Malphine Fogel, in the dark shirt, talks with family friends before boarding a bus to Washington D.C. on Saturday for a rally to raise awareness for her son Marc, who is detained in Russian prison.

Relatives, strangers and friends of Butler native Marc Fogel gathered early Saturday, July 15, to raise awareness on his detainment in a Russian prison at a rally in Washington D.C.

The group of 20 took a five-and-a half hour bus ride to Lafayette Square in front of the White House, hoping their demonstration would compel lawmakers to prioritize Fogel’s release.

Marc, 62, had been living and working as a teacher in the Russia since 2012. He was detained on a return trip in August 2021 for carrying about one-half ounce of medical marijuana, which was prescribed for chronic pain.

He was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in prison, and his family has fought for his release ever since.

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