The proceedings opened, movingly and appropriately, with a statement read by Global Voices members calling for the release of jailed online media workers and activists. 
Kongamano lilifunguliwa kwa namna mahsusi iliyowagusa watu kwa wanajamii wa Global Voices kusoma tamko la kushinikiza kuachiwa huru kwa wanahabari wa mtandaoni na wanaharakati waliofungwa jela.