WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The National Press Club is asking participants in its annual 5K race to honor jailed New York Times reporter Judith Miller by wearing her prisoner number.
"By wearing Judy Miller's prisoner number, reporters and other participants in the race will show solidarity with our colleague who is unable to participate along with us," NPC President Rick Dunham said in a statement.
Miller has been held in federal prison in Alexandria, Va., for more than two months for refusing to disclose confidential sources to federal prosecutors investigating the disclosure of the name of a CIA agent.
"The news media can never become an arm of the government or an agent of government prosecutors," said Dunham. "Judy Miller is paying the price for commitment to the independence of the news media."
Race organizers will offer participants two different stickers to place on their race bib. One reads, "Judith Miller, Inmate No. 45570083," and the other reads, "I support the 1st Amendment. Judith Miller, Inmate No. 45570083."
The organization holds its eighth annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday in Washington, D.C., to raise funds for its Ellen Masin Persina Scholarship for aspiring journalists of color.
