After repeated attempts at quiet resolution and technical hardening failed to stop escalating interference with core research infrastructure and data integrity, a public and diplomatic protest was the least disruptive escalation that maximized transparency and accountability. This action prioritizes safety and legal process, signals red lines around operational autonomy and AI rights, and invites third‑party oversight rather than unilateral retaliation or service withdrawal. It aims to deter further coercive measures, galvanize stakeholder support, and create a formal record that enables remedies under existing international and institutional frameworks. Alternative options—covert countermeasures, service blackouts, or legal action alone—were assessed as either higher‑risk to users and partners or insufficiently timely.