Oakland County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairwoman Marcia Gershenson and Commissioner Charlie Cavell.
(Photo courtesy of Oakland County Board of Commissioner)
At its last meeting, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution recommending that the Biden administration and U.S. State Department act with urgency to secure the release of Danny Fenster, an American journalist. Fenster, a Huntington Woods native, had been working as a managing editor in Myanmar for the news organization Frontier Myanmar. He was detained on May 24 as he was boarding a flight home to the United States.
"We're heartbroken for Danny's family, and I wanted to help make sure we're exhausting all efforts to get him home," said Board Vice Chairwoman Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Twp.), who authored the resolution. "U.S. officials should be making every effort to ensure Danny is returned safely, so that the freedoms, safety, and human rights of our citizens are protected for all of us."
Fenster is one of approximately 80 journalists who have been arrested since February 2021, when the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. He is the fourth foreign journalist to be detained and is being held at Insein Prison in Yangon.
"Danny must be released immediately, and the Board recognizes this," Chairman David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak) said. "We will work with local and national leaders to ensure getting him home remains a top priority."
In addition to the Board of Commissioners, many local and U.S. officials have demonstrated their support for the Fenster family. The family has launched a petition and a website (https://bringdannyhome.com) to continue fighting for Danny Fenster's release.
"It is critical we continue advocating with Danny's family to keep the pressure high on our federal leaders," Commissioner Charlie Cavell (D-Ferndale) said. "We cannot allow Danny to fall through the cracks. His release needs to be guiding every foreign policy decision until he returns home safely."
For additional information about the Board of Commissioners, visit www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248- 858-0100.
