By Ashanti Lee Seabron
(DETROIT) Michigan political leaders and the family of Danny Fenster, a journalist from Metro Detroit, are trying to bring him back home after he was detained in militarily-ruled Myanmar last week, WXYZ Detroit reports.
Fenster, 37, from Huntington Woods, Michigan, is the managing editor of the "Frontier Myanmar" magazine, and has been employed by the magazine since last year. He attended Berkley High School, and got his master's degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Throughout his professional career, he has worked as a journalist in both the U.S. and Asia.
In February, The Myanmar military overthrew the country's elected government and seized control. In the midst of the coup, Fenster continued his work as Managing Editor of the "Frontier Myanmar" magazine.
While he was at the Yangon International Airport in Myanmar preparing to fly home on May 24, Fenster was detained and then jailed. Before being detained, Fenster was able to text his wife, who resides in Myanmar, a message that read "I'm being detained, call the embassy.”
On Monday, "Frontier Myanmar" sent out a tweet calling for "the immediate and unconditional release of managing editor Danny Fenster, who was detained a week ago at Yangon International Airport."
Buddy Fenster, Danny's father, talked about the agony of the situation, and how days feel longer than they should.
“Every day is a week," Buddy said. "You’re just constantly looking at your phone, you’re constantly calling, you’re constantly following up."
The Fenster family is planning on quickly launching a website, and are using the hashtag #bringdannyhome on social media in order to bring awareness to the situation.
On Sunday, Buddy and Rose Fenster, Danny's parents, appeared on CNN's "Reliable Sources" show hosted by Brian Stelter to discuss the situation.
Michigan Rep. Andy Levin is also concerned about Danny's well-being, and alongside other elected Michigan political leaders, wrote a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urging him to assist in helping Danny get released from prison.
Furthermore, Levin says he has been in contact with the U.S. ambassador in Myanmar in order to learn more about the situation.
Levin gave his reasoning as to why Danny's imprisonment is unwarranted.
“If you look at what Danny was doing, he’s doing straight-up journalism,” Levin said. "He was helping the people of Myanmar and the world learn the truth of what was happening there and that is a great public service.”
According to the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, since the Myanmar military's coup, they have arrested more than 5,500 people. Of this number, nearly 4,500 still find themselves detained, and 840 have been killed.
The online petition regarding Danny's release from prison can be viewed here.