Dear Heroes of France Formerly Known as Students,

I am writing to all of you to thank you for the inspiration and hope that you have given to a world in desperate need of both, a world where bad guys are bad guys and so are the good guys.

In the face of injustice, where the wealthy and the powerful counted on the complicity and silence of everyone, you learned the power of “no.”

You said laws are not laws if they serve injustice.

You said the capacity to oppress does not make it right to oppress.

You said you would not go back to your assigned seats until your demands were met.

Heroes formerly known as students—1

The wealthy and powerful who make bad rules—0

Final Score

You saved a 15 year-old girl from a terrible injustice and you have shocked the Republic of France, which is instituting reforms. This is a cause for celebration. You have made history.

But I remind you, we live in a world gone mad. You have saved a 15 year-old today, but what of her future, and yours, and all of ours? In a world of seven billion people, almost all of us have become invisible and silent, but you have learned to glow in bright and radiant colors; you have spoken with a voice that echoes across oceans.

Please don’t hand power back to oppressors. Please don’t return to your assigned seats.

You saved a 15 year-old girl.

Now there’s a world to save.

No more wars. No more immigration control. No more spying. No more privileges for the ruling elite and struggle for bread for the rest of us.

You cannot stop now.

There is a future to save.

The truth is dangerous. Stay dangerous.

Freedom,

 

Sean Swain

Ohio State Penitentiary

Fascist States of America

31 October 2013