America: From a Fallen Child Star to the Head of the University of the West

February 1, Philadelphia.

Three days after the city planning meeting concluded, the 76ers and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment released a joint statement.

The statement was worded diplomatically, neither admitting defeat nor abandoning its ambitions.

They stated that they would "strategically postpone" the development of the new arena project in the Fashion District, and emphasized that "dialogue with Philadelphia's communities will continue." They also announced that they would engage in "constructive multi-party consultations" with the city government, the South Philadelphia Sports Complex Board, and Comcast over the next two to three months.

Well, it's completely incomprehensible... but in layman's terms it means:

We'll postpone the construction for now and discuss the whole thing later.

However, this was enough for Chinatown and Sean.

Sean, in particular, immediately posted a celebratory video on his social media, declaring it a "victory for public opinion" and a "victory for community power."

The background of the video is the Friendship Gate in Chinatown. Sean is standing next to Cao Yiqian and several representatives of Chinese merchants, and everyone's face is full of smiles.

The video garnered over two million views within 24 hours, and the hashtag "#SaveChinatown" once again trended on social media, propelling him to unprecedented heights of fame.

But this is only the beginning, because struggles are never accomplished overnight.

In addition, there are some legal matters waiting for him to handle!

In the campaign office, Sean and Vincent sat facing each other.

A pile of legal documents was spread out on the table, all related to the indictment filed by the New Jersey prosecutors.

“Pan, the situation is more complicated than I expected,” Vincent sighed. “The New Jersey prosecutors are taking a very tough stance. They’re not only charging you with sedition, but they’re also trying to add a charge of ‘interstate sedition.’”

"Incitement across state lines?" Sean said with a forced smile. "I said a few words on a podcast in Texas, and that counts as incitement across state lines?"

"Their logic is: your comments on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' spread to New Jersey via the internet, directly leading to the gathering of protesters and subsequent violence."

"If this logic holds true, then every internet celebrity should be in jail." Sean chuckled coldly.

"It's certainly a stretch," Vincent nodded. "But New Jersey is clearly trying to cause you trouble. I suspect someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"Who?"

"It could be someone from the 76ers, or it could be some forces in the New Jersey state government that are unhappy with you," Vincent pondered. "You made them lose face in Camden, and they want revenge."

"Mr. Carter," Sean asked after only a few seconds of silence, "how should we proceed?"

"I am prepared to cite the precedent set in the 1968 Chicago Seven case."

"The Chicago Seven?" Sean vaguely recognized the name; it sounded like a movie with that title, but he couldn't quite recall the details. "What case was it?"

"During the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Chicago saw massive anti-Vietnam War protests that eventually escalated into clashes between police and protesters," Vincent explained. "Afterward, the federal government indicted seven... or protest leaders, accusing them of 'inciting riots across state lines.'"

"That sounds a lot like my situation," Sean said.

“That’s right. But in the end, most of those seven people were acquitted or had their charges overturned.” Vincent’s eyes gleamed with confidence. “The reason is simple: the First Amendment protects free speech. Unless the prosecution can prove that your speech is directed at inciting an imminent illegal act and that such an act is ‘highly likely to occur,’ your speech is protected political expression.”

"What you said on the podcast, although strongly worded, was essentially a call for people to pay attention to social injustice, not a direct incitement to violence. Chen Kaiwen's decision to shoot was his own, and it has no direct causal relationship with you."

"So you think I can win?"

“I think we have a very good chance of winning.” Vincent closed the file. “Besides, this case itself is a great publicity opportunity. If the New Jersey prosecutors really take you to court, they’ll be helping you build momentum.”

"But what if they actually hand this over to the federal government to handle?"

"I don't think so. Isn't this a hot potato?"

Sean was full of praise after hearing this.

Just then, his phone rang.

"Feed?"

A familiar voice came from the other end of the phone: "Mr. Pan, this is Officer Brown. Could you please come to Philadelphia Police Headquarters at 3 p.m. this afternoon? There are some things I need to verify with you."

Sean glanced at Vincent, who immediately nodded in understanding.

It seems that Pennsylvania prosecutors are going to tighten their control over Sean.

"No problem, Officer Brown. I'll be there on time."

……

3 p.m., Philadelphia Police Headquarters.

Sean, accompanied by Vincent, entered the gray building.

Officer Brown was already waiting for them in the reception area. The white officer's expression was more solemn than when he last met Sean.

【-45】.

It's three points lower than before. It seems recent events have caused this officer's opinion of him to decline.

"Mr. Pan, please come with me." Brown didn't waste any time with pleasantries. "Please leave your lawyer outside. If you need him, you can ask to have him come in later."

"Okay. Mr. Carter... you can stay outside for now."

"Okay," Vincent said.

Brown then led Sean directly into an interrogation room.

The interrogation room was simply furnished: a metal table, a few chairs, and a video camera running in the corner.

Brown sat across the table and opened a folder.

"Mr. Pan, I need to confirm a few things." His tone was businesslike. "Where have you been in the past week?"

"Downtown Philadelphia, Chinatown, City Hall, and the campaign office in North Philadelphia," Sean answered truthfully. "Oh, and a trip to Austin, Texas, to record a podcast."

"You seem to have missed one place, which is Camden, New Jersey," Brown said, frowning.

"Oh..." Sean nodded slowly. "Thanks for the reminder."

Are you playing dumb?

"No, I just simply forgot."

Brown stared at him for a few seconds, then wrote something down on the document.

【-twenty four】

Hopefully, Brown won't fabricate any baseless accusations against him...

"There's one more thing," Brown's tone grew increasingly stern. "Do you have any new information to provide regarding the investigation into the Avalon Foundation?"

"No." Sean's expression remained unchanged. "I haven't changed a single word I said before."

"Not a single word changed?"

Not a single word changed!

"But that piece of evidence..."

"What evidence?" Sean interrupted him. "You mean the evidence of the document that 'mysteriously disappeared' during transport? Officer Brown, that's your police department's responsibility, not mine."

Brown's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but he didn't react.

The questioning lasted for nearly an hour. Brown asked a great deal of questions, from Sean's daily routine to his social relationships, leaving no detail unexplored.

And then Brown suddenly mentioned at the end:

"Mr. Pan, considering your current situation, we originally planned to equip you with electronic monitoring equipment."

Yes, he did intend to do that. However, his colleagues didn't think it would be useful; on the contrary, it would only embolden Sean, this mastermind. But his pride still made him want to use this incident to put down this young man who seemed to have nothing to lose.

"Electronic ankle bracelets?" Sean raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"

You're insane!

"This is standard procedure," Brown said without batting an eye. "You now face two charges and are at risk of fleeing."

"I'm going on the run?" Sean laughed. "Officer Brown, I'm one of the most talked-about people in the country right now. Where am I supposed to run to? The moon?"

"I have not been convicted, and you have no evidence to suggest that I have any intention to flee, right? If you insist on doing this, I will immediately apply to the court for an emergency injunction."

Brown obediently shut his mouth and finally sighed.

That damn bastard!

"Never mind." He waved his hand. "You can go now, Mr. Pan. But remember, always keep your contact information up-to-date."

“Of course.” Sean stood up. “Officer Brown, I’ve always cooperated with the police. I hope you can find the real killer as soon as possible, instead of wasting your time on me.”

After saying that, he swaggered out of the interrogation room. Brown watched as he and Vincent walked away. Before leaving, Sean glanced back at Brown; Brown's favorability rating towards him had dropped to -55.

……

He was greatly surprised as he walked out of the police headquarters.

The area outside the door was packed with people. A police officer standing nearby looked on with a headache.

These people were holding various signs, some of which read "Release Sean" and others "Long live freedom of speech".

"Sean! Sean! Sean!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as soon as he appeared.

Sean paused for a second, then flashed a friendly smile. He waved to the crowd, eliciting even louder cheers.

Behind the glass doors of the police headquarters, Officer Brown watched this scene and shook his head helplessly.

"This guy..." he muttered under his breath, "What a troublemaker."

A young officer standing nearby couldn't help but ask, "Officer, do you really think he's guilty?"

Brown ignored him and simply replied coldly, "Young man, this is not something I can decide."