Thank You – Laura Ling and Euna Lee Pardoned

By on August 4, 2009 in Uncategorized

For the last few months, along with a few committed friends and supporters, I have attempted through blogs and articles to keep attention on the situation regarding my close friend Laura Ling and her colleague Euna Lee who were imprisoned in North Korea for the last 4.5 months. Today because of the efforts of many people including the thousands of activists, supporters, and well-wishers on channels like this one, Laura and Euna were pardoned and are currently on their way home to their families with former President Bill Clinton.

On behalf of the many committed advocates for Laura and Euna’s safe return home, both those who published blogs and articles on channels like this one and those that supported us and spread the word, I’d like to thank everyone who signed the petition seeking their amnesty, tweeted, commented, or even said a prayer on Laura and Euna’s behalf. We – their friends – are very grateful for all of your efforts and ask for your continued thoughts and prayers as the girls return home, reunite with their families, and heal from this unfathomable experience.

- Gotham Chopra

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Gotham Chopra

About Gotham Chopra

Gotham Chopra is a multi-media voice on issues of spirituality, culture, and news. As an anchor for Channel One News -- an in-school educational news broadcast seen daily by upwards of 8 million American students -- Gotham reported from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Egypt, China, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Colombia, Russia, Chechnya, Mexico, Honduras, all across Europe and the United States. He has interviewed a wide range of Global leaders -- from President Bush to the Dalai Lama to associates and foot soldiers of Osama Bin Laden. He has hosted events as diverse as the Pope's pep rally in St. Louis to the action at the fifty-yard line at the Superbowl. Gotham's global assignments have sent him on patrol with anti-militant commando units in war torn Kashmir and had him detained by secret police in China, Iran, and Pakistan. Gotham is the author of Familiar Strangers (Random House 2002) -- a non-fiction and spiritual chronicle of his travels and encounters at the frontlines of areas in conflict and transition. Gotham served as Story Editor on the Bulletproof Monk -- a comic book about bullets, monks, gangs, and seekers. He also served as Executive Producer of the feature Film with John Woo's Lion Rock Films and MGM Studios, which appeared in theaters in 2003. He is also author of Child of the Dawn, a novel published in 1996 and translated in 13 languages internationally. He recorded The Mythical Lover on A Gift of Love -- a recording of sensual poetry by the 13th Century poet Rumi, and has served as researcher and lyrical advisor to Michael Jackson on the multi-platinum albums Dangerous and HIStory. He has also served as Producer on television specials for PBS. As co-founder of 5K Entertainment, Gotham wrote, is producing, and will direct the indy feature Swindle. He is also the co-creator of K Lounge -- a Kama Sutra bar and lounge in New York City with more to launch internationally in 2005. As co-founder of Chopra Media and a partner in Intent Media (with Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur), Gotham is involved in a wide-array of creative media ventures. He is the President of development for Gotham Studios Asia, the largest comic book studio in India. Currently Gotham is serving as creative consultant to Current TV, a new television network co-founded by former Vice-President Al Gore, and scheduled to launch in 20 million American households in August 2005. Identified by Newsweek Magazine (March 04) as one of the "most powerful and influential" South Asians worth watching, Gotham speaks nationally on issues of youth and spirituality, conflict resolution, and develops workshops to create a language for young people to bring out the internal and external issues that important to them.
View all posts by Gotham Chopra →

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21 Responses to Thank You – Laura Ling and Euna Lee Pardoned

  1. yumi August 4, 2009 at 4:16 pm #

    One can only hope that this will be a turning point for more positive and peaceful international relations. I am so thankful these two women can be rightfully reunited back with their friends and families where they belong.

  2. Dr. Rev. Heather Meh August 4, 2009 at 4:21 pm #

    Gotham,

    I am so glad this 'story' has a happy ending. It warms my heart with joy to know Kim Jong II has softened his heart and heeded the pleas. When I read Mallika's post this morning about fmr Pres. Clinton meeting with him, I received affirmation that everything was going to work out fine. I'm elated this turned out better than even I had imagined!

    Wishing them a safe journey for their return!

    Heather Mehudar

    "There are no accidents, coincidences or mistakes."

  3. mallika.chopra August 4, 2009 at 4:25 pm #

    Such gratitude to everyone who kept the story of Laura and Euna alive, by signing the petition, retweets, prayers. Honestly, your voice was heard and the administration acted. How incredible.

    Also thanks to the team at Intent for pushing this, and to all our partners sites – Care2, Causecast, Elephant Journal, Beliefnet, Good.is, Huffington Post, and others for sharing the stories through their networks.

    And of course @liberatelaura, @freelauraeuna, Brendan on Facebook, and the close circle of friends that supported the message of the Lee and Ling families.

    So happy the girls will be home soon and reunited with their families.

    Love Mallika

  4. beachgirl August 4, 2009 at 4:29 pm #

    ***Mallika***absolutely fabulous news … yet on some level, how else could it be. Many intents and many signed and vibrationally a shift occurred. thank you!

    ~*aloha*~ … from ~*~ beachgirl ~*~

  5. cushmr August 4, 2009 at 4:33 pm #

    It is a very good thing, good energy, good action that has been the outcome of your concern and sense of responsibility. I have a friend – a holocaust survivor – that endured much brutality many years ago. He and I disagree on whether there will ever be peace. I believe it happens much this way: that individuals require it, insist on it, expect it – sometimes in small ways, sometimes in large ways. Ultimately, it happens one person at a time until, slowly then suddenly, it will be here, in evidence.

    I am grateful for your voice….and your insistence.

    Rosalie

  6. PaulGopal August 4, 2009 at 4:45 pm #

    Wonderful news !!

  7. michelle.cook August 4, 2009 at 5:22 pm #

    This is great news!!! Well done, Gotham and Mallika, and everyone at Intent who helped to keep this important information in the public's consciousness to bring these women home to their families. I'm sure their families are full of joy and gratitude as they await the safe arrival of Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

    Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM, DAc, RNCP, ROHP

    Best-selling and six-time book author, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan, and The Brain Wash. http://www.TheLifeForceDiet.com

  8. Pam August 4, 2009 at 5:49 pm #

    The excitement Laura, Euna and their families must feel right now! I am grateful and thankful for the huge public outpouring for Laura and Euna's release within this community and everywhere. Now they are coming home. Home sweet home! To Bill Clinton: you did a terrific thing over there. Thanks!

    Namaste

  9. Nurafidah Kamaludin August 4, 2009 at 6:50 pm #

    I am so grateful and overjoyed for the release of Laura and Euna. BIG HUGS !!!!

    With love, peace, health and wealth;

    Nurafidah

  10. ALP2003TN August 4, 2009 at 6:57 pm #

    Doing the happy dance! Thank God they're coming home!!!

  11. DrDeb August 4, 2009 at 7:07 pm #

    I'm looking at video footage of Laura and Euna boarding a plane to come home!! Lao Tzu wrote, "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe," and I think the entire universe is reverberating with the joyful music of our souls today. :-)

    Peace and love,

    Deb

  12. ZoSo August 4, 2009 at 7:10 pm #

    I cant begin to tell you how Great!! this is such good news..I have been stressing for since they were convicted..now we have hikers arrested in Iran :( ((

  13. pamatha August 4, 2009 at 7:44 pm #

    Never doubt the power of prayer. I believe our prayers were answered! Thank you Gotham for keeping them in our hearts and minds through this blog. I rejoice for what must be ecstatic joy for you personally and for the world who has watched this all unfold.

  14. DOMINIC August 4, 2009 at 7:51 pm #

    Gotham and Mallika, remember what I wrote back in May, the first comment, as I was on intent back then then went off but back again as to read what I said back then and it sounds so familiar…anyways they are on there way to freedom once again..but here is the website Mallika wrote..remember…God lets us experience patience and not rush processes…enjoy*

    http://www.intent.com/mallikachopra/blog/what-you…

    May you live in peace and harmony surround you always(+)

    Dom*

  15. mydomainpvt August 5, 2009 at 1:10 am #

    dear gotham, mallika,

    congratulations for this beautiful success. hope they make home soon. very soon. prayers from heart do come true.

    Wish you love, peace and happiness.

    Trisha

  16. Tonez August 5, 2009 at 1:44 am #

    The beauty of the Power of One – who says we can't affect change just by doing one small thing? This is proof! I am so thankful and relieved that these women can return to their beloved families. Well done everyone on playing a part and making this happen.

    Kudos also to former President Bill Clinton!!! Woohoo!!!

  17. Rouzanna Vardanyan August 5, 2009 at 2:48 am #

    I am so happy our collective intent came true. Keep going, friends!

    Rouzanna

  18. pavel.somov August 5, 2009 at 3:56 am #

    A moment to celebrate!

    Pavel Somov, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, author of "Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time" (New Harbinger, 2008) http://www.eatingthemoment.com

  19. rajeshmsharma August 5, 2009 at 6:15 am #

    Peace Love Compassion Truth Goodness Thanks

    Love

    Rajesh
    http://rajeshmsharma.blogspot.com

  20. SpiritualWriter August 5, 2009 at 6:46 am #

    this is a beautiful example of love and faith in action, all the prayers, all the heartfelt wishes for their safe return, the women have been returned by a wave of love safely to their families. It is truly wondrous to behold. Thank you everyone for your good thoughts. x

  21. hawk30 August 7, 2009 at 7:30 am #

    I am 58 and this is the first time in my life I have wept tears of joy while watching the comverage of the homecoming. The prayers, hopes and efforts should now be turned to the three unfortunates in Iran, who may be charged as spies. As good as most of us try to be, there is evil in the world.