HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2021.06.17 - 34700MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #21278 June 17, 2021 By:
Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, Board Vice Chairperson
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — RECOMMEND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND U.S.
STATE DEPARTMENT TO ACT WITH URGENCY TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF DANNY FENSTER,
AMERICAN JOURNALIST, FROM MYANMAR AND SECURE HIS SAFE RETURN TO THE UNITED
STATES
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS on May 24, 2021, American journalist Danny Fenster, a U.S. citizen from Huntington Woods,
Michigan, was detained at the Yangon International Airport in Myanmar as he attempted to board a flight
to Kuala Lumpur; and
WHEREAS Mr. Fenster had been working as a managing editor in Myanmar for the news organization
Frontier Myanmar, an independent news outlet based in the County, and was on his way home to the United
States when he was detained; and
WHEREAS Mr. Fenster has reportedly been transferred to Insein Prison, which is notorious worldwide for
its inhumane conditions, abuse of inmates, and use of mental and physical torture. The reasons for his
detention remain unknown, and his news organization has been unable to contact him; and
WHEREAS the U.S. Department of State is monitoring the situation, but more can be done to secure Mr.
Fenster's release; and
WHEREAS the United States has a profound interest in preserving the freedom of the press worldwide in
order to guarantee direct access to independent information for all people. As a nation that is deeply
committed to protecting the freedoms, safety, and human rights of its citizens, U.S. officials should be
making every effort to ensure that Mr. Fenster is returned home safely.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges President
Biden and his administration and the U.S. Department of State to act with the utmost urgency to secure Mr.
Fenster's immediate, unconditional and safe release and return to the United States.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward
copies of this adopted resolution to the President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of State, the
members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the Governor of the State of Michigan, the State Senate
Majority and Minority leaders, the State House Speaker and Minority leader, and the members of the
delegation to the Michigan Legislature.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
Commissioner Maklia Gershenson
District #13, Board Vice Chairperson
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE VOTE:
Motion carried on a roll call vote with Kochenderfer absent.
Resolution #21278 June 17, 2021
Moved by Nelson seconded by Gershenson the resolution be adopted.
Discussion followed.
Vote on resolution:
AYES: Hoffman, Jackson, Joliet, Kochenderfer, Kowall, Kuhn, Long, Luebs, Markham,
McGillivray, Miller, Moss, Nelson, Weipert, Woodward, Cavell, Charles, Gershenson, Gingell. (19)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution was adopted.
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I HEREBY APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION
CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
ACTING PURSUANT TO MCL 45.559A (7)
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on June 17, 2021,
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan this 17th day of June, 2021,
Lisa Brown, Oakland County