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After 18 years with the Free Software Foundation, I've decided to resign my position as executive director, effective at the end of a transition period. We'll be sharing further details, including information about that transition, and a few more words, in the coming days. It's been a humbling honor to serve this institution, and to work alongside the FSF's staff, members, and volunteers over the years. The current staff deserve your full confidence and support -- they certainly have mine.

@johns I'll say here what I said on the twitter: you're a good man in a tough spot. You've always had my respect and today you have my sympathy. It's tough to walk away after this much time, after so much devotion. Thank you for everything you've done, all the people you've supported, all you've given.

@johns Sorry to hear that. Thank you for all you've done for software freedom.

@johns so used to seeing your name in bulletins! Hopefully you aren't burnt out. Thanks, and good luck.

@johns @johns Thanks for all you have done for Free Software and the FSF. It's often been hard on you, but you've done it nonetheless, with humility and style. My memory goes to our first meeting in our respective "official capacities", back at DebConf10. Hats off to you my friend !

@zacchiro @johns Thanking him for what?

Covering up harassment complaints in the office for years?

Covering up death threats and sexual assault @ LibrePlanet directed to yours truly?

Firing employees for coming forward with their stories?

Or maybe its how he feels free to out transgender employees to the entire world on the front page of FSF.org...

Yeah you are right, we all have a lot to thank John for!!! Best ED EVER!

@johns Thank you John for your work.

It's been a difficult period for all of us in #FreeSoftware and #FSF, I can't being to imagine how it is to be in the middle of it.

Hopefully we'll still meet at FOSDEM.

@johns Thank you for everything you’ve done at the FSF. I and other #GNU hackers working for a change appreciated when you would take the time to listen and to discuss, even though we knew you were most likely between a rock and hard place.

Looking forward to meeting you again in the fight for user freedom for all!

@johns There is not much I can add to @civodul's post, I also appreciated our discussion on the future of #gnu. I know it must be hard to leave after a long time, but hope this will be an occasion to start new and exciting endeavours. Looking forward to seeing you at another #fosdem!

@johns We appreciate your dedication over those years. It is a pity it had to come to this.

@johns Sorry to hear you ceded to the angry mob who doesn’t want to discuss anything https://github.com/rms-support-letter/rms-support-letter.github.io/issues/175

This is not how people should resolve conflict.

@johns Thanks for everything, John. Best of luck with whatever comes next.

I have always enjoyed our time together @johns and look forward to enjoying future times. Though likely not while I crash your office because it was cheaper to fly to an event over a week ahead of time... Thanks for all that you've done to support a #bigandlittleFfree world, I eagerly look forward to word of where you direct those efforts next!

@johns I'm very sad that it's come to this. I'm not happy to see you go. Here's my recognition, appreciation and gratitude for the huge amount of great work you've done so far for the FSF and for the Free Software movement. You have my deep respect for standing for what you believe in, despite our recent disagreements and the very rough months we've gone through. Though I expect our paths will still cross many times, gnuspeed!

@johns Really? You are going to step down your position after you have abused your power for so long... Covering up harassment & sexual harassment in the work place... Exposing employee medical histories when they are fired...

And you can't even be bothered to fire Ruben while you see your self out the door?

Sad.

@johns work well done! Thank you for so great personal contribution and effort! We hope successors will do it as good as you
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