Freed American Hikers Once Held in Iran Join ‘Occupy Oakland’
- Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:52am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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The three American hikers who were held recently (some for over two years) in Iran on charges of espionage are the latest to come out in support of the Occupy Wall St. movement. But they didn’t just come out in support, they attended a rally in Oakland.
Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd spoke Monday at the Occupy Oakland encampment, making it clear that they stand in solidarity with the movement and the protesters.
The Associated Press has the video:
The Oakland Tribune has some quotes from the trio:
Shourd told the Occupy Oakland crowd that the trio connects with the suffering of millions “who don’t have enough to eat, who don‘t have enough money or jobs and don’t enjoy the liberties which they deserve.”
“Once that is taken from you,” she told the crowd of about 300 people gathered at the 100-tent encampment in Frank Ogawa Plaza, “you never forget it again.”
The appearance by Bauer, Fattal and Shourd was the second infusion of star power to the loose-knit Oakland group. On Saturday, activist actor Danny Glover joined a march to City Hall calling for economic justice.
The three freed hikers said the movement resonated with them. “This is amazing to see our country coming back to life and our city coming together. This is a wonderful homecoming,” said Bauer, a freelance journalist from Minnesota. “This is the perfect place to celebrate our freedom. I feel the city is part of my heart and I can’t tell you how important this feels.”
“So anything Shane, Josh and I can do to lend our support or our voices to people who don’t have a voice is a privilege,” Shourd added.
All three hikers were freed after a combined $1.5 million dollars was paid to bail them out.
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Comments (335)
Cuttimer101
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:13amShameful
Report Post »AWAKENEDAWARE
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:32amAgreed. Wow, great parenting on the part of the generation that generated these freaks. At least they are PROVING that they weren’t spies for the USA on Iran. Heck, they probably would have spied for Iran when they came home with Stockholm’s … oh wait … ARE THEY ? … no, no way (BWAHAHAHA)
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:35amGlenn Beck needs to WAKE THE HECK UP and endorse Ron Paul. Dr. Paul is the ONLY candidate that agrees with Beck about the dangers of the “new world order.” No other candidate dares speak against it, because they are backed and paid for by the same. That’s why the media tries to block Dr. Paul’s message.
Report Post »Short movie includes Beck, Paul and many others http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Xrob0u1nI
Dustyluv
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:36amAnd someone spent a million dollars to get them out…How dumb are they?
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:46amWow, I didn’t see this coming from these guys patriotic, America-loving people!
I mean, it’s not like these dopes thanked Hugo Chavez, Sean Penn, Noam Chomsky, Cat Stephens and Cindy Sheehan for “helping” free them or anything.
Wait.
What?
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:46amI thought they were idiots for choosing to go ‘hiking’ over there in the first place. Now their idiocy is confirmed.
Report Post »Fly Old Glory 24/7 365
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:47am“star power” These ppl are idiots and lucky to be alive. I vote we send em back to Iran since they want to see the US become like that. What world are we living in?
Report Post »simplicimuss
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:51amThese guys should lead a march to Occupy Teheran !
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:13amAh, just more of their stellar good judgment. Sure hope no tax money went to free these idiots whom I read “didn‘t like America’s Iranian policies.” So they thought they’d just have a free pass to hike near Iran ? Idiots of the first degree. Apparently Occupying an Iranian jail cell hasn’t taught them much…
Report Post »evilhatemonger
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:34amStellar good judgement…LOL.
Report Post »Maybe their next hike could be through Tijuana.
StillMissingReagan
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:08amI read the day they were released that the three were America and Isreali haters who lived in Syria, one worked for Al Jazeera… not sure of the truth of the matter, but now suspect it is correct..
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:12amApparently they learned absolutely nothing about life while they we’re held. Embracing those who would have supported the muslims over their release. Poor misguided fools.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:13am… I could tell the first time I saw pictures of them that they were Liberal Marxist twerps … comon, this shouldn’t surprise anybody here. These are ‘no nothing useful idiots.’ Nothing else to see here. Move along, move along …
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:17amsend them back to Iran, and let them protest there. Like look like a couple of queer libs anyways
Report Post »atechgeek
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:23amGood Lord .. We saved these a$$ Clowns ?
Report Post »BIZ60
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:28amWhoever paid their way out should demand the money back.
Report Post »ACLUHater
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:30amI hate to wish harm on stupid people – but these jokers are an exception.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:34am.
Report Post »I just hope that no tax dollars of mine were used to buy their freedom.
I thought they WERE spies, why else would you be walking there?
Now it appears they were just stupid.
the_zazzy
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:48amSend them back to Iran…where they can enjoy true freedom!!
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:58amI agree barber2, another thing about it is: WHO CARES? I know that I couldn’t care less about what they think when they showed stupidity previously in hiking in Iran (unless it was all a put on and they were they as actual guests of Iran. Perhaps they were there getting their “marching orders” from Ahmadinejad personally.
Report Post »48
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:12pmI never really thought these three were spies but I did think they were idiots, now I’m sure.
Report Post »DonRow
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:25pmhmmm thats funny I was thinking Juarez :) LOL..
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:29pmYes because we should all put credence in the endorsements of three lefty college students who thought it was a great idea to go to Iraq and wander into Iran, get captured and have the U.S. government expend diplomatic capital on their release. And lo and behold, they’re praising more lefty college students causing problems for the government. Someone just vomit on these idiots..please.
Report Post »AnnaK117
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:37pmi know what you mean, 3 berkeley grads ‘hiking’ near the iranian border? it‘s just stupid if they’re truly a bunch of ‘students’ taking a hike, but I‘m thinking they had a reason to get in there and didn’t expect to be caught! they may‘ve had a role defined by an entity in the US needing these three ’students’ to be in iran—as for who payed the bail…..i‘m guessing a branch of the dep’t of defense.
Report Post »theonefromabove
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:45pmHope they are kidnapped again.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »Fitz Gerald
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:53pmThey can use my tax dollars to send them back to Iran!
Report Post »lillycatoscar
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 1:03pmWhat is this country coming to? These 3 people, who know what it is like to see, how people are treated in Socialistic countries, are now supporting the exact kind of government. This country spent 1.5 million dollars for their freedom, (remember they are only out on bail, and could, go back to prision should they go back to Iran), and they come back to America and start talking how bad America is? I think, that we should have left them where they were, it seems, that they prefer that lifestyle better than America.
Report Post »valarie
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 1:39pmYou beat me to that remark. These are the rocket scientists “occupying” our cities in the tens of….um…tens!
Report Post »Sharlene
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 2:31pmIs it possible 2 years wasn’t long enough ?
Report Post »an irishgal
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 2:39pmI am not surprised…the ignorant communist all look the same…they are greenie looking to quick to point the fingers at America…this is probably why they let them go…because they knew there were communsit…What a joke…if they had been Americans being tortured…they would be kissing the ground they walk on and the US Constitution…but they are not! Throw them back…
Report Post »rightwingheroes
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 3:20pm“Once that is taken from you,”
What was taken from them? Every single American has the same exact chance to become successful. Nothing is taken from anyone. If it is then it is probably your own fault.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:07pmI have always said they foolish and lacked intelligience for hiking in that area and this only proves my thoughts were correct.
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:14pmSo…. did Danny boy share HIS wealth with the crowds? Of course not.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:28pmFor the first time in their lives, they are proud of the United States!
Give them 3 years and 100 lashes.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 5:02pmCatholic doctrine has the concept of “invincible ignorance” to describe those who don’t know the truth because it was never made available to them.
These three demonstrate the idea of “invincible stupidity”. Perhaps their present idiocy was part of the reason they were released: so they could be USEFUL idiots, just not useful to America.
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 6:13pmToo bad we didn’t leave them there a while longer. Apparently they didn’t grow any wisdom while they were there.
Report Post »proantisocialist
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:22pmsee even iran didnt want them!!!!!
Report Post »realjohn
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:41pmTrust fund babies. Mom and dad paid parking fine.
Report Post »They are the 1% and protesting against their families
Morred2
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:26pmBarber, agreed. As a conservative, American and Minnesotan, I have to say the ineptitude and embarrasment know no bounds. Too bad these fools were released to begin with. Send them back.
Report Post »hud
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:30pmFuture targets.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:12amWhy don’t these clowns cough up the massive amount of money that was wasted by the taxpayers, to free them from their own stupidity? They are only out on bond at the moment. We need to make sure they go back to trial so we can get our bond money back.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:23amD@mn right! Send them back. We could use the bond money back here.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:24amHey, guess the Dems were counting on their 3 votes in 2012..
Report Post »Applehead
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:47amRabbi’s meeting with Iranian President! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-r04SQ97_Q&feature=related
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:11amIs this how these “things” show their appreciation? I’m sorry but I missed it. These ????? are marching to overthrow the very government that they wanted so badly to get back to. That doesn’t sound like gratitude to me, what did I miss? Ask them if they would rather be in Iran, because if this gov. falls that’s what there likely to have and there will be know where to go to get away.
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:57amThey wanted to get back to a country where they were free to oppose the government–which is exactly what they’re doing. They must feel like so many leftist Rip van Winkles, in a good way.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:44amI wish we could ship them and every commie protestor to iran or any other stan country, uzbekistan, pakistan, afghanistan and let them enjoy the democracy of their dreams over there. I would gladly pay airfare!
Report Post »elosogrande
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:10amMaybe they were really in Iran to receive training of some sort. It appears thst they may be examples of well educated but unemployable refuse from the American educational system.
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:12amI had the thought about that training in Iran, but you beat me to it. I believe the whole ordeal with them and the hostage situation was a set up with Obama and Armedjacket. I think OWS was part of their agenda before they were part of OWS if you know what I mean.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:10amYeah, I remember the first time I’d read about Stocholm Syndrome.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:10amThey should have been left to rot in an Iranian prison!
Report Post »ares338
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:09amI think they did a better job of “Occupy Iran”.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:09amSissy little punks
Report Post »Applehead
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:10amThese are the real Jews that Christians love so dearly!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ZiVRedU-4&feature=related
Report Post »MARCH4HIM
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:39am@applehead
I wonder, why IRAN A MUSLIM EXTREMIST NATION would endorse OWS. ?
Is their a possibilty that ..
The socialist and the muslims extermist are working together.?
Is their any truth to the PHRASE.:
THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FREIND.?
when the dust settles and.. ” IF.”..THE REVOLUTIONS WINS,
will their be another Revolution between my UTOPIA and my“ FRENEMY” ?
WICH “UTOPIA” WILL BE THE VICTOR .
“SOCIALISM,MARXISM,COMMUNISM “OR ”MUSLIM EXTREMISM” ?
IF ITS NOT MY SIDE…WILL I SUBMIT TO “OUR ALLIES” BELIEFS ?
ARE “OUR ALLIES’ BELIEFS..
BETTER THAN, WHAT WE HAVE NOW ?
WILL ..“OUR ALLIES” …“KILL ME”
AFTER I SERVE MY PURPOSE.?
please.. research and see…“the soviet story” and “sharia law”..
To know and see what your future“ CHOICES”…. hold.
YOU NEED TO READ TWICE MAYBE MORE
Report Post »SO IT SINKS IN..
tweet
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:13am@Applehead
You are a sad pathetic fruit!!!!! Why do you need to show us your anti-semetic crap? Climb back up your tree and rot there!
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:08amThey should have stayed in Iran.
Report Post »conservativemom99
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:07amUseful idiots…quasi-famous…directionally impaired…
Report Post »“So anything Shane, Josh and I can do to lend our support or our voices to people who don’t have a voice is a privilege,” Shourd added.
So, the people in the Occupy movement don’t have voices, can’t vote or are somehow dumb (as in can’t speak)? So they’re felons and vocally impaired?
Duck and cover
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:07amThey were a waste of money for sure.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:18amI love watching the anti-american, astro turf, tea party get their panties in a bunch when real Americans exercise their freedoms.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:22amEn: and we love reading your insipid, brainwashed comments from Planet Bruce ! Have a nice day …
Report Post »responsibleformyactions
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:23am@encinom
“I love watching the anti-american, astro turf, tea party get their panties in a bunch when real Americans exercise their freedoms.”
you’re right, real Americans exercising their freedoms. Yet real americans also need to take responsibility for their actions. Dont expect to hike the border of Iran and have nothing happen.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:25amYo Encinom:
Report Post »Your statement is so stupid (excuse me) for being a “real” American, I don’t know where to start. I certainly realize that even if I did in your case it would be useless. So, I wasted enough time already. I don’t wear panties or “belong” to the tea party, just to dispel some of your dumbness.
My Two Cents
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:36pmENCINOM:
With regard to the unwashed protesters, all Americans have the right to peaceably assemble. Real Americans draw the line at taking what they have not rightfully earned, defecating on police cars and calling for the murder of Jews.
Report Post »Duck and cover
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:18pmYa? I still think they were a waste. My opinion you raging hypocrite.
Report Post »Skank, wimp, qweer. They can have em back. they broke the law over there. acted stupidly if you will
hi
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:07amsend em back to iran
Report Post »nonamesleft
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 5:06pmI think them being freed should be a big edit undo!
Report Post »alrunner58
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:04amThey truly don’t know what this movement is about…useless idiots, just like the rest of the losers on the street.
Report Post »Miguelito
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:08amRadicals is what radicals does!
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:12amYeah they are about as useful as the popup that shows up on the side of the page for the next story.. When you go down it pops out, go back up a little and it goes in until it’s annoying enough for you to X it out.. It’s second nature to me now, I close it out without even thinking about it anymore.. it‘s doesn’t even need to be there ,as if were can’t find the next story on or own..
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:04amSo they got arrested for occupying Iran. Then only time Iran is correct in doing something. HA
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:03amProfessional traitor-occupiers.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:02amShocker? Eh, not so much.
Report Post »Itchee Dryback
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:26amI agree. The first things said by one of the two who were recently released, was a babble about freeing political prisoners ……in the U.S.
Idiots.
Report Post »How is it that they dropped off the medias radar screen after release? I have never heard any explanation as to what they were doing on the border of Iran, or where they were or how they were treated, or what they saw and heard of other prisoners.
Something smacks as bogus imo.
diablosho
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:00amI kept saying they needed AT LEAST 5 years in Iran before they liberal-itis starts to leave them. This is just never-ending-frustrating!
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:00amCan we send them back??
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:59amI’m not surprised. The first thing these two geniuses did when they hit the ground was morally equivocate Iran with the U.S.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:09amYes Gonzo, I said the same in my post.. The great Mark Levin called them out on it too.. Amazing , How can you hate a country that loves you enough to do everything it can to get you away from terrorist ? I’m just at a loss for thoughts watching this.. For some reason I feel very violent towards these fools..
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:19amIt’s nothing new Demint. The 60′s “anti war radicals” were really more anti American than anti war. That group took over the education system of the U.S. and and have cloned a new generation of themselves. It passed the first time and I pray it passes this time but, WE MUST TAKE EDUCATION BACK FROM THE ANTI AMERICAN MARXISTS!
Report Post »kentuckypatriot
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:59amWho’d a thunk these hikers were libs?
Report Post »meddlehead
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:31amThe geeky glasses and granola burping should have clued us in.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:58amCan we send them back?
Report Post »Applehead
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:01amHmmm! More liberal jews! http://www.stormfront.org/jewish/whorules.html
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:02amProof that the evil insanity that all Muslims have is infectious and can be transmitted.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:58amThey didn’t learn anything during their stay in Iran? Who would have guessed?
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:15amExactly, what everyone who read or posts this page thinks except for the trolls.
Report Post »skippy6
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:34pmThey learned that America bailed their sorry A$$es out and now they can speak their mind until the free republic is lost!!!
Report Post »FLyoverman
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:57amYou cannot fix stupid. Those three are firmly stuck on it.
Report Post »Gamaliel
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:07amI was going to say that!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:19amAnd wo of them are getting married….
Report Post »Liberalismsamentaldisorder
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:56amI’ll say it. They went to “hike” in Iran of their own volition. We should’ve left them there. I want my half million back.
Report Post »for-what-its-worth
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:06amI couldn’t agree more!
Hiking in Iran….are you serious?!?
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:08amIt sure wasn’t poor people who got them out. Little do they know that in a short amount of time they are going to wish they were back in iran. Their commie a$$es are about to be kicked but good.
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