“Austin is waiting, wanting to come home. Our family is waiting with open arms. His friends are waiting for a joyful homecoming celebration,” said Debra Tice, Austin’s mother. This August will mark Austin’s ninth year of captivity in Syria. “People across America and around the world are waiting to see Austin walk free.
“We implore President Biden: Bring Austin home to us. We’ve come close and been heartbroken by missed opportunities. Please don’t make Austin and those who love him wait a minute more.”
Austin is the oldest of seven siblings and a Houston, Texas, native. A veteran Marine Corps Captain, Austin served tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq after graduating from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. After his service, Austin pursued his law degree at Georgetown University Law Center. The summer before his final year of law school, Austin traveled to Syria as a freelance reporter and photographer. While reporting on the suffering of the Syrian people, he was detained at a checkpoint and remains held captive. U.S. government sources confirm he is alive.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute is supporting the Tices in this important effort, in partnership with McClatchy, Tribune Media, CNHI, and other organizations working to #FreeAustinTice. In September 2019, the Institute coordinated dozens of volunteers who canvassed the offices of every sitting member of Congress in one day, urging them to ask about Austin’s case in briefings and to urge that every diplomatic effort be made to bring him home to his family. Then, 173 of those lawmakers signed a letter to President Trump on Austin’s behalf. In September 2020, 2,638 individuals from around the U.S. joined a letter-writing campaign to Congress, urging all efforts be made to bring Austin home by Thanksgiving.
For more information, email Julie Moos, Executive Director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute.
