[FSFE PR][EN] FSFE for Freedom Not Fear

[Free Software Foundation Europe]

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_actions_overview


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