A3: Reclaim Linderman! Part 3

Good evening my heroic friends,

Let us finish what we have started. This story must end, but what an end it shall be. If you have not already read Part 2, you can click here to do so.

From Earlier: “There, the meeting [with Mr. Boaz] ended. I was sent to the door wondering if this conversation was real, later receiving an email, truly providing no meaningful changes. Our talk came to nothing.”

I left in the deep dark, for all seemed hopeless, yet a commitment had been made to see this through, and not to give into despair. Whatever it took, our voices would be heard. Our rights will no longer be impinged! If the librarians were going to deny our liberties and reject our honest pleas for this humble request for a quiet place to work, then we must send a message that cannot be denied.

While deep in thought, something in the corner of the eye seized my attention: a simple promotional poster. And that is when an idea hit me, a wonderful, awful idea. Why we could do same and share a message, yet this would be no announcement for a mere bake sale, but a rallying cry for the students.

And off like a jackal, I dashed to FML to craft, to build, to breathe life into a sheet capable of touching the hearts, and maybe even the souls of our fellow countrymen here at Lehigh. Yet the hour was late, and if not today, then never would this be done. So little time as the minutes ticked down, sweat beaded from the forehead and the heart palpitated rapidly. With the last few letters touching the page, I wondered, could it be…

Finished! Now, leaping to the printers like a gazelle in the plains of the Serengeti, I strove to bring life to the page for to feel its effect can only be done in the flesh. Minutes go by, and then there it lay warm and golden like a marshmallow drawn from the flames waiting to peeled off and consumed.

With these in my hands, the real work begins. Bursting out into the late evening cold, I set to work applying these to any door that can be found. Like a hunter stalking his prey, no space was left unturned. From Taylor Gym to Hawks Nest to the gates of Linderman herself all were illuminated in righteousness, Huzzah! At the doors of FML, whence it all began, the last pamphlet left my grip. The die had been cast. All that could be done is to wait.

The next day upon waking, a feeling came upon me that was truly surreal. All the striving no longer felt wasted, yet had purpose and would matter. It was a day of rest for this fight will be long and arduous. In the end, the good will triumph. We will have a place where the students can study and work in peace.

Yet, as like a storm brewing on the horizon, I could feel that tomorrow would not be so calm. The beast had awoken and its throat began to roar.

The next day I knew the battle had begun again as many of our posters had been torn down and discarded. Soon, an email appears in my inbox: a message from the Dean, Director Evans. It seems that our statement had gotten their attention.

This time however, we would be prepared. Already in the belly of the beast with no chance to escape, all that could be done is to see this through. At noon, I arrived at Williams Hall and the meeting started. In an instant I had pulled out my phone and began to record, for no longer shall any words be turned for malevolent deeds.

The reason behind this meeting may pass beyond belief. The cops had been called in to arrest me (the reason why you will find out soon enough), yet in their wise judgement that would not be a proper solution to the issue, and so maybe the dean could solve the problem. That is right, it was attempted to have me silenced and sent to the Soviet gulags of the Siberian Plain.

As you can imagine this was quite a shock. Me, a poor innocent soul, sentenced to such torture. It was like that of Job and his unexplained sufferings. What could I have done to deserve such treatment? All that was made was a meager request on behalf of the well-being of the students. So much for their tolerance and inclusivity!

Still, we had quite a nice conversation, as she was just trying to understand the problem. However, I made it quite clear that there will be no bending on this issue because We Will Not Alter, We Will Not Negotiate, We Will Not Compromise until our demands have been met. This of course, you can trust was said with all the kindness and sweetness of your daring knight.

From there it was off to the station house, to speak to the police themselves. There, I meet with the Chief of the Police Officer Houtz, who was another very respectable person. He told me that I had terrified the librarians, and they felt threatened for their safety. That’s right, I’m a killer folks, a menace to society! If you upset me, you’ll end up buried in the woods of Lehigh. We also spoke about the posting policy, which one of these days I’ll do a newsletter on: it’s a communist regime. So, “technically” we are not allowed to put fliers up, but when has that ever stopped us. Every time you see a poster, it is a symbol that we are battling against the system itself.

And that concludes the story, bringing us to the present, or at least when I created this website. Since October 3rd we have:

Much more is planned for the future so please stay tuned!

Here are some weekly updates:

Your humble servant, Francisco Pereira