A Call for Unity
For forty years, the free software movement has been a beacon of user freedom, empowering individuals and communities around the globe. Through the tireless efforts of countless developers, activists, and users, we've built an impressive foundation of software that respects our rights to use, study, modify, and share. Now, we stand at a critical juncture. The digital landscape is rapidly evolving, with new threats to user freedom emerging on a daily basis.
Yet, in recent years, cracks have appeared in our foundation. Disagreements have led to friction and division within our community. We're left with a community that's fractured, bickering while the enemy - well-funded, well-organized, and utterly ruthless in their pursuit - advances on all fronts.
The beauty of the free software movement lies in its simplicity. It offers a clear, concise, and universally applicable principle about the fundamental right of users to control their computing. This universal principle is the bedrock of our movement. It transcends political divides, cultural differences, personal ideologies, and everything else.