>>7354614Opposition parties were quick to act, fanning the flames of discontent and encouraging massive protests in every major city across the country, demanding Menunto’s resignation and for him to stand trial. Menunto’s forces acted harshly, military troops and state police open fired on protestors, killing hundreds and injuring thousands. Rafael found himself in the thick of it, reporting on the carnage as it happened and capturing it in the form of brutal photography.
It wasn’t long before a Military Coup brought an end to Menunto’s presidency. High-ranking officials within Clawombia’s military enacted the Coup, previously perceived as staunch loyalists of Menunto’s regime. Such thoughts were dashed with his execution at the paws of the usurpers. The new government attempted to restore order by cracking down on Members of Blue Flag, The Bolshevik Herald and other opposition political and journalist groups; arresting hundreds, including Rafael’s father. Soon they were enacting harsh penalties against any and all forms of opposition and the raiding of The Bolshevik Herald, Rafael fled with many other intellectuals and journalists from the country.
After arriving in Zootopia, Rafael joined about twenty other journalists in purchasing a small two-story building out at Pack Street. The group established it as the headquarters of the Free Clawombian Press, an independent newspaper firm with Rafael as its senior editor. Their activities caught the attention of MICE, and after a successful buyout, FCP was merged with MICE, bringing their message to a much wider audience. He bought an apartment on Slot Street, as a refuge from his work.
