Press Freedom Is Your Freedom

If you’ve worn a “Free Evan” button, you know that most everyone who crosses your path will take note and signal that they support its cause. They usually say they want a pin for themselves, for their neighbors, colleagues and friends. Ambassadors, lawmakers, CEOs, store clerks and journalists alike all have asked to get their hands on one and join the campaign.

Since Russia arrested Evan Gershkovich for false charges of espionage, support for the Wall Street Journal reporter’s release has snowballed into a global press-freedom effort. The hashtag #IstandwithEvan has been shared countless times; news organizations in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have written to Russian ambassadors condemning the arrest. Leaders of the U.S. Senate released a bipartisan statement. President Biden has weighed in, committing to bring Evan home and insisting that journalism isn’t a crime.