JUNE 24 • 2021 | 25

OUR COMMUNITY

I

n an effort to spread aware-
ness to help free detained 
journalist Danny Fenster, a 
professionally designed web-
site at bringdannyhome.com 
is offering $20 
T-shirts with pro-
ceeds going to a 
charity of Fenster’s 
choice after he gets 
home.
Fenster, man-
aging editor 
for Frontier Myanmar, was 
detained on May 24 at Yangon 
International Airport shortly 
before boarding a flight on 
his way home to see family 
and friends. Fenster, currently 
being held in Insein Prison, is 
one of many journalists who 
has been detained, imprisoned 
or expelled from the country 
since a military coup took over 
Myanmar’s government in 
February.
The shirts are designed 
by Robbie Biederman, a 

Huntington Woods resident 
who is creative director at 
StockX, a Detroit e-commerce 
startup.
Biederman, a longtime friend 
of Danny Fenster’s brother 
Bryan, offered to assist Danny’s 
cause. Bryan suggested that he 
use his graphic design skills 
to design a T-shirt to spread 
awareness. Biederman was on 
board immediately.
“Bryan and I worked together 
on getting it out quickly; this 
was probably day two or three,
” 
Biederman said. “It was really 
early on, and he wanted to help 
spread the word. I just wanted 
to help in any way I could.
”
Biederman, with Bryan’s 
input, wanted the shirt design to 
have the patriotic feel of an old 
vintage campaign pin, specifi-
cally modeling it after President 
John F. Kennedy’s in 1960.
Along with the T-shirt, 
another way word is spread-
ing is through illustrations 

of Fenster being shared 
on social media using 
#BringDannyHome. Some of 
the illustrations are also dis-
played on the bringdannyhome.
com website. 
The gallery of illustrations 
is coordinated by New Yorker
cartoonist Amy Kurzweil, a 
34-year-old cousin of the cap-
tive who lives in California. She 
and several other New York 
cartoonists have sketches on the 
site. The gallery also includes 
contributions from California, 
Connecticut, Texas, Illinois and 
Canada. 
Biederman has participated 
with his own illustration (see 
below) and loves seeing the 
range of styles and skills for a 

great cause.
“It’s all for the greater cause of 
spreading the word, and I think 
the biggest thing we can do in 
a situation where we ultimately 
feel helpless is just making sure 
this story doesn’t fade and stays 
important,
” Biederman said. 
“
Anything that’s clickable on 
social media that’s of interest 
is going to help this cause, so 
every day as more and more 
people contribute to the art, it’s 
more things for people to look 
at; and it’s just going to gener-
ate more interest and keep this 
story from fading because the 
most dangerous thing that can 
happen is this story goes away 
from the news cycle, which is an 
uphill battle.
” 

Robbie
Biederman

Detention 
Extended

The Associated Press 
reported last week that 
Danny Fenster appeared 
before a judge inside Insein 
Prison, where he is being 
held. During the closed 
hearing, his detention was 
then extended for two 
more weeks. He faces a 
possible three-year prison 
term. Another hearing was 

scheduled for July 1.
 In the meantime, neither 
the U.S. State Department 
nor Frontier Myanmar, the 
online news magazine he is 
managing editor of, has had 
any contact with him.
 Since seizing power, the 
government has tried to 
silence the independent 
press by charging them 
with, among other things, 
“attempts to cause fear, 
spread false news.”

 The AP reports Frontier 
Myanmar says it was 
barred from Fenster’s 
court hearing, but he was 
represented by a lawyer. 
 The magazine stated, 
“We are still seeking 
information on the reason 
for Danny’s arrest and 
continued detention.” 
The State Department 
continues to seek access 
to him under the Vienna 
Convention.

Jailed journalist’s supporters 
fi
 ght for his release.

‘Free Danny’ 
T-Shirts

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

The T-shirt 
design by 
Biederman

Biederman’s illustration, which 
is included in the gallery.

