Lets not act like this is an impossible task.
There is a process and actually multiple ways to accomplish this. Looking into, we might not even need to fork android, but just support existing alternatives.
I would think the first step is to fork the Android Open Source Project. use that as a base, start cutting out any links to google, fill in the gaps, etc. This is obviously not my realm of expertise but there is a path.
"170,000 tech workers lost their jobs in the U.S. in the 18 months prior to mid-2025"
Don't tell me we can't scrape together a team of experts and make this happen. Yes there will be barriers and push-back, but its either this or we just keep deepthroating google.
exactly that's why actions speak louder in these cases.