Greetings, Quick update for those interested.
The poll closed this weekend - as scheduled (it was a faster timeline given the urgency of the case/request). Right now, we await assessment and closure of the straw poll by a Steward (request has been made on their Noticeboard). At the time of closing, the banner campaign had 158 in favor (62.45%) and 95 against (37.55%). Again, thank you to everyone that participated. As we await closure and possible next steps, reminder that there is info on what actions you can take at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Free_Bassel -greg (User:Varnent) > On Nov 28, 2015, at 3:14 AM, Gregory Varnum <gregory.var...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Reminder that the current discussion on the banner will be continuing on > Meta-Wiki for another 12 hours: > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Free_Bassel/Banner/Straw_poll > <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Free_Bassel/Banner/Straw_poll> > > As of this email, 142 people have shown support for the banner campaign and > 84 have opposed the banner campaign. > > Thank you to everyone that is participating in the poll and discussion. > > -greg (User:Varnent) > >> On Nov 26, 2015, at 12:55 AM, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijs...@gmail.com >> <mailto:gerard.meijs...@gmail.com>> wrote: >> >> Hoi, >> As this is not a Wikipedia article, it is more of an advertisement, a call >> to action. Urgency is key. This is not about the well known patterns of a >> Wikipedia article. >> >> This is not understood, it results at this late stage in an edit war. >> Either we have a point and make it or we have a Wikipedia style article >> which is to long to read. It will not be read because there is nothing >> urgent, nothing that demands attention. >> Thanks, >> GerardM >> >> On 25 November 2015 at 11:20, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijs...@gmail.com >> <mailto:gerard.meijs...@gmail.com>> >> wrote: >> >>> Hoi, >>> I have looked at the article. It does not have the necessary urgency. He >>> is likely to have been sentenced to death and the article reads like a >>> Wikipedia article. This is Meta, it is not Wikipedia and it needs urgency. >>> We appeal to the world to get involved to let his death not happen. That is >>> imho what the message needs to be. >>> Thanks, >>> GerardM >>> >>> On 25 November 2015 at 02:57, Asaf Bartov <abar...@wikimedia.org >>> <mailto:abar...@wikimedia.org>> wrote: >>> >>>> FYI: User:Odder has now created [[m:Free Bassel >>>> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Free_Bassel >>>> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Free_Bassel>>]], as a landing page to >>>> link >>>> from the banner. >>>> >>>> If anyone would like to help with a design for the banner (I concede not >>>> everyone shares my taste for 10pt-black-on-white text), we would be able >>>> to >>>> move ahead. There is, so far, nothing but support. >>>> >>>> A. >>>> >>>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2015 at 10:57 AM, Katherine Maher <kma...@wikimedia.org >>>> <mailto:kma...@wikimedia.org>> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi everyone, >>>>> >>>>> Thank you for raising this issue here on this list. I wanted to share >>>> some >>>>> more information about how we’ve been working to support Bassel to this >>>>> point, in public and behind the scenes. Unfortunately, some efforts are >>>>> sensitive, so can’t be shared in full on public mailing lists. But we’re >>>>> committed to supporting next steps or decisions by the community, and >>>>> keeping you updated going forward. >>>>> >>>>> Working with some other colleagues at the Foundation, we have been >>>> tracking >>>>> Bassel's case for some time now, in direct contact with the organizers >>>> of >>>>> the #FreeBassel campaign <http://freebassel.org <http://freebassel.org/>> >>>>> [1], and Bassel's >>>> family. >>>>> The actions we have taken to date have been in coordination and approval >>>>> with the #FreeBassel campaign, including: >>>>> >>>>> - Coordination and communication with related organizations, such as >>>> the >>>>> Electronic Frontier Foundation and Amnesty International. (ongoing) >>>>> - Regular contact and updates with senior human rights officials at >>>> the >>>>> U.S. State Department. (ongoing) >>>>> - Outreach to the press around Bassel’s arbitrary detention and >>>>> contributions to the free knowledge movement. Please see this WIRED >>>>> story, “A >>>>> Jailed Activist’s 3-D Models Could Save Syria’s History From ISIS >>>>> < >>>>> >>>> http://www.wired.com/2015/10/jailed-activist-bassel-khartabil-3d-models-could-save-syrian-history-from-isis/ >>>> >>>> <http://www.wired.com/2015/10/jailed-activist-bassel-khartabil-3d-models-could-save-syrian-history-from-isis/> >>>>>> .” >>>>> [2] (Although we did reach out to WIRED, we cannot say for certain if >>>>> that >>>>> story was the direct result of our efforts or others within the >>>>> #FreeBassel >>>>> coordination community). (10/21) >>>>> - Raising Bassel’s case in public speaking opportunities, including >>>>> Lila’s keynote to the Creative Commons Summit. (10/15) >>>>> - Blog post #FREEBASSEL: Free culture advocate who built 3D >>>> renderings >>>>> of Palmyra missing in Syria >>>>> <https://blog.wikimedia.org/2015/10/08/bassel-missing-syria/> [3]. >>>>> (10/08) >>>>> - Ongoing participation in #FreeBassel social media campaigns on >>>>> Facebook and Twitter. >>>>> >>>>> Bassel is in a situation known as arbitrary detention >>>>> < >>>>> >>>> http://en.alkarama.org/1763-syria-un-calls-for-the-release-of-freedom-of-speech-advocate-bassel-khartabil >>>>>> >>>>> [4]. Arbitrary detentions are characterized by uncertainty, lack of >>>>> information, and volatility. They’re scary because we don’t know what’s >>>>> happening, and often we are making decisions without a lot of >>>> information. >>>>> Our goal is always to support Bassel to make sure our efforts help him >>>>> without putting him at greater risk. So we’ve been working with >>>> experienced >>>>> human rights campaigners, including the #FreeBassel campaign, to >>>> understand >>>>> the best actions to take at different times over the past two months. >>>>> >>>>> We’ve been in touch with Bassel’s family, who would support continued >>>>> efforts to raise awareness about Bassel’s situation through a note on >>>>> Wikipedia if that should happen. We can also join action letters (like >>>> this >>>>> < >>>>> >>>> http://www.amnesty.nl/nieuwsportaal/pers/syria-fears-life-free-expression-advocate >>>>>> >>>>> [5]) where the community agrees it's appropriate. If the community >>>> decides >>>>> to move forward with an action, we are here to help. We are monitoring >>>> the >>>>> discussions and activity in >>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Banner:Free_Bassel as a place where >>>>> community consensus can form. Please let us know if there’s anything >>>> else >>>>> we can do to support efforts to raise awareness for Bassel. >>>>> >>>>> Katherine >>>>> >>>>> [1] http://freebassel.org/ >>>>> [2] >>>>> >>>>> >>>> http://www.wired.com/2015/10/jailed-activist-bassel-khartabil-3d-models-could-save-syrian-history-from-isis/ >>>>> [3] https://blog.wikimedia.org/2015/10/08/bassel-missing-syria/ >>>>> [4] >>>>> >>>>> >>>> http://en.alkarama.org/1763-syria-un-calls-for-the-release-of-freedom-of-speech-advocate-bassel-khartabil >>>>> [5] >>>>> >>>>> >>>> http://www.amnesty.nl/nieuwsportaal/pers/syria-fears-life-free-expression-advocate >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2015 at 7:38 AM, Daniel Mietchen < >>>>> daniel.mietc...@googlemail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Yes, a CentralNotice would seem appropriate here. >>>>>> Please help flesh it out at >>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Banner:Free_Bassel . >>>>>> >>>>>> Daniel >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2015 at 3:38 PM, Gerard Meijssen >>>>>> <gerard.meijs...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>> Hoi, >>>>>>> I have started a text.. >>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>> GerardM >>>>>>> >>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Banner:Free_Bassel >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 24 November 2015 at 15:25, Pete Forsyth <petefors...@gmail.com> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> +1 >>>>>>>> Gerard, or Andrea, or anybody who knows better than myself, could >>>> you >>>>>> start >>>>>>>> a draft on Meta Wiki with a proposed text for a banner, and where >>>> it >>>>>> should >>>>>>>> link/what it should advise readers to do? >>>>>>>> Pete >>>>>>>> On Nov 24, 2015 3:13 AM, "Tito Dutta" <trulyt...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Sad news. Agree with everyone here that we should do something. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On 24 November 2015 at 16:38, Gerard Meijssen < >>>>>> gerard.meijs...@gmail.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hoi, >>>>>>>>>> Tomorrow we have a platform as well at the Erasmus award >>>> ceremony >>>>> in >>>>>>>>>> Amsterdam. It is Wikipedia, its community that is receiving the >>>>>> award.. >>>>>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>>>>> GerardM >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On 24 November 2015 at 12:03, Cristian Consonni < >>>>>>>> kikkocrist...@gmail.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> 2015-11-24 10:47 GMT+01:00 Andrea Zanni < >>>>> zanni.andre...@gmail.com >>>>>>> : >>>>>>>>>>>> Use the centralnotice. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> [...] >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> A Wikipedian, a member of our community sentenced to death >>>> for >>>>>>>>>> believing >>>>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>>>>> our Mission and Vision is something extraordinary. I >>>>> understand >>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>> caution >>>>>>>>>>>> of setting a precedent, but I think it's worth it. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Also, remember: we have few days before we'll ask money >>>> again >>>>> to >>>>>>>> all >>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> English-speaking countries. >>>>>>>>>>>> How could we ask for money when we are not using the power >>>>> that >>>>>> was >>>>>>>>>>>> bestowed upon us by the very same spirit, love and courage >>>>> that >>>>>> is >>>>>>>>>>>> condemning Bassel to death? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I strongly support this. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> As for the precedent, recall that the Wikimedia Foundation >>>>>> supports >>>>>>>>>>> the users, we did this with User:Diu in Greece: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> https://blog.wikimedia.org/2014/02/14/wikimedia-foundation-supports-wikipedia-user-subject-to-defamation-lawsuit-in-greece/ >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> This is much more than a lawsuit. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> A message I do not want us to send is that if you enough >>>> force >>>>> or >>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>> threat is big enough, then we, as a movement, will be scared >>>>> away. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> C >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: >>>>>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>>>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>>>>>>> Unsubscribe: >>>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, >>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>> ?subject=unsubscribe> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: >>>>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>>>>>> Unsubscribe: >>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, >>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>> ?subject=unsubscribe> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: >>>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>>>>> Unsubscribe: >>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l >>>>>> , >>>>>>>>> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>> ?subject=unsubscribe> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: >>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>>>> Unsubscribe: >>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l >>>>> , >>>>>>>> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>> ?subject=unsubscribe> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: >>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>>>>> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>>> Unsubscribe: >>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, >>>>>> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: >>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>>>> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l >>>> , >>>>>> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Katherine Maher >>>>> Chief Communications Officer >>>>> Wikimedia Foundation >>>>> 149 New Montgomery Street >>>>> San Francisco, CA 94105 >>>>> >>>>> +1 (415) 839-6885 ext. 6635 >>>>> +1 (415) 712 4873 >>>>> kma...@wikimedia.org >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: >>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>>> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, >>>>> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Asaf Bartov >>>> Wikimedia Foundation <http://www.wikimediafoundation.org> >>>> >>>> Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the >>>> sum of all knowledge. 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