Washington, DC (June 13, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted in favor of H. Res. 377, a resolution calling for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a journalist and Princeton, NJ native who has been detained by the Russian government since March 2023. The resolution passed the House of Representatives unanimously.

“The continued detention of Evan Gershkovich is completely unacceptable and must come to an end,” said Watson Coleman. “He must be swiftly and safely returned to his family.  I’m working with my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation and the Administration to ensure Mr. Gershkovich’s release. I have full faith in the State Department to advocate for Evan and other innocent Americans being detained and bring an end to this egregious behavior that puts the Russian Federation outside international norms and further isolates them from the world community of nations. The detention of journalists anywhere is an affront to freedom and human rights.”

Since February, the State Department has had a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Russia for American citizens due to among other things, the increased potential for harassment by government officials, the risk of detention and arbitrary enforcement of local law and the limited ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. The State Department has advised U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia to depart immediately.

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