Bricklynites flocked to the polls yesterday, with 85% of registered voters turning out. Photo by Bricklyn Eagle staffer Ann Tiler Anderson.
Bricklyn voters sent a clear message to the French Parliament yesterday by endorsing, by a 72% to 28% margin, Bricklyn’s joining the French Republic. The referendum easily cleared the 65% threshold needed for passage.
Crowds of enthusiastic supporters gathered downtown to celebrate passage of the referendum.
Leaders of the Yes/Oui to Association with France thanking supporters at Bricklyn University’s main quad after election results announced. Bill Tiler French with red shirt; Patsy Brickerson with yellow shirt. Photo rendering by Dall E-3 AI, with prompts from Bricklyn Eagle staffer Ann Tiler Anderson.
The final step in the process will take place on May 14th when the French Parliament convenes to vote on ratification of the Franco-Bricklyn agreement.
Screenshot from PSA aired to encourage Bricklynites to vote, and briefly explaining the referendum. Image rendered with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
Note: for those of you just now tuning in to this major development in the history of the Realm of Bricklyn, please take a look at the Bricklyn Eagle’s earlier coverage; links can be found at the top of this page.
Looking back, the only real surprise with the Bricklyn vote is that the win for “Yes to Association” was not surprising, as several polls released last week accurately forecast the result.
Feelings were especially bubbly at the “Yes / Oui to Association” coalition’s election night party in the grand ballroom of the Alliance Française Building (AFB) in downtown Bricklyn Junction, as champagne flowed freely. Bill Tiler French, who along with Patsy Brickerson and Jeannette Brickehl, were leaders of the “Yes” campaign, were jubilant. “This is terrific news,” exclaimed French, who also serves as the AFB’s treasurer, adding that “our confidence in Bricklyn votes has been fully justified.”
Jammed election night watch party for the YES / OUI forces was held in the ornate ballroom of the Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française. Photo rendering by Dall E-3 AI, with prompts from Bricklyn Eagle staffer Ann Tiler Anderson.
For Patsy Brickerson it was an evening of nervous energy, “I was very concerned about the high threshold needed to pass the referendum,” she told us, “but I put that aside since there was much to do in organizing ‘une sélection de desserts’ for the two hundred guests expected for our election night watch party. Thanks go to Chef Christophe Plater Poulin and his ‘equipe’ at L’Étoile du Nord for preparing the array of desserts.”
It was left to Brickehl to sound a cautionary note. “Of course I’m excited,” she said, “but we still have to win the vote in the French Parliament. Then we can truly celebrate and raise Bricklyn’s new flag.” But, Brickehl added, “while It was a milestone to have the unanimous support of Parliament’s Delegation of the Overseas, a dozen of us will still be flying to Paris to make sure the French Parliament is aware of Bricklyn’s strong support for becoming the fourteenth member of France Overseas.”
Angus Brickerson (right) with his friend Molly B. Williams after the election results were announced. Photo rendered with assistance of Dall E-3 AI.
The “No to Association” camp soothed their disappointment by gathering at the Dunk Them Donuts shop across the street from the East End Ward 7 polling place.
One of their leaders, Angus Brickerson (no relation to Patsy Brickerson), put a brave face on the defeat while munching on a strawberry frosted donut:
“Look, we lost,” said Brickerson, “but we’ll work together as Bricklynites. Fortunately, through our efforts we got the Bricklyn negotiators to have the agreement limited to a four year trial period, after which it will expire unless renewed by Bricklyn voters. Kind of ironic that getting this ‘sunset’ provision into the agreement helped the ‘Yes’ vote pass.” ✥
To the Editor: is there an iceberg ahead? I heard that some of the Overseas France delegates to the French National Assembly feel that Parliament’s Overseas Delegation Committee rammed though its recommendation to the full French Parliament to approve Bricklyn’s entry into the French Republic. The feeling, apparently, is that the French government will use Bricklyn’s entry as a way of drawing attention away from serious problems facing several of the countries that are currently part of Overseas France. — Noel T., Paris, France
To the Editor: While I appreciate reader Noel T’s concerns about “an iceberg ahead,” let’s not lose sight of the fact that the real problem we’re facing in the days ahead is not from an iceberg, but from “ICE.” We’re counting on France to give us its full support by promptly approving Bricklyn’s entry into the French Republic. At the same time, this should in no way impede the French government from addressing any problems members of France d’outre-mer may be facing. — Judith Tiler Molson, Bricklyn, VT.
Parliament’s Délégation aux Outre-Mer Recommends Bricklyn Become Part of French Republic
The first of three key steps in the process of Bricklyn becoming part of the French Republic as a French Overseas Collectivity was accomplished today when the French Parliament’s Delegation on Overseas Territories voted unanimously to recommend to Parliament approval of Bricklyn’s bid to join the French Republic.
The next step will be Bricklyn’s scheduled May 1st referendum on joining the French Republic as an “overseas collectivity” for a four year “trial period.” If passed by two-thirds of Bricklyn voters, the final step will be approval by the French Parliament of this association.
The French Parliament’s “Délégation aux outre-mer,” which met yesterday, is made up of 54 deputies from the French National Assembly — including all 27 deputies elected from overseas constituencies, who are automatic members — and 42 members from the French Senate, equally divided between 21 senators from overseas departments and collectivities, and 21 from metropolitan France.
Photo on left: Manuel Valls, France’s Minister of State and of the Overseas (and former Prime Minister) at a meeting of the Délégation aux outre-mer in March. Photo on right shows Valls seated next to David Rimane (center), President of the Délégation. Photos from videotape of March meeting.
Manuel Valls, France’s Minister of the Overseas, spoke forcefully in favor of Bricklyn’s admission into the French Republic, saying that: “We respect the freedom-loving Bricklynites, despite their small size and Danish origins, and honor their foresight in seeking union with the French Republic during the challenging times we all face. We offer them our hand in liberty, fraternity, and equality. On approval from their citizenry and then from our Parliament, we look forward to Bricklyn becoming the fourteenth member of France outre-mer.”
Davy Rimane, President of the National Assembly delegation, and deputy for French Guiana, also welcomed Bricklyn’s upcoming membership in the French Republic — of course, pending approval by Bricklyn voters, and then by the French Parliament .
As Rimane noted, “Our action today in unanimously recommending to Parliament Bricklyn’s entry into France outre-mer as an Oversea Collectivity, not only recognizes the needs of the Realm of Bricklyn, but is an important first step in acknowledging the value that all Inland realms bring to the world. We are confident that Bricklyn will lead the way in strengthening ties between Inland and Outland nations and realms. We have much to learn from each other.”
The Bricklyn Eagle will be reporting next on the results of the Bricklyn referendum vote, slated to be held this coming Thursday, May 1, 2025.
To the Editor: Qu’est-ce que se passe ici. Vous êtes fou! Il y a beaucoup de problèmes avec la France d’outre-mer. Vous ne comprenez rien! Pour ceux d’entre vous qui parlent français, jetez un coup d’œil à cette vidéo sur l’outre-mer: les raisons de la colère. — Marcel Gireaux, Montpellier, France
To the Editor: It’s with great excitement and appreciation that I read your article on the vote of the French Parliament’s Delegation on France Overseas. We’re on our way to Bricklyn becoming part of the glorious French Republic! The Alliance Française of Bricklyn has been mounting a “get out the vote” drive for the May 1st referendum. We’re counting on a very large turnout in favor of association with France. — Bill Tiler French, Bricklyn Jct., Vermont.
ICE officers can create a significantly larger presence than Bricklyn police. Rendering prepared with assistance of Dall E-3 AI.
But having said that, I’m even more concerned about the threats we face in Bricklyn every day from U.S. ICE.
Sure we made an agreement with Vermont that gave us control over a a sliver of land in Vermont for our homeland, and yes we have ID cards that allow us to travel in Vermont, but would the current U.S. government honor this? I have my doubts. So … I’m willing to have us join France overseas, at least for the four year trial period agreed to. — Rolf Tiler Robinson, South Bricklyn, VT.
Word leaked yesterday that Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, would be withdrawing Denmark from a draft agreement with Bricklyn and France to integrate half of the Realm of Bricklyn into the Danish Kingdom and half into the French Republic.
According to an unnamed source within the Danish government, Frederiksen and others in leadership positions had grown increasingly concerned that the draft agreement for Bricklyn to associate with Denmark (as well as with France) might trigger action by U.S. President Donald Trump to further escalate tariffs placed on Denmark and “raise the temperature” over control of Greenland, currently a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen; leader of the Moderaterne centrist party; and former Prime Minister. News Oresund, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In response to requests from The Bricklyn Eagle and other media outlets for comment, Victor Berger, spokesperson for the Danish Foreign Ministry, this morning acknowledged that Denmark would, in fact, be withdrawing from the proposed trilateral agreement.
As Berger explained, “It was determined there was not sufficient support in the Folketing [Danish Parliament] to approve the agreement with Bricklyn. After conferring with our colleagues in France and in Bricklyn, it was concluded that we would withdraw from the proposed agreement, while France would move forward with offering to integrate all of the Realm of Bricklyn into the French Republic.”
Navigating its way with the new American administration has proven tricky for Denmark, especially given U.S. President Trump’s repeated statements about acquiring Greenland and his tariff threats.
According to reporting from the BBC, “Faced with what many in Denmark are calling Trump’s ‘provocation,’ [Prime Minister] Frederiksen has broadly attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, repeatedly referring to the U.S. as ‘Denmark’s closest partner’. … Frederiksen’s comments also speak to the Danish resolve not to meddle in the internal affairs of Greenland -– an autonomous territory with its own parliament and whose population is increasingly leaning towards independence.”
Just two days ago Frederiksen, visiting Greenland, pleaded with the Trump administration to not seek to annex Greenland:
The flag of Denmark will not fly over the Realm of Bricklyn. Rendering provided with assistance of Dall E-3 AI.
Danish foreign policy analyst Rolf Jorgensen told us that “Incorporating Bricklyn– albeit a sliver of America less than 0.25 acres in size — into Denmark likely came to be viewed by Frederiksen and others as unnecessarily provocative to the United Sates, like waving a red flag at an angry bull.”
“What’s more,” explained Jorgensen, “Danish concerns about the fate of Bricklynites concerned about being deported from their homeland have been assuaged by the fact that France, a much larger and more powerful nation than Denmark, has indicated its willingness to incorporate the entire Realm of Bricklyn into the French Republic. This has offered a face-saving way for Denmark to exit from the draft trilateral agreement.”
The Bricklyn Eagle has also confirmed from sources within the French Ministry of the Overseas that France remains committed to having Bricklyn join France as an overseas territory, allowing Bricklyn to retain autonomy over its domestic affairs, while providing the Vermont-based LEGO realm the security and economic benefits of being integrated into the French Republic.
The Bricklyn Eagle has reached out to Bricklyn’s Department of Outland Affairs for comment on this latest twist. We have been told that Secretary Guillaume de Bricklain will issue a statement later in the day, which we will publish as soon as it is available. ✥
Update: April 5, 2025, 8 pm EDT
Bricklyn Secretary of Outland Affairs Guillaume de Bricklain. Photo by Bricklyn Eagle staffer Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance of Dall E-3 AI.
Statement by Department of Outland Affairs Secretary Guillaume de Bricklain
The Bricklyn Department of Outland Affairs was informed this morning by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Denmark will not be participating in an agreement that would have associated half of the Realm of Bricklyn with the Kingdom of Denmark, and half with the Republic of France.
While we regret this decision, we are heartened that the French government has reaffirmed its commitment to Bricklyn, and has agreed to the incorporation of the entire Realm of Bricklyn into the French Republic as an overseas territory. This will provide Bricklyn, during these turbulent times, with important security guarantees, as well as economic benefits. As previously negotiated, the agreement with France will run for a term of four years, with the possibility of it subsequently being made permanent.
The Realm of Bricklyn, in turn, will promote the membership of the five French Lego realms in the League of Inland Cities, the powerful LEGO-based trading block headquartered here in Bricklyn.
I also want to note that we have kept key officials in the Vermont Governor’s Office; the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office; and the Vermont Legislature informed of our negotiations. I am happy to report that Vermont’s leaders have been fully supportive of our arrangement with France, which will not in any way adversely affect Vermont.
In fact, the enhanced tourism expected from citizens of France and other EU countries coming to Bricklyn as a result of this agreement will also benefit Vermont, especially the state’s Outerlands area close to the Bricklyn / Vermont border.
I can also announce today that Brick Air has agreed to start daily nonstop flights between Bricklyn and Paris, France, within two months of the adoption of this agreement. This will be welcome news for the LEGO realms of both France and Bricklyn.
Finally, I want to make special mention of the invaluable help provided during this process by members of the Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française. We look forward to their continued active engagement with the upcoming referendum.
Members of the Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française in front of their headquarters, which also houses the Bricklyn Innovation Center. Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance of Dall E-3 AI.
What remains to be done, of course, is for the Bricklyn / France agreement to be ratified, first by the French parliament — with a vote expected on Tuesday, April 22nd — and then by the citizens of Bricklyn through a referendum, now scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th.
The Bricklyn Department of Outland Affairs will continue to provide updates as necessary.
Thank you. Merci.
Guillaume de Bricklain, Secretary Bricklyn Department of Outland Affairs
To the Editor: As a former member of the Folketing, I want to raise another issue that I am certain played into the concerns of at least some members of our parliament when reviewing the proposed Bricklyn-Denmark-France agreement. What I’m talking about may well be, as you may call it, the “elephant in the room.” It is about memories of the departure 45 years ago of thousands of our LEGO peoples from Denmark to a new home in the American state of Vermont. In emigrating, they blamed Danes — among the most tolerant people in the world — for intolerance of their (ironically called) “human rights.”
Rendering prepared by Bricklyn Eagle staffer Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
Let’s not sweep under the rug the raw feelings many Danes still have when considering the ingratitude of thousands of LEGO people leaving their Danish homeland, the country that gave birth to them, so to speak — though more accurately these so-called people are simply plastic “minifigures” designed and manufactured here.
While we admire what Bricklynites have made of their American enclave, and understand their concerns about the new American president, it is still hard for some of us to let go of grievances about their emigration from Denmark to Bricklyn, though that singular event happened many years ago. — H. Christian Andersen, Bilund, Denmark.
To the Editor: I’m not going to say “I told you so,” but … . The bottom line is that Denmark for a variety of reasons has now made the right decision in withdrawing from an agreement that initially was to be just between Bricklyn and France. There will be no need for a border splitting the Realm of Bricklyn in half. Instead all of Bricklyn will become a part of the French Republic as an honored overseas territory. Of course, we Bricklynites will retain full autonomy in all our internal affairs, and the role of our Federal Council will change only in terms of dealing with the Outland world. Now we have a referendum to pass in three weeks! — Bill Tiler French, Bricklyn Jct., VT.
To the Editor: As a proud Vermonter, but these days an embarrassed American, I’m glad that Bricklyn officials have apparently worked out a security arrangement with France. The people of France , Vermont, and Bricklyn share the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. We welcomed the heroic Marquis de Lafayette to Vermont in 1825 , and look forward to Bricklynites being able to welcome their new French compatriots soon. — M.L, South Burlington, VT.
To the Editor: I must take exception to the comments to the editor left by Mr. H. Christian Anderson, as well as the failure of the Folketing to allow half of Bricklyn to associate with Denmark as a semi-autonomous territory in the Danish Realm. If the Folketing’s inaction was due, as Anderson suggests, to long-held grievances against the LEGO people who emigrated to Bricklyn in the early 1980s, we should look at ourselves in the mirror and recall that we denied the LEGO people of Denmark the human rights expressly set out in our Constitution. Unfortunately, the broader language in the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), was not incorporated into Danish law until 1992.
📍 Article 10 of the ECHR provides that “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.”
Photo from the archives of Danish Committee for LEGO rights, taken by an unidentified photographer in 1975, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
The Supreme Court of Denmark should never have so narrowly construed the rights set out in our Constitution so as not to apply to our own LEGO people, people who have brought so many economic benefits to our country.
It should not be surprising that thousands of LEGO people chose to emigrate in the late 1970s and early ’80s instead of tolerating second-class status where they were denied the freedom to hold opinions critical of Danish government policies and workplace conditions — and during which time several LEGO individuals were even imprisoned. — Oliver Hansen, Advokat, Lund & Hansen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
