Coinciding with the presentation of the annual James W. Foley Freedom awards in Washington D.C., a rich variety of events took place during the week of April 28. Please read on to find out more about Hostage Week.
The 2025 James W. Foley Freedom Awards
The 2025 James W. Foley Legacy Awards were held in Washington D.C. on April 29, 2025. You may view the entire ceremony by clicking on the first image below. You may also view each individual awardee’s introduction video and acceptance speech by clicking on the corresponding image.
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[Click to view entire video]
JudyWoodruff
Senior correspondent and former anchor and managing editor of PBS News Hour
Joshua Geltzer
Former Legal Advisor to the National Security Council and Former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Christiane Amanpour
CNN’s chief international anchor of “Amanpour”
Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director, Free Yezidi Foundation
Sandrea Hwang
Assistant Director, National Counterintelligence Directorate
President Jimmy Carter
Bill Richardson Heart of a Patriot Award
Brittney Griner
WNBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, Author, and former Wrongful Detainee
Vincent Kozar
President, Phoenix Mercury & Valley Suns
Bring Our Families Home Campaign Mural Unveiling and Press Conference
On April 30 the Bring our Families Home Campaign unveiled a mural with the faces of hostages or Wrongful Detainees. Families and friends of 11 Americans held abroad worked through the day before to install the mural. A press conference was held next day to publicize their plight.
The Bring Our Families Home Campaign, led by families of American hostages and wrongful detainees, is the Foley Foundation’s public advocacy arm. Powered by the Foundation’s strategic and operational support, the Campaign fights for their loved ones’ freedom.
At the time of the unveiling, the campaign represented 11 families of individuals held in Venezuela, Russia, UAE, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Belarus.
CNN Interview with Hostage Families
During Hostage Week the Bring Our Families Home Campaign arranged for CNN’s Jake Tapper to interview Scott St. Clair, father of Joseph St. Clair, and Christian Castaneda, brother of Wilbert Castaneda, both wrongfully detained in Venezuela.
(video opens in a new window)
Other Hostage Week Events
Throughout the week other events, took place, including,
- Former captives and families attended a lunch and resource fair jointly sponsored by the Foley Foundation and Hostage US where they had an opportunity to discuss advocacy and media strategies and learn about mental and medical health resources from onsite advisors and counselors.
- On May 1st Foley Foundation’s Executive Director Benjamin Gray and Director of Research Liz Richards facilitated advocacy meetings between families of currently held hostages and wrongful detainees and U.S. Government officials.
- On the same day, the Press Freedom Center organized several events in conjunction with the World Press Freedom Day . The Foley Foundation a sponsor.
