Marc Fogel

The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday, June 13, calling for the release of numerous Americans, including Butler native Marc Fogel, who is imprisoned in Russia.

Malphine Fogel, his mother, said Wednesday that she was happy to hear about the passing of the resolution, and that more work is being done to plan a rally for Marc in Washington, D.C., in July.

“Maybe having the resolution will bring his name up. In articles, they never mention Marc, and I don’t know why. I hope his name is mentioned with other prisoners,” she said.

Fogel’s family has been communicating with lawmakers since his detainment in 2021.

Fogel, 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, prescribed for chronic pain.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday, June 13, calling for the release of numerous Americans, including Butler native Marc Fogel, who is imprisoned in Russia.

Malphine Fogel, his mother, said Wednesday that she was happy to hear about the passing of the resolution, and that more work is being done to plan a rally for Marc in Washington, D.C., in July.

“Maybe having the resolution will bring his name up. In articles, they never mention Marc, and I don’t know why. I hope his name is mentioned with other prisoners,” she said.

Fogel’s family has been communicating with lawmakers since his detainment in 2021.

Fogel, 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, prescribed for chronic pain.

He was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in prison.

The resolution also requests the releases of Evan Gershkovich, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal, and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. marine who has been detained since 2018.

On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, said he previously met with Fogel’s family.

“I made a promise to them: We will always continue to advocate for Marc’s safe and quick return to the United States,” Kelly said. “Now, we are taking our work directly to the House floor and making it clear the entire House of Representatives supports Mr. Fogel.”

In February, Kelly and nine other members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken for Fogel to be classified as “wrongfully detained.” According to Kelly’s office, Fogel meets six of 11 established criteria for the designation.

A resolution was also signed by Kelly in November, asking that the state department declare Fogel as “wrongfully detained.”

Malphine and other family members traveled to Washington D.C. in May, meeting with 22 lawmakers in the course of two days to discuss Marc’s imprisonment.

“Everyone was just as cordial as they could have been,” she said. “We had positive reactions, and everyone said this is a ‘state department’ issue.”

A demonstration called “Marc’s Rally” has been planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Lafayette Park in front of the White House.

The demonstration is to raise awareness about Fogel among legislators and have him designated as “wrongfully detained.”

Depending on interest, organizer Debra Zarnick, the wife of one of Marc’s friends, said a bus will be rented to take people to Washington.

“People are coming from all over the country,” she said.

Those interested in attending and participating in the rally can email Zarnick at dzarnick@zoominternet.net by 1 p.m. Monday, June 19.

For frequent updates on Fogel, follow the “Freedom for Marc Fogel” Facebook page.