The Kilton Public Library in Lebanon, New Hampshire started running a Tor exit node in July as a pilot project by the Library Freedom Project to bring Tor nodes to public libraries. Recently they took down the Tor exit node after a visit by local police notified by the Department of Homeland Security.
We join with the Library Freedom Project, Massachusetts ACLU, EFF and others in condemning this action by the Department of Homeland Security to censor free speech. They are spot on when they say:
The Department of Homeland Security’s preemptive crackdown against the Lebanon community’s free speech is wrong. Asking the town to shutter its Tor relay is akin to advising that the town close public parks because crimes may be committed there. The underlying fear – that Tor is primarily for criminals-is a gross misrepresentation of Tor and its users, effectively criminalizing the millions of people who use the network for fully legitimate purposes. As recognized by its funders at the State Department, Tor is an essential piece of internet infrastructure, granting people worldwide a measure of freedom from surveillance and censorship. Kilton Library has the right to use Tor, free from federal interference and fear mongering.
We urge the people of Lebanon, New Hampshire bring their Tor relay back online and send a clear message to DHS that they will not tolerate censorship.
Additionally, we offer our skills in helping any library in Massachusetts setup a Tor relay or exit node and teach library staff and patrons how to install and use Tor. Librarians are welcome to contact us at info@masspirates.org. Anyone interested in helping can also email us.
PS – The Library Freedom Project also has a useful how-to guide on setting up a GNU/Linux computer for your public library.
We join with the Library Freedom Project, Massachusetts ACLU, EFF and others in condemning this action by the Department of Homeland Security to censor free speech. They are spot on when they say:
We urge the people of Lebanon, New Hampshire bring their Tor relay back online and send a clear message to DHS that they will not tolerate censorship.
Additionally, we offer our skills in helping any library in Massachusetts setup a Tor relay or exit node and teach library staff and patrons how to install and use Tor. Librarians are welcome to contact us at info@masspirates.org. Anyone interested in helping can also email us.
PS – The Library Freedom Project also has a useful how-to guide on setting up a GNU/Linux computer for your public library.