Benjamin Gray

Executive Director @JamesFoleyFund, former Googler, Tweep, and Govie serving the public good. He/him.

[International Women's Media Foundation @IWMF]

We stand with our colleagues at @RSF_inter, @pressfreedom, and the @JamesFoleyFund in calling on U.S. Secretary of State @SecRubio to designate American journalist Shelly Kittleson as a hostage.

Read the full letter: https://t.co/O6AVooXIQ8

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

2026 JAMES W. FOLEY FREEDOM AWARDS SPONSOR

We’re honored to extend our thanks to The Security Foundation for their generous support of the Foley Freedom Awards. Their commitment to strengthening global security makes a meaningful impact on our mission to champion freedom, courage, and the protection of those who risk everything to bring truth to the world.

SPONSOR – DONATE – PURCHASE TICKETS

https://t.co/keWkqfn4Qy

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

Last week, Foley Foundation President Diane Foley and Executive Director Benjamin Gray joined the @uoregon's Hostage Diplomacy Course, co-led by Professor David Ewald and journalist and former hostage Jason Rezaian @rezaian.

The interdisciplinary course engages students in advocacy for Americans held hostage abroad. Through their projects, students bring energy and creativity to family-led efforts—including the @BOFHcampaign —seeking the release of loved ones from unjust captivity.

@FoleyDi and @Tenacious_Gray shared an insider’s perspective on international hostage-taking and advocacy and offered feedback on students’ emerging ideas. We’re grateful to David, Jason, and their students for their passion in confronting this critical national security threat. #BringThemHome

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

PRESS RELEASE: FOLEY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DR. SEBASTIAN GORKA AS FREEDOM AWARDS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

“We are honored that Dr. @SebGorka will join us as keynote speaker for this year’s Freedom Awards event. Throughout his public service, he has demonstrated moral courage by standing with families of Americans held captive and working tirelessly to bring their loved ones home. His leadership reflects the resolve and compassion required to confront hostage‑taking and wrongful detention.” – @FoleyDi, President & Founder

Read in entirety here: https://t.co/Zp2ohVEIAi

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

During March, we shared the Foley Foundation’s most recent research‑based policy recommendations with @SenatorShaheen, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Want to learn more? Visit https://t.co/NbLRX4BYze

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

The Foley Foundation, @pressfreedom, and @RSF_inter urge US government to designate Shelly Kittleson hostage, mobilize all resources to secure safe, swift release. #BringShellyHome

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

Colorado man freed after over a year of captivity in Taliban-run Afghanistan

"It really is a pattern of abuse by the Taliban and other nations that similarly deliberately target Americans for the purpose of trying to extract concessions or policy changes from the U.S. government,” - Benjamin Gray @Tenacious_Gray, Foley Foundation Executive Director, reflecting on a broader pattern of behavior by state actors targeting Americans.

https://t.co/ohQWNAyNRr

[Bring Our Families Home Campaign @BOFHcampaign]

In addition to everything @JamesFoleyFund does on behalf of American hostages and their families, they also fiscally sponsor our @BOFHcampaign and provide strategic and logistical support to our family-led campaign. Your support of the Foley Foundation allows us to do what we do for our loved ones wrongfully detained around the world. ⤵️🙏🇺🇸💪

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

The Foley Foundation welcomes the release of Dennis Coyle from Taliban captivity and is relieved that he will finally be reunited with his loved ones, including his sisters, who have so passionately advocated for his release.

His freedom follows the State Department’s designation of Afghanistan as a state sponsor of wrongful detention—a critical step in confronting the Taliban’s use of Americans as leverage.

While we celebrate today, this work is not finished. The Taliban refuses to acknowledge that it holds Mahmood Habibi, missing since 2022. The family of Paul Overby Jr., last seen in 2014, also deserves answers, and there are indications that a third American may also be held.

We must sustain this momentum—to secure the return of any remaining Americans and to pursue accountability for the Taliban’s cruel use of people for political leverage.
@FreeDennisCoyle @StateSPEHA @SecRubio @aboehler @SebGorka #BringThemHome @BOFHcampaign

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

2026 JAMES W. FOLEY FREEDOM AWARDS SPONSOR

The Foley Foundation is deeply grateful to @nytimes for their generous sponsorship and steadfast support of our mission. Their commitment helps us protect journalists and stand with American hostage families. Thank you for being a strong partner in this work.

https://t.co/keWkqfmx10

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

The Foley Foundation is pleased to share the following invitation from the @StateDept:

The U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, in partnership with the @JamesFoleyFund, @McCainInstitute, and @hostageus invites you to join us in commemorating U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day on March 9, 2026.

To attend you must register for the event no later than Wed, March 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM. To register, visit: https://t.co/twzUqFWT1s

(To accommodate security screening, doors will open at 8:15 AM. All guests must arrive no later than 8:50 AM. This event is open to the public)

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

On March 10, in an online event, the Foley Foundation will share our latest independent, nonpartisan research analyzing the global threat of international hostage-taking. Learn how the threat continues to evolve—and what it means for Americans working, residing, or traveling abroad.

As part of our eight-year #BringingAmericansHome research series, our Director of Research and Hostage Advocacy, Elizabeth Richards, will present our newest findings. A panel of experts will then explore the report’s implications.

Register today at https://t.co/aEBMJh5QNO.

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

Foley Foundation board member Ryan Fayhee spoke with CNN about American journalist Reza Valizadeh, who is unjustly imprisoned in Iran. At least five other Americans are also wrongfully detained. Their safety at this moment is paramount. #BringThemHome #Iran
https://t.co/Kz8cAxbsJG

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

With the U.S. and Iran now in open conflict, six American nationals wrongfully detained in Iran face unprecedented danger. Their safety cannot be forgotten.

We respectfully urge @POTUS, @SecRubio, @aboehler, and @SebGorka to build on the Trump administration’s success in freeing Americans detained abroad by making the safe return of those held captive in Iran a top priority.

Their lives depend on sustained attention and swift action. #BringThemHome #Iran @BOFHcampaign

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

Consequences for regimes that take Americans hostage are essential for effective deterrence, accountability for captors, and justice for victims. This first use of the State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention designation is a critical step. Right now, ensuring the safe release of Americans held hostage in Iran must be the top priority. #BringThemHome #SSWD @BOFHcampaign
@StateSPEHA @SecRubio

https://t.co/FaxAQUmMrN

[Sebastian Gorka DrG @SebGorka]

President @realDonaldTrump has made it clear that the Taliban must cease their hostage-taking, or there will be consequences.

We will not rest until Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi come home.
@WhiteHouse

[Bring Our Families Home Campaign @BOFHcampaign]

@SebGorka @realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse Thank you President Trump, Dr. Gorka, and
@aboehler. Anything we can do to support your efforts to bring home these Americans, please let us know. We are in this together and we have faith that you CAN and WILL make this happen. 🇺🇸📷🙏

[Bring Our Families Home Campaign @BOFHcampaign]

The message from @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, Secretary of State @SecRubio, Asst. to the President Dr. @SebGorka, US Ambassador to the UN @USAmbUN, & Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Response @aboehler is clear: #Taliban must #FreeMahmoodHabibi.

[James W. Foley Legacy Foundation @JamesFoleyFund]

PODCAST: Judged: A Mother’s Love - Katie Bridget Murphy explores three extraordinary stories of mothers facing impossible choices including the story of Diane Foley (@FoleyDi) whose son Jim - a freelance journalist – is kidnapped when reporting from Syria. From private prayers to public campaigns, her efforts will help spark an overhaul of how her government responds to hostage crises.

Listen here: https://t.co/OQ1qcCJ26l

[Adam Boehler @aboehler]

The 🇺🇸 @SecRubio stand behind @HeyTammyBruce @michaelgwaltz The Taliban must end all forms of hostage taking — they hold 2 Americans right now and it is unacceptable.