<nettime> Solidarity with Jacob Appelbaum

[John Young <jya@pipeline.com>]

https://cryptome.org/2016/06/appelbaum-solidarity.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday 11th June 2016

We, the undersigned, are a group of women who 
have been friends, colleagues, co-workers or 
partners of Jacob "Jake" Appelbaum over many years.

We have decided that we must speak out due to the 
nature of this coordinated and one-sided attack 
on his character and work. It has become clear 
the mainstream media are unwilling to fact-check, 
and only too willing to persist in spreading 
uncorroborated and unfalsifiable rumor. This 
statement is to give our positive experiences 
with Jake from our first-hand, long-term 
perspectives, over many public and private situations.

We do not claim to know what happened in precise 
situations that we were not present for, and we 
do not want to trivialise and minimise any pain 
that may have been caused. But we are observing ? 
beyond the allegations, that are not for us to 
comment on specifically ? an egregious character 
assassination is being played out with numerous 
defamations online and offline. This is not how 
the truth can be determined, or justice for 
anyone done, whether law enforcement is to be trusted or not.

We would like to state that our experiences with 
Jake are different than what is often being 
portrayed. We know Jake to be a kind, loyal and 
dedicated person. We do understand Jake can be 
outspoken and provocative regarding a number of 
issues ? which can come across as offensive ? 
however, we have never found Jake to be as is being alleged.

We are not apologists for any genuine wrongdoing, 
and as women working in this community we know 
that there are struggles around sexism. However, 
simple punitivism is not how the human rights 
that we all defend should be enforced or framed.

We believe that an open and evidence-based 
discussion in this situation is necessary to 
allow our community to develop better processes 
to handle any allegations. Furiously targeting 
one person without allowing for proper fact 
analysis will never solve the bigger structural 
problem that has been highlighted. We should use 
this moment to grow and make things better, not 
destroy the movement and create divisions. We 
need to create a channel for discussions on how to make things better.

We stand in solidarity with Jake against the way 
this is being handled and on the side of justice 
for all, in hope the truth on all sides will be 
able to come to light in a rational and constructive manner.

Renata Avila, Human Rights Lawyer
Susan Benn, Artist
Cathleen Berger, Policy Advisor
Geraldine de Bastion, Policy Expert
Annegret Falter, Political Scientist
Marie Gutbub, Journalist
Sarah Harrison, Journalist
Christy Lange, Writer
Isik Mater, Infosec Specialist
Angela Richter, Theatre Director
Felicity Ruby, PhD Candidate
Joana Veron, Lawyer

The initial signatories to this statement (named 
above) have opened an email address to receive 
additional signatories as well as any other constructive comments.

Email: dueprocess@riseup.net
Key ID: 3D1CEF58
Key Fingerprint: 2A1D 7685 7AF0 ADD5 F3E5 D5B0 748C FAE0 3D1C EF58


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