“This photo shows his kind and happy smile,” said Alexandra Z. Forseth of his father Alirio Zambrano, who has been detained in Venezuela as one of the so-called Citgo 6 since 2017. Her uncle Jose Luis Zambrano was also detained as a member of the group.
“That’s what I miss most, laugh with him and get his point of view on the little things in life,” she continued.
Wednesday’s event was interrupted by emotional and personal remarks to many of the family and an unexpected call from one of the detainees.
“Matthew just called,” said Matthew Heath’s uncle Everett Rutherford. “We can tell him how hard we are working to take him home and give him a little courage and hope, for him and for the rest of his family. I was able to do it. “
Many in the family talked about the pain of their long-term separation and the fear that their loved ones might never be able to go home.
“When we talk about time, it’s not an abstract concept,” said Neda Shargi, whose brother Emmad Shargi has been detained in Iran since 2018. He was taken to the hospital in the intense summer heat.
“My father soon passed by and couldn’t see his son,” she said in tears.
“Every minute, it feels like eternity to us,” said Tara Tarbaz, who hasn’t seen her parents since November 2017. His father, Morado Turbaz, was detained in Iran and his mother was detained by a travel ban. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done to just keep listening and take no action.”
The mural unveiling was held amid growing complaints from many White House families that they weren’t taking enough concrete action to take their loved ones home. Many have met with President Joe Biden and sought to pay attention to their case. The White House does not promise a Biden meeting with the family.
“I’m here in a desperate attempt. Am I saying the right words that the right people would hear me? President Biden listens to what I’m saying and hears our pain I asked Gabriella Zambrano Hill, the daughter of Arilio Zambrano and the niece of Jose Luis Zambrano.
Mr. Biden said, “I know all the cases. He is interested in them. He is always from Mr. Blinken (Secretary of State). I have been explained. “
“He knows about this mural today,” Curstens added.
The murals, a project of the “Family Bring Home Campaign”, will soon disappear.
“That’s my greatest hope. Some of these people can stand in front of their photos and say I’m at home,” the artist told CNN.
CNN’s Kylie Atwood and Michael Conte contributed to the press.
Source: www.cnn.com
