Free Gao.

Admittedly, I am not a fan of forwarded e-mail but I recently received one from a friend that grabbed my attention. 

Many years ago, Randy and I befriended one another years ago at the local grocery store, our employer during our high school years.  At a young age, we bonded over groceries, making our customers laugh and similar views of the world, knowing we could make a difference.

I am proud to say that despite what I believe is more than a decade later (can that even be?!), he and I still keep in touch.  

Here is an excerpt from the e-mail Randy sent:

The silence from the highest levels of the Chinese government regarding Gao Zhisheng's kidnapping is deafening. Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng has now been missing 57 days. When one brave reporter asked the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson about Gao, "the official paled and was visibly shaken," according to a Western journalist who was an eyewitness.

Gao Zhisheng was last seen being hauled away from his home in Shaanxi province by more than a dozen police officers on February 4. According to ChinaAid sources, Gao is being severely tortured. Because Gao fearlessly cried out to the free world, revealing the abuses of the Chinese government against house church Christians and others persecuted in China, Chinese authorities want to silence his voice. Now, you can speak out on his behalf.

Gao Zhisheng's wife and children, who have also been abused and tormented by Chinese authorities, escaped to the U.S. three weeks ago. They are grateful for the more than 36,000 who are speaking out by signing the petition and sending e-mails, but more help is needed. Will you partner with us to obtain 100,000 signatures and continue to bombard Chinese government, businesses and media with e-mails calling for Gao's release? Please forward this e-mail to friends and family and encourage them to sign the petition.

Lend your voice to sustain the outcry for Gao Zhisheng's release. Go to www.FreeGao.com to: continue to send e-mails to officials - new e-mails are posted regularly. Make a contribution online. Help us continue to press for Gao's release -- by sustaining this cry for justice.

Please sign this petition, it matters.