Dear Change Activists: Thank you for your support in 2016. We wish you all the best in 2017. As we begin a new year filled with possibilities we thank you for keeping Danilo’s plight for justice in your discussions. Unfortunately, we have further complicated news out of Cuba in regards to Danilo Maldonado Machado “El Sexto” and his continued arbitrary detention in Cuba. 1. Cuban State Police have been arbitrarily harassing people that know Danilo without cause. His attorney U.S. born Kimberly Motley was detained twice while attempting to work on his case. She is now in the U.S. again. Danilo’s sister was detained and accused of putting posters for his release in Havana. That of course is not illegal in any rational sense, but she had not put the posters up and had nothing to do with them. She was threatened with 3 months in prison. Danilo’s close friend was detained, supposedly for driving his sister. Arbitrary detentions have escalated not gone down, since the death of Fidel Castro. 2. Danilo has been unwell. He suffers from Asthma and the conditions in the jail are very poor. There is mold and mildew, but also it is infested with roaches. Roach droppings cause tremendous respiratory problems and he has been having breathing problems. 3. Danilo’s family has been unable to locate Asthma inhalers to bring to him in local pharmacies. The Cuban pharmacies have not had any. And they are now seeking to find some in tourist ones if there are any. We have serious concerns for his health. 4. Danilo is not receiving medical care for his Asthma in prison. We share with you the address to write directly to President Mr. Raul Castro and the Cuban Ambassador in the U.S. Please make sure to express your concerns for human rights, arbitrary detentions and Danilo Maldonado Machado’s health if you choose to write. You may write in any language you feel most comfortable with. We graciously ask that the letters focus on the matter of law, arbitrary detentions, human rights and health, and a call for the immediate release of the peaceful artist and activist. Although, we understand that feelings become very charged when injustice happens, we ask that your letters speak of justice and human rights and not be inflammatory. We thank you very much for your continued support. Please share the news with others. We greatly appreciate you and we have attached one of his drawings from prison. Thank you! Contact officials by January 27, 2017: President of the Republic of Cuba Mr. Raúl Castro Ruz Presidente de la República de Cuba La Habana, Cuba Fax: +41 22 758-9431 (Cuba Office in Geneva) New York: 1 212 779-1697 (Cuban Mission to UN) Email: cuba@un.int (c/o Cuban Mission to UN) Salutation: Dear President Mr. Raúl Castro Ruz Ambassador Jose Cabañas Embassy of Cuba 2630 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20009 Tel: (202) 797-8518 I Fax: (202) 797-0606 Email: recepcion@sicuw.org Salutation: Dear Ambassador Mr. Jose Cabañas