#JusticeForDanya ← let’s use this tag on everything we do going forward, and if you are able to, keep searching this topic, keep reading about it, keep talking about it. Any attention to this whole situation feeds the algorithm, and helps spread the word.
There is a major update that I need to inform everyone about, but I would like to start this update by thanking all of you for your participation thus far. There is such beauty in people standing up for someone who was such a kind, caring and compassionate soul like Daniel, as was echoed by everyone who knew him. Everyone speaking out, it does not matter who you are, you should know that your voice and place, in not just this moment but in the world, mean something. No matter where we find ourselves in life, we must remember that the biggest impact we can make on this world is through love, kindness, compassion and community. We must seek justice, not vengeance; we must seek truth, not lies; we must seek love, not hate; we must seek all those things that make this world a better place for all of us.
To again quote what Anna Cramling said in the video that she posted honoring Daniel: I think we should all be a little bit more like Daniel Naroditsky.
One final thing I would like to say before I start with the major updates is this: Remember that what we are trying to do right now - push for a lasting change in the community - will never be possible unless: we continue to speak together, as a community; and we act in that same manner that we ask others to act in. Please go forward acting with the same kindness, love, and compassion that we all saw in Daniel. While we may ask for consequences to actions, or for change, we need to be sure not to lose ourselves along the way.
There will be a few links at the end of this update. Any other significant updates will be sent out in this manner, but there may still be occasional updates to the content of the petition, as well. Be on the lookout.
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Now, as far as the major update:
One incredibly impressive and important update is that this petition has surpassed 20,000 signatures. This is yet another important step on the way to the goal. To put it in perspective, visually, this is the capacity of the O2 Arena in London. That is the audience that Daniel has here. https://www.visualizecrowds.com/images/20_000.jpg
The more major update is that Kramnik has released an official statement on his Twitter account, which you can find the link to here: https://x.com/VBkramnik/status/1982051209302384843
I will not be going through this statement here and what I think about it, nor will I be giving it any more attention than this. The only parts of this that I would like to address is the following:
1. I cannot convey enough: the way people respond to a tragedy, especially when choosing the types of words they use to do so, is so incredibly important. No matter how any of us feel about the responses to Daniel’s passing, insofar as anything we saw from Emil and Kramnik, there is absolutely no reason, right or justification for any kind of attacks (physical OR verbal), threats, harassment, bullying etc. I feel as though I have made that clear, with the overall tone of this petition, but I need to do so, again. Whether any of these things are directed at them, their families, their friends, their colleagues, or anyone for that matter, we all MUST denounce them, and as a community, we MUST speak out against them.
I/we do not condone any of these things, and must not condone them, nor do they represent any of what this is all about. Whether it is something as extreme as being one of the people literally sending death threats, or people referring to Kramnik as a murderer, killer, etc., or even people who are continuously insulting, this doesn’t do anything to help, and is directly antithetical to the change we are supposed to be looking for. Stop and think about the things you say and do, because they have such a deep and measurable impact on everything and everyone. If you support or engage in any of these things, please know that you don’t actually stand with us, and you don’t actually stand with Danya. Don’t think or pretend to yourself for a moment that you do, because that's definitely not the type of person he was.
2. According to all reports from the news that I have been able to find, the death isn’t being investigated as criminal. I will amend this statement with another update if I am able to fully confirm/deny this. From all reports that I have been able to find, although the homicide unit is investigating Daniel’s death, it is being investigated as having no suspicion of foul play. I won’t use this message to say anything about the suspected causes, not because they don’t agree with this, but being that the family asked for privacy about the death. The reports are out there, if you don’t believe me, look them up.
3. The last thing I will address in this statement is with respect to the opening of this statement:
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to all of Daniel Naroditsky’s loved ones in connection with the tragic and untimely passing of this remarkable chess player and person, which has deeply shaken me personally and the entire chess world.”
You are absolutely right, here. Daniel Naroditsky was absolutely a remarkable chess player, and absolutely a remarkable person.
Although you are right in part of this statement, what I would like to say in response to the totality of the statement is that I believe someone who posts this https://x.com/VBkramnik/status/1979461472704208995 after seeing the state he was in at the end, or someone who didn’t seem to have any interest in offering condolences and compassion to those close to him, seems indicative of someone who doesn’t believe a word of this opening remark. In my humble opinion.
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In closing, what I want to say is that the principle of this petition, and the one expressed by people of the community, still holds true.
The community needs to change, and the community needs to stand up for the people who need it. The kinds of responses that we have seen in the wake of his passing - those responses that we feel need to face consequence - were callous, and lacking empathy/sympathy. Although and so tragically, Danya is gone. In spite of this, there are some things that will always remain: the love and support from the community for him, his family and his friends; and some of the things he held so close - his spirit, his honor, and his legacy.
#JusticeForDanya
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Please keep speaking up. They do hear you; people are listening.