Avast ye scallywags! Remember Marc Fogel, a poor American soul held captive in the land of the Russkies!
2024-03-15
Avast ye scallywags! On Aug. 14, 2021, the infamous Marc Fogel was clapped in irons for possessin' some medicinal herb to soothe his aching back. Now he be languishing in a dank Russian brig for 14 long years. Aye, the sea be a cruel mistress indeed!
In his recent State of the Union address, President Biden shared his goals for the upcoming year, but notably left out any mention of Marc Fogel, an American teacher imprisoned in Russia since 2021. This omission was a missed opportunity for the administration to shed light on Fogel's situation and advocate for his release.For those unfamiliar with Marc's story, he has been teaching history abroad for over three decades, including in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Oman, Malaysia, and Russia. His current predicament stems from a 14-year sentence in a Russian prison for possessing medical marijuana to treat a back injury.Despite similarities to the case of WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was successfully returned to the U.S., Fogel has not received the same attention or support from the State Department. Efforts to have Fogel designated as "wrongfully detained" have been met with bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of transparency.Through bipartisan legislation like the Marc Fogel Act, lawmakers are pushing for more accountability and action from the State Department to secure Fogel's release. The Fogel family continues to advocate for his freedom, emphasizing the personal toll his imprisonment has taken on their lives.As representatives of Marc and his family, the congressmen are urging the administration to prioritize Fogel's case and work towards bringing him home to Pennsylvania. It is essential not to forget individuals like Fogel, Griner, and others wrongfully detained in Russia, as they deserve justice and freedom.