[tor-talk] victory at kilton library

[Alison Macrina]

> i just want to share the news that all of the hard work that has gone
> into the library freedom project paid off today at kilton library.
> despite pressure from the us federal government, which pulled out every
> card to sell fear that they had in their hat, the local community
> refused to accept it and thought on a global level to support the
> library's choice to offer a tor relay to the public.
> 
> this is truly a monumental moment. libraries in the usa have often been
> the target of hostile actions that threaten the first amendment of the
> us constitution and the privacy rights of people. through a long string
> of legal battles, libraries have earned an extraordinary position that
> provides them with the ability to offer services that could land other
> people in significant legal battles which become both legally and
> politically difficult to close down.
> 
> i'd just like to say thank you to everyone involved in the library
> freedom project who came up with the idea and didn't run away from the
> fight. this is an excellent beginning.
> 
> if you can, please send your support to the library freedom project.
> https://libraryfreedomproject.org/donate
> 
> this is a great victory for today.


Thank you! I think I can speak for both mrphs and myself when I say that
we are thrilled with the outcome. What we saw last night was an
incredible display of community support for free speech and Tor, and an
unequivocal rejection of unlawful government intrusion and FUD. The
Lebanon Libraries staff and community did something historic; I've been
an activist for a long time and I've never been a part of a direct
action quite like that. This is what happens when communities come
together to resist.

Please keep an eye out for more news coverage. The local news in NH has
already put something up with a few great quotes from community members
present: http://www.vnews.com/home/18620952-95/library-joins-privacy-network

If you're on twitter, say hi to @leblibraries or @nhleblibraries -- the
second one is library director Sean Fleming, and I know he'd be moved to
hear from folks in the Tor community about what his library community
did last night.

Thanks all for your support. We just had the world's first Tor protest,
and it was a wild success. Imagine all the library exit relays we're
gonna get now. :)

Alison (director of Library Freedom Project)