Tice, a former U.S Marine, is the only American journalist still held captive. Wilkins said that the Club will not stop fighting until he is back home.
“Today, we recognize a major and sobering step in the long journey home for Austin Tice," Wilkins said. "Twelve years ago today, Austin was taken in Syria, where he was working as a journalist. Today we call on our American government to bring him home to his family because all Austin was doing was journalism, and journalism is not a crime."
Tice's mother says 'window' open for son's return
In an interview with Wilkins following Hasting's performance, Debra Tice, Austin's mother, urged the U.S. government to act now to secure her son's release.
“Every kind of hostage situation requires engagement, negotiation and concession," she said. "These are essential. Missed windows are a huge reason Austin is still missing after 12 long years. We are in a window now. The conditions for Austin's safe return are near perfect. Our government must act now.”
Tice’s commanding officer from Afghanistan Brian Bruggeman spoke about Tice's transition from serving in the Marines to becoming a photojournalist.
“Tice is an American. He is a Marine and 12 years is much too long for him to be away from his home and kept against his will," Bruggeman said. "Let's get Captain Tice home now.”
Post, McClatchy leaders urge action to free Tice
Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray, who knows Austin Tice as a freelance reporter, said Tice did some of his most significant work for the Post.
“Freeing Austin is also a fight for all of us who care about free expression at a time when it is under attack around the world, who believe that journalists pursuing the truth are serving the larger goods of society and governments even when they're telling us unpleasant things," Murray said.
Securing Tice's freedom must be an "urgent priority" for the U.S. government, Murray said.
"Our patience is wearing thin," Murray said.
Tice also worked for McClatchy and was part of the team that won the prestigious George Polk Award for the media chain's Syria coverage. McClatchy CEO Tony Hunter said the Tice family has endured more than enough pain and uncertainty and deserve better from their government.
“I call upon the U.S government to confirm the meeting with Syria in Oman, to engage directly with the Syrian authorities, to use every available resource and exhaust every diplomatic channel, and if all else fails, go get him," Hunter said in a video shown at the Club event.
Robert O'Brien, White House National Security Adviser from 2019 to 2012, said he fought hard as a presidential envoy to bring Austin home.
“We stand in solidarity with Austin, his family, and all Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad," O'Brien said in a video. "I will continue to do everything possible to advocate and pursue his release, and support his loved ones until he is safely returned home.”
