Ref54

Important updates:
- Actual media coverage is in progress.
- Please focus on #FREELUD and do not become distracted by agitators.
- Outside people are fishing for info on *an active legal case*—do not provide it, block, and move on.

#FREELUD UPDATES:
- Lud finally spoke with his lawyer
- Lawyer presents the asylum case to a judge tomorrow
- Press coverage in progress; stay tuned
- Raised $$$ are enough for current/potential future legal fees, and to help Lud recover once he is freed; GoFundMe remaining open

The EVO situation is dire.

I poked at DOA2 for a sec last night and lol
Literally EVERY character I considered using in 6 debuted in 3 or later

I saw some posts recently about people playing fgs for the wrong reasons. If you like a game, that's enough. Whether you play single player, play against others casually, in a bracket, with an improvement mindset, without an improvement mindset, all are valid. Pure enjoyment is more than enough.

Multiple things can be true.

I want FGC events around the world.

I think calling them all “EVO” dilutes the specialness for everyone.

I also don’t want any events used for government sportswashing. I will also go scorched earth if the US gov ever tries to sponsor a FG event.

Putting out another call to help me update the FGC Locals spreadsheet! If your local fighting game tournament isn't on here, please add it, and if it is, help me keep it updated!

We currently have👏551 active locals👏listed but I'm sure there are more

docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Will do! Hopefully it delivers on what I wanted out of this one, skating-wise.

How so? Hearing damage, stress, something else?

So we got into watching figure skating during the Olympics and started Yuri on Ice to keep it going.
...I hate to say it but honestly it's pretty bad? Characters are weak, the romance is too, and the skating sequences are a disappointment.
We'll probably finish it but its a let down so far.

One of the kind of fucked up parts of the ICE occupation here is that a lot of folks want to believe it’s over, and the media seems to tell us it’s over, but folks on the ground are still seeing tons of activity and vulnerable people are still (rightfully) terrified to go outside. We can’t stop yet.

One of my least favorite things around AI in video games is when these LLM idiots try to say that "AI has been in video games for decades," as if the routines that tell ghosts to chase Pac-Man are exactly the same as the chat bot claiming there are nine Rs in strawberry.

#FREELUD UPDATES:
- He spoke to some loved ones.
- Discord created! Message David Hazlewood for a join link: gofund.me/d4f06783d
- If you have media connections, also message David.
- Lawyers presenting in court early next week to formally reopen his old case and secure bond.

Update as of 2/21/26 6pm ET Thank you for your continued support of Ludovic and his fight for justice. We continue to share with him how so many are rallying around him and know it helps keep his spirits high. Ludovic’s Status: ICE has moved Ludovic again. Friday night around 10pm, he and other detainees at the Louisiana facility were placed in chains and told they were being moved elsewhere. Ludovic and others were in chains from 10pm to 5am when they were finally loaded onto a flight. Ludovic is currently at an ICE facility in Georgia. Similar to the Louisiana move, his lawyers were not properly notified. Despite this, Ludovic is still in good spirits and is finding humor in the absurdity of it all. His close friends and family continue to remain in contact with him as much as possible.

What We Know: Ludovic's Maryland attorney filed a Habeas Corpus while he was still in Maryland. However, ICE failed to properly communicate this to other states, meaning it was not enforced when he was moved to Louisiana or Georgia. The Habeas Corpus should prevent him from being relocated, but without proper communication between ICE facilities across states, it is not being honored. Ludovic and others have now been moved twice in 3 days. We know this is ICE's attempt to break their spirits and they are being targeted. Ludovic and the others who were picked up from Maryland, moved to Louisiana and now moved to Georgia, are people who are fighting and advocating for themselves and did NOT agree to deportation. Knowing this only gives us fuel to fight even harder for Ludovic's release.

What Happens Next: We previously decided to hold off on media engagement. After careful consideration with his legal team, we believe now is the right time to move forward. Next week, Ludovic's close friends supporting his release will coordinate a media push to amplify his story. A critical piece of our media engagement will be choosing the best outlets and reporters to share his story with the appropriate care and empathy. We will continue to provide daily updates here and advocate for Ludovic's release. Thanks for your support –Team Ludovic

lud was moved AGAIN from LA to GA

organizers are working with the media to amplify lud's story and THEY'RE PLANNING AN OFFICIAL MEDIA ROLLOUT THIS WEEK

you can help by:

1. repost or donate - www.gofundme.com/f/support-lu...
2. save this thread + come back for official next steps
3. use #FreeLud

You, an individual, cannot "fix" the whole world. You can act at the scale of your life. You should act at the scale of your life.

#FREELUD UPDATES:
- Lud moved to Louisiana illegally against court order
- habeas corpus filed, second lawyer obtained, strong asylum case pending
- expenses rising: DONATE gofund.me/ecba5131b
- he is physically okay and in good spirits
- #FREELUD Discord server in the works

UPDATE from one of Lud’s closer friends:

- someone spoke to him last night at 2 AM

- he is aware of all the fundraising and advocacy the FGC is doing

- he laughed at how much money we’ve raised

- the guards are rude (shocker), but he is physically okay

✨ KEEP POSTING #FREELUD

Here’s a list of the reps in Baltimore. Contacting them can really help our boy! #FREELUD

www.baltimorecity.gov/boe/about/el...

2/19 10pm ET Update: Thank you for your continued support and advocacy for Ludovic’s release. It’s beautiful to see how loved and supported he is by his community. Unfortunately, Ludovic was moved from Baltimore, MD to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. His lawyers were not properly notified of the transfer. What happens next: His lawyers’ top priorities will be fighting to bring him back home to Maryland. We remain hopeful for his safe return and appreciate everyone’s support as we navigate the next steps. How you can help: 1. Continue to donate and share Ludovic’s story with your community. At this time we are NOT seeking media/news engagement but DO want as much community support as possible. 2. We are looking to leverage any connections Ludovic’s community has with elected officials. If you can connect us with any public officials, please message us with that information. ICE wants us to panic and lose faith. For Ludovic, we will not break and instead we will hold strong and out-organize.

ICE ignored the judge's orders and moved lud to another detention center in Louisiana

if you happen to have ties to any local or state government in Maryland, please contact the organizers immediately

this is a marathon; not a sprint.
we gotta stay focused.

🙏 • www.gofundme.com/f/support-lu...

If you live in the MARYLAND FGC, 🦀

3 PHONE CALLS in 5 MINUTES can help demand that ICE #FREELUD. 📱

READ HOW BELOW ⬇️

#FGC... REPOST!!! 🔀

BREAKING: ICE took Lud from Baltimore to another detention center in Louisiana without notifying his lawyers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- donate to fund the lawyers: gofund.me/fc2fc8f35
- keep boosting in the FGC
- we are seeking connections to relevant elected officials

#FREELUD

Play retro games

You'll be more mentally pleased with this hobby

2/19 10pm ET Update: Thank you for your continued support and advocacy for Ludovic’s release. It’s beautiful to see how loved and supported he is by his community. Unfortunately, Ludovic was moved from Baltimore, MD to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. His lawyers were not properly notified of the transfer. What happens next: His lawyers’ top priorities will be fighting to bring him back home to Maryland. We remain hopeful for his safe return and appreciate everyone’s support as we navigate the next steps. How you can help: 1. Continue to donate and share Ludovic’s story with your community. At this time we are NOT seeking media/news engagement but DO want as much community support as possible. 2. We are looking to leverage any connections Ludovic’s community has with elected officials. If you can connect us with any public officials, please message us with that information. ICE wants us to panic and lose faith. For Ludovic, we will not break and instead we will hold strong and out-organize. Thanks for your support.

(See first image for text of update)

An image of Ludovic smiling against an orange background. The text reads SUPPORT LUDOVIC'S FIGHT.

Update on Ludovic. Unfortunately but unsurprisingly he was moved to Louisiana without notice. If anyone can put the campaign in contact with elected officials, please do. Also keep an eye on the GoFundMe page for further updates.
www.gofundme.com/f/support-lu...

this is my local community member ludovic.

he came to every xanadu local.
he helped coordinate carpools to get other people to the venue for street fighter.
he represented DMV at majors.
he respected all TOs.
he IS fgc personified.

if you don't have the funds to donate, pls just repost & share.

Thank you so much for donating and sharing the GoFundMe link. We are overwhelmed and grateful for how much has been donated. The money donated is desperately needed to support Ludovic’s legal fight. Being able to quickly obtain a lawyer and proceed with paperwork has made a huge difference for Ludovic. As of 2/19 @ 10am ET: A habeas corpus petition was filed on 2/19 and a judge signed it, meaning the court is now requiring the government to justify Ludovic’s detention. In addition, a G28 form was submitted so his lawyers will be officially notified of any movement on his case. Why this is important: ICE was attempting to move Ludovic to a more permanent detention facility out of state. With the habeas corpus filed and accepted, they cannot do that and he remains in Baltimore. We also lower the risk of him being moved without his lawyers being properly notified, keeping visibility into his location. What happens next: There aren’t any guarantees and everything is hour by hour, day by day. We anticipate the next step is a hearing before a judge where his lawyer will argue for his release. The timing for that remains unclear but we remain hopeful. We will continue to provide daily updates here. Thank you for all your support.

(See first image for complete alt text)

Current status:

Update February 18 - Thank you to everyone who has helped! With your generous contributions we were able to pay the initial retainer and first round of legal fees. It looks like these funds arrived just in time. Hopefully this will prevent Ludovic from being transferred to a more distant facility and work towards his release. There is still so much to do to help Ludovic, but this campaign has been a much needed source of hope for those of us working towards his release. I personally thank you all with every ounce of my heart and soul and I know many others feel the exact same. -David

Update from the campaign:

Donate to Support Ludovic’s Legal Defense, organized by David Hazlewood Ludovic Mbock is a dear friend who has always brought kindness and positivity to those… David Hazlewood needs your support for Support Ludovic’s Legal Defense

ICE took one of my friends from the Street Fighter community. He’s a good man, a beloved community member. Please, please boost and/or donate if you can.

gofund.me/d6d11aa16

This is for Illinois, but check https://www.iceinmyarea.org

LRPs: Past few events I been talking with folks about how it's only a matter of time before this ice shit hits our communities and events. Need to be ready to organize fast at majors, frfr.

Fuck ICE, support the homie Lud & support your local folks who are fighting back against this shit.

Donate to Support Ludovic’s Legal Defense, organized by David Hazlewood Ludovic Mbock is a dear friend who has always brought kindness and positivity to those… David Hazlewood needs your support for Support Ludovic’s Legal Defense

www.gofundme.com/f/support-lu... hey yall this is a little serious but a big pillar of dmv fgc Ludovic has been detained by ice and needs some financial help to cover the legal defense, please spread the word and donate if you can