FSFE for Freedom Not Fear
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) supports Free Software so that every citizen can play an independent, active and responsible part in our information society. However, censorship of content, violations of the principle of 'Net Neutrality' and increasing online surveillance do not fit with these goals. FSFE is therefore appealing for participation in the world-wide day of action "Freedom Not Fear" [1], which takes place this Saturday, the 11th October.
"Free Software grants us the right to use such software for any purpose, to study it, to adapt it to our needs and to release improved versions to the public. However, if our civil rights are more and more curtailed by questionable legislation, we may end up with the absurd situation that we cannot make use of these four freedoms without breaking the law", warns Matthias Kirschner, German Deputy Coordinator for FSFE.
In Germany, the main demonstration for "Freedom Not Fear" day starts at 14:00 at Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Germany. The event is organised by AK Vorrat (German Working Group on Data Retention [2]) and is being supported by over one hundred organisations in Germany alone. Demonstrations are also taking place in 21 other countries around the world, such as in the cities of Paris, Stockholm, London, Sofia and Luxembourg, among many others. Artistic events related to the day of action will take place in Rome and Zürich, and discussion events are planned for Washington, D.C. In the Netherlands, events are taking place under the banner of "Volksopstand 2008" (Peoples' Revolt 2008)[3]. In The Hague, a demonstration is planned in the square front of the second chamber of the Dutch Parliament, and afterwards various related activities such as a 'privacy market' and discussion workshops will take place.
More information on events planned worldwide can be found on the "Freedom Not Fear" web site [4].
[1] http://www.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de/content/view/242/144/lang,en/ [2] http://www.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de/ [3] http://www.volksopstand2008.nl/ [4] http://wiki.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de/Freedom_Not_Fear_2008/International_a...
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and involved in many global activities. Access to software determines participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study, modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues, securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues of the FSFE.
FSFE's homepage can be found at http://www.fsfeurope.org
You can reach the FSFE switchboard from: * Belgium: +32 2 747 03 57 * Germany: +49 700 373 38 76 73 * Sweden: +46 31 7802160 * Switzerland: +41 43 500 03 66 * UK: +44 29 200 08 17 7