Michelle4VA
Jul 30, 2022
Today Michelle Maldonado joined a coalition of Virginia legislators, led by Del. Sam Rasoul, in calling on the White House to act on behalf of Virginian Asim Ghafoor, who is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates. The letter to President Biden underscores "a clear need for concern over the validity of this arrest," citing in part Ghafoor's service on the board for the nonprofit organization Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), which advocates for democratic reforms in the Middle East.
Maldonado released a statement on the issue:
"When the rights of one are violated, the rights of many are violated. We stand together, state and federal legislators, community and faith leaders, fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, sons, daughters and friends, to understand the truth of what has happened and to ask our President to ensure the safe return of Mr. Ghafoor to his family and his home here in Virginia."
The letter's 30 signatories include seven of Virginia's state senators and 23 delegates.