*Read and share online: <[link removed]>*


Dear Free Software
Supporter,

It is with deep sadness that we are canceling all of the in-person
events associated with LibrePlanet 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19
outbreak and our corresponding concern for the safety of this
community. This includes the conference sessions on March 14 and 15,
and all Free Software Foundation (FSF)-organized social events on
March 13, 14, and 15.

However, just because we won't be holding a conference in person this
year doesn't mean that we've given up our fight to "free the future."
Instead, LibrePlanet will be a **fully free (as in freedom) virtual
conference and livestream**. We had an extremely exciting program
planned, and we're going to try and maintain as much of that schedule
as possible with all of the speakers who are willing and able to
participate remotely. The resulting livestream will be run on and
entirely accessible via free software, so that you can enjoy these
amazing talks from the comfort of your home.

With our small staff and the immense amount of other work to be done
for free software this year, we decided that rescheduling to later
this year would not be feasible, and that a virtual conference would
be much more valuable.

We changed our plans since our announcement last week because, over
the weekend, the number of presumptive coronavirus cases reported in
Massachusetts [grew to 40][1]. We also have been receiving a steady
flow of speaker and attendee cancellations, indicating concern. The
continuous spread of the virus, the daily changes to the situation,
and its confirmed growth in the Boston area all made it impossible for
us to sufficiently guarantee people's safety attending the event. With
this issue out of the way, we can now focus all of our energy to
deliver the best possible version of the event online.

[1]: [link removed]

This decision has not been made lightly; the financial costs already
incurred in terms of money and staff time are a heavy burden on the
organization. We ask you for your understanding, and to please
consider making a [donation][2] to the FSF, especially as we move
forward with our plans to bring the conference to thousands of virtual
participants around the world. To those whose travel plans were
disrupted, please accept our apologies.

[2]: [link removed]

More information will be forthcoming. For now, please follow the
[World Health Organization][3] guidelines about keeping safe during
this difficult time. Again, thank you for your patience and
understanding.

[3]: [link removed]

Happy hacking,

Zoë Kooyman
Program Manager




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