Re: Call to stop contributing

[Graham Lee]

Hi all,

I observe the evidence that RMS has indeed stepped back from such statements, e.g. https://www.stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_(Sex_between_an_adult_and_a_child_is_wrong). The GNU kind communication guidelines (https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/kind-communication.html#f1) declare political discussions other than the advocacy of free software off-topic in GNU project fora such as this list, so I will not enter into that topic here. However, I will make myself available to Johannes, RMS, and to Greg and the GNUstep maintainers for constructive discussion via email if they wish to have that discussion privately.

On the specific topic of the continued stewardship of the GNUstep project, I just want to express my position that dissociation from the GNU project is not proportionate nor desirable in my opinion.

Kind regards,

Graham.

From: Johannes Brakensiek <johannes@brakensiek.info>
To: GNUstep Discuss <discuss-gnustep@gnu.org>, <rms@gnu.org>
Sent: 26/03/2021 1:54 PM
Subject: Call to stop contributing

Dear GNUsteppers, Mr. Stallman,

it is not as if I do like to write this mail, but I think I have to,
since you, Mr. Stallman, again took chair in the FSF board and posted
mails to this list suggesting development decisions.

I’d like to clarify in advance that this statement does not contain
any personal objections and I highly value any contributions of past and
presence to a free and democratic digital world.

But I think it is important for any project contributing to a free
world, that engagement for personal freedom can in no way tolerate or
even support (even by just being silent) any form of abusive behaviour
against children and women or any opinion that is tolerating or even
supporting such behaviour.

So as lang as neither you, Mr. Stallman, nor the FSF board distance
oneself from such opinion or behaviour (f.e. be distancing to statements
declared in earlier times or by signing an appropriate code of conduct)
I’m going to stop contributing to any kind of GNU project and call all
developers to do the same.

I suggest the GNUstep project to wait for such statements and in case
they don’t happen, to fork the project, remove the GNU acronym from
its name and to break up any connection with the FSF.

For further information see https://rms-open-letter.github.io/

Johannes