Journalist freed by Myanmar helps light menorah in Detroit
It wasnt a theme I thought about before the timing of my release and the timing of this event, but I think theres that obvious connection with bringing light to darkness in journalism, Fenster, who is Jewish, told the Detroit Free Press.The things that I was arrested for, being part of the news organisation thats trying to shed light on a very dark regime, seems obviously resonant to me. I cant imagine a better community to come home to, Fenster said during a reception prior to Sundays menorah lighting.
PTI | Detroit | Updated: 30-11-2021 18:41 IST | Created: 30-11-2021 18:41 IST
An American journalist who was recently freed after spending nearly six months in jail in military-ruled Myanmar helped light one of eight Hanukkah candles during a holiday celebration in downtown Detroit.
Danny Fenster, 37, joined elected and community leaders Sunday night for the "Menorah in the D" event marking the start of Hanukkah.
Fenster, who is from the Detroit suburb of Huntington Woods, was handed over Nov. 15 by Myanmar to former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson, who helped negotiate his release. He returned to the U.S. the following day.
Fenster, the managing editor of online magazine Frontier Myanmar, is one of more than 100 journalists, media officials and publishers who have been detained in the Southeast Asian country since its military ousted the elected government in February.
He was arrested on May 24 at Yangon International Airport and convicted of spreading false or inflammatory information, contacting illegal organisations and violating visa regulations. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison with hard labour. "It wasn't a theme I thought about before the timing of my release and the timing of this event, but I think there's that obvious connection with bringing light to darkness in journalism," Fenster, who is Jewish, told the Detroit Free Press.
"The things that I was arrested for, being part of the news organisation that's trying to shed light on a very dark regime, seems obviously resonant to me." "I can't imagine a better community to come home to," Fenster said during a reception prior to Sunday's menorah lighting. "And it's just made an already great, joyful situation even more joyful. Just had a lot of love and appreciation back home here in Detroit and metro Detroit, in the Jewish community and the wider community. It's just been incredible." Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan attended the ceremony saying none of the previous events have been as special as this year with the safe return of Fenster.
"This truly is a Happy Hanukkah in Detroit. God bless you," Duggan said before the lighting.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Huntington Woods
Mike Duggan
Menorah in D
Bill Richardson
Danny Fenster
Frontier Myanmar
Duggan
a Happy Hanukkah
Bangladesh: Fire rips through COVID treatment centre for Myanmar refugees
Myanmar reports 133 new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths
UNESCO chief denounces killing of reporter Sai Win Aung in Myanmar
Cambodia PM gets red-carpet welcome in Myanmar as visit sparks protests
Cambodia PM to visit Myanmar, pressing peace plan
Samsung launches 4nm Exynos 2200 SoC to redefine mobile gaming experience
HIGHLIGHTS-Tennis-Australian Open day two