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Dear Free Software Supporter,

I'm Greg Farough, the campaigns manager of the [Free Software
Foundation (FSF)][1]. If you haven't heard from me in a while, it's
because the [campaigns team][2] has been heads-down in researching the
latest threats to software freedom and promoting *real* digital rights
all over the globe. We've been particularly concerned with the glut of
age verification bills springing up all over the United States and
elsewhere; proposed bans on VPNs; and the ongoing, more general
encroachment of proprietary software on all of our basic freedoms.
We've also been preparing for this year's [International Day Against
DRM][3] on July 17th. We do all of this to educate the public about
free software; caution them against the latest "offerings" from Apple,
Microsoft, and Google; steer them away from streaming dis-services;
defend their privacy; and more. That amounts to [sixteen(!)][2]
campaigns with just three full-time staff members.

[1]: [link removed]
[2]: [link removed]
[3]: [link removed]

The fight can seem overwhelming, especially in the wake of one
specific social media titan and proprietary software slinger recently
becoming the world's first trillionaire. What do three people at a
small Massachusetts-based nonprofit have to compare against that? The
answer is our principles.

For decades, the FSF has stuck to its message that users should be
able to have [*full* control][4] over their machines. We cannot allow
these freedoms to be limited based on anyone's age, location, sexual
orientation, migration status, or any other characteristic some suit
on a senate floor determines to be a good method of censoring the
populace and limiting access to technology. Digital discrimination to
any such extent is possible only with proprietary software.

We haven't departed from our principles — not once — and have instead
been elaborating on the core message and implications for the last
forty-one years. When it seems like each and every corporate monopoly
around the world is in a race to shut down every meaningful way to
copy, study, or even *run* the programs that power our digital lives,
rest assured that the FSF is here to defend your right to compute.

But we can't do it alone. Since joining the FSF in 2019, I've seen my
fair share of threats to free software come and go — but none have
made me more worried about the future of free software than recent
device-based age verification laws. Meaningful advocacy for software
freedom requires funding. Your associate membership directly impacts
the amount of work that Eko, Heshan, and I can do for the free
software movement. In short, we need your help.

[4]: [link removed]

We know not everyone is in a position to give, but if you can, support
our efforts by joining the FSF as an [associate member][5]. For $70
annually or $12 monthly, you can support our campaigning for a year.
This isn't just about finances; it's about showing up in numbers.
Please help us continue to protect software freedom and increase its
global support. Every membership this summer will help us towards our
goal of 175 new members. Associate members will also be able to enjoy
all the [member benefits][8].

[5]: [link removed]
[8]: [link removed]

There's something I've learned in my time working here and being
involved with the free software movement generally. Nowhere else have
I seen a community of such principled, dedicated people all together
in one place and standing up for human liberty in technology. If
anyone can turn the fate of the digital world around, it's this
community.

Please join me in committing to freedom and supporting the FSF.

In freedom,

Greg Farough
Campaigns Manager

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Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

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