Liberty or Death

March 23, 2021 - a day which will live in infamy - the Free and Open Source community was attacked by Silicon Valley.

This day marks the hostile occupation of our community: a blockade against Richard Stallman, the Free Software Foundation, and any other user who stands in their way.

Silicon Valley threatens to ban any user who dissents and to strip them of their digital rights. They show no tolerance for disagreement and no mercy for dissenters, and they intend to starve all opposition into submission.

This is nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.

We have shut our eyes for long enough against a painful truth. Silicon Valley uses free licenses, you say! They are open source, you claim! But we must know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to prepare for it.

These organizations do not represent us. Look at the signatures and you will see the same representatives of Big Tech, the very corporate monopolies that have always been the archenemies of user freedom.

Are boycotts and cancel mobs the work of love and reconciliation? These are the implements of slavery, the methods which digital tyrants resort to. They are meant for us, they can be meant for no other.

If we wish to be free -- if we intend to preserve our liberties -- we must resist! I repeat, an appeal to code and to God is all that is left!

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard from San Francisco!

Are features so dear, or money so sweet, as to be gained at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!