As has often happened in November, the balance of power in America has shifted. A great change, completely unexpected by many, was due to start after the end of the year. Quite naturally, many groups around the country started to worry about what the upcoming future will hold. That fear was quite poignant in Lyre and the growing community of Animalia. The reaching hand of friendship and understatement seemed to be snatched away. Quite a lot of the citizens were worried what will happen to their little community. Will the government that had helped them get set up be replaced with one that had a dismal view of anyone different?
Fortunately, before panic could take hold, Mayor Clara addressed the population. The uplifted cougar sat behind her custom desk, looking slightly rattled herself. But her Deputy Mayor Robby put a hand on her shoulder in comfort and she was able to begin, "Citizens of Animalia, I'm not going to mince words with you. Our expectations with the next term's government has been dashed. Instead of the politicians who have been promising equality and justice, their opponents have rode into office on a tide of hate and fear. The times ahead could be rough for us Animalians. If the humans are so willing to discriminate among themselves, they could be just as willing to turn against those who are not even of their own species.
"But this isn't something we're not prepared against. Ever since the beginning of Animalia, we have been working hard to be accepted by the human world at large. The 10 Edicts of Animalia show that we are just as civilized as the rest of them and we are no threat to humans. We will not let this setback dehumanize us. We shall rise over any racism directed at us. We shall continue to try to extend a better understanding of ourselves to the outside world. The International Animalian Convention will proceed as scheduled, but now we must work harder than ever to prove that we do deserve the right to coexist with humanity. I urge our ambassadors to work even harder to reach out to others and connect. And while you may fear for your future, know that others in power stand in opposition to those who have such narrow viewpoints. The most extreme of their promises shall not be fulfilled, though there may still be hardships to come. The only way we can withstand this is by staying together. Our opponents seek to divide this nation, we shall oppose them by staying together. Don't let fear rule you. Thank you and goodnight."
Clara's words did work to calm down the populace, but there was still worry. The work to improve Animalian relationships might have been made harder, but they were still going to persevere.