of behalf of the Ling and Lee families expressing gratitude for the public support of the two women.

"Our families have been comforted by the unexpected and overwhelming support for Laura and Euna," Wang said. "We would like to thank all of those individuals who are organizing to secure the release of the girls."

Although she does not know Ling or Lee personally, Deibels explained that having attended the same school as the women, "We can't help but feel connected to them."

The vigil was arranged Monday morning by Deibels and Marquez when they realized a vigil in Sacramento had not yet been arranged in recognition of the womens' trial.

"There were other vigils [scheduled] across the country ... and we wanted to make sure Laura's hometown didn't fall off of the map," Diebels said. "Facebook is how it started, believe it or not."

Diebels and Marquez posted the event and sent initial invitations through the online social network.

Other vigils were listed to simultaneously take place in Birmingham, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

To read more about the first Sacramento vigil for the two women, see Lee & Ling vigil.

Vigil for local journalist, colleague detained in North Korea

2009-04-28T05:01:42Z

Imagine having family a member detained against her will in a foreign country for six weeks. That is what is happening to the families of Laura Ling, Sacramento native and Current TV reporter, and Current TV editor Euna Lee, who were both arrested by North Korean officials on March 21.

Sacramento's residents and the journalists' supporters are being asked to attend a candlelight vigil at Del Campo High School from 7 to 8 p.m. The vigil is being organized in part by Brendon McShane Creamer, creator of a Facebook group dedicated to Ling and Lee, and in part by Del Campo staff, including English teacher Jim Jordan, who was Ling's honors English teacher during her junior year in Del Campo.

The goal of the vigil is to raise awareness of the journalists' situation.

Deepak and Gotham Chopra, close family friends of the Lings, wrote in an Intent.com blog that Laura Ling and Euna Lee were detained while reporting on a story near the Chinese-North Korean border. Though they are reportedly being held in a governmental guest house, there are also reports that they will soon be tried for very serious crimes which include allegedly crossing the border illegally, and espionage.

"It was just over seven years ago that former President George W. Bush identified North Korea infamously as a member of his ‘axis of evil.’ Whether or not that was fair to begin with, today -- depending on how North Korea proceeds with Laura Ling and Euna Lee -- they now have a chance to shed the ugly stigma of that label," wrote the Chopras.

"Most people don't know that two American journalists have been held for six weeks in North Korea. We have no idea what is happening behind the scenes, but we want our government officials to negotiate for their release," said Jordan.

Laura Ling and her older sister Lisa Ling both participated in Del Campo's newspaper, and were both high school journalists. Lisa Ling is a well known reporter who is perhaps most famous for being a host on The View, numerous CNN appearances, and her investigative reporting for The Oprah Winfrey Show.

In a message on the vigil's Facebook page, Lisa Ling said that she was not attending the vigil and she asked for people to "please understand that due to the extreme sensitivity of the case, it is vital for our families to stay quiet. Please know however, that when you are out there holding those candles, that we are there with you with fires lit in our hearts."

Sacramento's vigil was originally planned in conjunction with another outside the Current TV offices in San Francisco, but both have been consolidated to the Del Campo location due to the proximity of the Current TV offices to tomorrow's Giants-Dodgers game at AT&T Park.

According to Creamer, 2,000 people are expected, mostly the 1900 students of Del Campo, but also faculty, alumni, and the family and friends of the two women. He also said Mayor Kevin Johnson's Chief of Staff Kunal Merchant will try to be there.

Currently, Creamer’s Facebook group has 2700 people, but it is growing rapidly. Creamer mentioned that "there will be [a vigil] in San Francisco if needed. It's creating its own momentum right now."

"There are vigils going on around the world," said Creamer. "There are vigils going on in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America from what I've heard."

In addition to attending the vigil, "people need to write their legislators and people in Washington as well as the media, to help keep it in the public eye. These are true journalists telling hard stories, and they are telling dangerous stories, and we need to support them," said Jordan.

Del Campo High School is located at 4925 Dewey Drive in Fair Oaks.

*Images courtesy Facebook Group 'Detained In North Korea : Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, please help.'