A Plea to the Syrian Government: Release Middlebury Student Tik Root
by: Guest on March 29th, 2011 | 5 Comments »
by Hunter King
Middlebury College Student Tik Root
The Syrian government is detaining my close friend, Tik Root. Would you all help me spread the word about this?
I thought to reach out over Tikkun Daily particularly because last summer I was an intern at the Network of Spiritual Progressives. I’ve heard that raising public awareness about a detention such as this — and generating exposure through the media and pressure from the international community — is the best way to help Tik’s quick return to America.
Tik is twenty-one years old and goes to Middlebury College. He has been studying Arabic in Damascus since his Middlebury study abroad program in Alexandria, Egypt, was evacuated during the revolution earlier this year. I first learned of his disappearance after a mutual friend reported him missing on March 18; it is believed that Tik was picked up by Syrian authorities after watching, but not participating in, a political demonstration in the Old City quarter of Damascus. Both Tik’s father, a professor at Middlebury, and I do not believe that he would have been involved in the protest; although Tik witnessed the Egyptian revolution firsthand, he did not believe it wise to participate fully in political affairs of the country he was visiting. He had, however, been keeping a blog chronicling his experiences in the Middle East.
The State Department has been closely working with Tik’s community of family and friends and was recently able to confirm with Syrian Authorities that he is indeed being detained. We are told that Tik is in good condition but his fate is still in the hands of the Syrian government.
Tik’s story has been picked up by various mainstream news outlets, including the Huffington Post and CNN, where Tik’s father has been interviewed and details his situation. Middlebury College has also chronicled Tik’s disappearance and its developments.
Tik is an incredible young man and student who has dedicated much of his life to the study and understanding of the Arabic language and cultures of the Middle East and, despite this event, I have no doubt that Tik’s release will result in his continued exploration of the region he loves.
Tik is unfortunately going to turn into a tool of the Syrian police state. 2 young Americans have been held for well lover a year in Iran for “spying”. I pray that Tik returns safely, but he has to learn that one does not take part in political demonstraions in a foreign country, especially and police state, and hope to get protecton from his home govt. His fate tragically rests with the Syrian authorities, and no foreign govt has leverage.
I feel…and hope……that the Syrian authorities are far too intelligent to scapegoat this young man, other than making him aware of the dangers of a free-thinker being within the boundaries of a police state system……it can be dangerous even in our self-styled Democratic system when in the eyes of our own secret agencies………I hope that the Syrian authorities will not exploit this for propaganda purposes but simply let Tik go………..
Tony, this is Syria we are talking about and does not compare to any Democracy Considering that fact that the Syrian govt has used snipers on protesters; Tik is luck to be alive. I doubt if he will get a slap on the hand and sent home. There will be trial and he will be charged. Perhaps the Assad regime would want to send him back home in exchange for a political concession or prisoner release from the west. This should serve as a warning to anyone who tries to go into a police state and engage in political activities. You are placing your life in your own hands outside the comfort of home.
Apologies: He was watching the demonstrations. Juts the same it is bets to stay away for these things. I was in a little town of Sephru, just outside of Fez, watching and anti Israel/US May Day parade. I started taking photos of burning flags when I was surrounded plain clothes police and forced to erase all of those photos. It humbled me and left me shaken. Morocco is considered one of the more open Arab countries. Syria is everything but open and secret police watch everything,
I just read that ths gentlement has been released unharmed. He is very veyy lucky. In the mean time two young American students are being held in Iran on espionage charges. I am hoping that Mr King makes the same plea for their release as well.