Greetings to all and thanks for the support of our initiative. I am one of the
three ru-wikipedia users, who signed the decision under the poll to blackout
ru-wiki. We have a really nasty bill, that is already passed by the Russian
parliament. The bill contains a real and an unequivocal clauses, that can lead
to an ip-ban of Wikimedia projects in Russia. After the strike we managed to
gain a big media-impact and massive support from the public opinion and
internet users, but the influence on the legislative process is more than
moderate. Actually we have rather appearance of concessions from the
authorities, than real effective gains. Though the clear and public
acknowledgment from the authorities, that Wikipedia will not be banned, is a
sort of a gain. And besides that we have established some links with the
authorities and MPs, that can help us in our future work of promoting new
provisions to the passed bill. Without the strike that would be impossible.
Within the wiki-community now we have a discussion about the past strike.
Though the overwhelming majority do not question the strike itself, some
editors, including senior and those of an authority, question the organization
process and the procedure of taking solutions within the community of the
strike. As one of two main organizers of the strike I get a lot off feedback
and criticisms of how and by what means the strike took place. That criticism
is very important. The organization was really not good. Actually it could not
be worse. The main reason for that is extreme lack of time we had to organize.
The bill was passed in an utmost haste without even a shadow of public
discussion. Actually the community, including myself, got to know of bill
hearing only day before its planned time. Therefore we had to act in even
bigger haste. Everything, including organizing the strike, conducting of a
poll, informing the media and third parties, was made in several hours. It is
not a surprise, that within the given circumstances we made much less, than
could be done. That is also true for the process of taking decisions within the
community. Though we had an overwhelming majority of supporters, the decision
had to be taken on consensus, as all the decisions within the community should
be based on the consensus of its participants. But the utmost lack of time gave
us no opportunity to analyze all the opinions, all the important remarks and
views, present in the poll. Therefore the decision was taken upon votes. As a
consequence now we have an arbcom case against the organizers, including me,
stating that the decision was not taken according to all rules of taking such
decisions.
I think, that in the crucial point of conducting the strike the taken decision
was the only possible one within the given circumstances and utmost lack of
time. Though it was a bad decision in terms of traditions of discussion and
consensus, any other would be worse. As one of the organizers I take the full
responsibility on myself and have tried to do my best in the circumstances.
All the mistakes should be avoided in the future; all the criticisms should be
taken into consideration. But what is the most important now, is that Wikipedia
can act, gain achievements in public space and stand for its interests in an
open and clear way.
Thanks again for all the comrades for expressed support,
Abiyoyo.
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