American Rescue Coalition works to raise awareness of all Americans held abroad while taking direct action on a single case at a time to ensure their humane treatment while working toward their release
This work is done by organizing regionally appropriate teams of advisors and professionals to create and implement an effective plan of action. This plan can involve non-governmental organizations (NGO), lawyers, legislatures, regional experts, investigators, private diplomats, and any number of other groups that will effectively achieve our objectives. ARC works a single project at a time by forming a team specifically for that project.
American Rescue Coalition is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not promote any ideology or world view but works with the sole purpose of assuring humane treatment and return of U.S. citizens being held abroad in the most practical and effective way.
Our core principles are
First, do no harm. American Rescue Coalition only acts with the utmost caution and respect for the seriousness of the situations we deal with. Any project ARC is involved in, is lead by professional advisors with many years of experience in their relevant field.
Lead, follow, or simply stay out of the way. We do not own any case. We are involved in a case only so much as required to assure humane treatment and return home of U.S. citizens.
We will not trade one life for another in pursuit of this goal. This means conducting our operations in a manner that does not expose anyone to undue risk of harm.
We will not violate U.S. or international law. We cannot be effective if we work contrary to enforced law.
American Rescue Coalition was started by Mark Denman shortly after his brother’s capture in or around Venezuela around May 3rd of 2020.
ARC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization.
EIN: 85-1402446
Our Team
Mark Denman
Executive Director
mark@americanrescuecoalition.org
Mark is the brother of Luke Denman, who was captured, along with Airan Berry, by the government of Venezuela on or around May 3rd of 2020. Previous to founding ARC, Mark has worked in several organizational and management roles, was a founding member of the Austin Community College chapter of Amnesty International. Mark graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2019.
Mark’s role with American Rescue Coalition is organizing the international team of attorneys, investigators, and regional advisers who are working on Airan and Luke’s case.
Matthew Fitzgerald
Media/Web Development/Design
matt@americanrescuecoalition.org
Matt has worked for years in media like film, music, graphic design, audio production and design, software development, and video games.
He is using his experience to facilitate the production of media for ARC, including the ARC website.
Sarah Blake
Editor
Sarah@americanrescuecoalition.org
Sarah is Luke’s sister. She currently works as a speech language pathologist in a school district in the state of Washington. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 2017, receiving her M.S. in speech language pathology. Previously, she worked as a special education teacher in Texas public schools. She has also volunteered at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, The Bob Bullock Museum, and icouldbe.org.
Sarah helps create and edit updates and press releases for the ARC website, Facebook, GoFundMe, twitter, etc.
Our Partners
Veritas Assurance Partners is a boutique international consulting firm based in Miami, FL that is assisting us with strategic planning and analysis of complex issues in South America.
The team at Veritas has worked on nuanced international negotiations with extensive experience in geopolitical security matters. Veritas has particular experience and expertise in Latin America and countries experiencing instability and armed conflict.
Coalición por los Derechos Humanos are currently our legal council in Venezuela who defend and promote human rights.
In addition to engaging in the Venezuelan legal process, their efforts focus on assuring humane treatment; this includes proper nutrition and contact with family, among other things.