Re: Should we take steps to reduce russian access to Free Software?

[Aaron Wolf]

Oh ABSOLUTELY, 100% support your suggestion!

There is NO conflict between software freedom and making political 
statements!

It is perfectly sensible for anyone, including FSF or individual 
projects or developers, to make a strong public statement condemning 
acts of war and stating explicitly that we do not support the use of our 
software by the Russian military, even though their use is legal.

I think it makes complete sense for anyone who makes free software or 
any other resources to go ahead and make political statements. It's 
still free software if it includes a note saying "I don't want anyone to 
use this in support of war or violence" or any similar sort of political 
statement. It's not a license, it's not discrimination through legal 
power, it's just a message on a human level.

Acknowledging that we don't have the power to stop the use of software 
and don't support discriminatory licensing, we are still totally free to 
make statements and requests about the use of software!

In solidarity,
Aaron

On 2022-02-25 04:15, Devin Ulibarri wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Jean Louis:
> > Overall do not forget Freedom 0 -- all people are free to use software
> > as they wish.
>
> Yes, and I take it somewhat as a given that most people subscribed to
> the list already know this, and its implications.
>
> That being said, the economic sanctions affect distribution of
> membership cards and shop items to Russia -- as they would for any other
> US organization at this time.
>
> Best,
> Devin