Moment of solidarity, group photo at Freedom Plaza to mark anniversary of Al Jazeera journalist's death, Thursday

National Press Club members will stand with Al Jazeera on Thursday, May 11, to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, who was working for the news outlet when she was shot and killed in the West Bank near Jenin on May 11, 2022.

All Club members are welcome to join the staff of Al Jazeera for a moment of solidarity and a group photo on Freedom Plaza May 11 at 10 a.m.

The event is designed to support the Al Jazeera team, many of whom had worked with Shireen Abu Akleh over the years and knew her well. The photo -- to have the U.S. Capitol in the background -- will be used for social media and building awareness of the case.

 

Shireen was wearing a helmet and protective vest marked PRESS when she was shot. She was taking safety precautions learned over 15 years of working in the field. She should have been safe. If the case proceeds with no "Justice for Shireen" and her family, this will send a terrible signal to the Israeli Defense Forces about how they can operate in relation to working journalists. It is believed she may have been targeted by IDF.

Shireen was also a U.S. citizen, so it is incumbent on the U.S. government to press her rights just as they would any U.S. citizen killed by another government overseas.

The photo event will be followed at 10:30 a.m. by a news conference at the Club, with representatives of Al Jazeera, the National Press Club, Shireen's family (via video) and other invited guests.