My dearest New York,
Every September I am reminded of the war that started 23 years ago and the war that the vampires declared themselves winners. The real truth was they were not winners. Supernaturals hid for such a long time, afraid of what would happen when they came forward, afraid of how they would be treated, that they became the monsters that the stories said they were. While some believe that vampires, and other supernaturals, are right where they ought to be, that's not what I believe. How can it possibly be when so many people are hurting under the weight of their oppression?
Since taking up office, I have banned slavery. Yet I am not naïve enough to believe it has stopped. We have people, claiming to be leaders, who encourage and celebrate slavery. We have people who continue to own and sell. I am not here to talk about their criminal actions or the actions that are being taken place to stop their activities, though, I do hope you believe there are such actions being taken.
I am declaring September 25 a day of remembrance: for those who were lost during the war, for that we have lost because of the war and for that we continue to lose.
We will be holding a candle lit vigil at Columbia University starting at dusk. This will be a safe place to remember and, hopefully, to find hope in a new path where there is no oppression of the people.
Yours,
Aidan Niven