As more countries strive to create peaceful, free environments, the world continues to hear heartbreaking stories such as that of Mark Swidan. Mark is an American citizen wrongfully detained and sentenced to death row in China. His mother, Mary Jo Swidan, is now calling on President Joe Biden to confront Chinese leader Xi Jinping to speak on Mark’s behalf and help secure his release.
The ordeal began in 2013 when Mark was arrested for alleged drug trafficking by Chinese authorities on a trip to China. During his detainment, he was subject to cruel treatment and forced to sign a confession written in Chinese – a language he does not understand. Mark was then sentenced to death and has been detained in a Chinese prison since then without access to a lawyer or communication with his family.
In an interview, Mary Jo explained that while the Trump administration tried to help free her son, they were unsuccessful. She is now imploring the Biden administration to intervene and persuade Chinese officials to grant her son a retrial based on the lack of evidence and due process that was denied during his trial.
In an effort to garner support for Mark’s release, his family, friends, and supporters are relying heavily on social media activism and awareness campaigns, as well as signing a petition on www.micmark.com. The goal of these efforts is to urge the Biden administration and other world leaders to intervene and call on Chinese President Xi Jinping to free Mark.
The Swidan family is holding out hope, hoping to reunite with Mark and start a new chapter in their lives. In a desperate plea, Mary Jo has commented “Please help us bring back our son before we lose him forever.” It’s stories like Mark Swidan’s that underscore the need for world leaders to work together to create a more just and equal global society.
“Demand Justice For Mark: Mother’s Call to Biden on China’s Wrongful Death Row Detention of American Citizen
