Shareholders aren't being forced: theoretically the board represents the shareholders, and the board voted to accept the deal (and with a 25% premium on price,

Shareholders aren't being forced: theoretically the board represents the shareholders, and the board voted to accept the deal (and with a 25% premium on price, I would too, if I was on the board). In a sense if you are a shareholder who doesn't like this deal, you should have made that clear to your board members (or voted for different board members who shared your views) before.