This was a heartbreaking, but important decision for us to make and I hope the transparency we offer sends a strong message about the resiliency of the digital rights movement. We will come together again. Exactly how and where will, as always, be informed by the RightsCon community: https://lnkd.in/ecvtAFNP. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the outpouring of support and solidarity over these last few days. I am deeply grateful for and in awe of the care and commitment from this community. We'll meet again soon.
Following our April 29 announcement, we believe it is important to be transparent about the context that led to the decision. We want to explain, where we can, why this announcement was made on such short notice, only days before we were set to welcome more than 2,600 participants in person, and 1,100 online, representing over 150 countries and 750 institutions. Read our full statement:
Alison Pearce
1mo
Thanks for the update. I've been thinking about you, the team, and the participants all week, Nikki. This must be so tough.
Ashiya Dewan
1mo
The care behind this decision, as well as your team's quick and community-centred responses under immense pressure reflect the strength of the RightsCon community. Thank you and we look forward to the ways in which it comes together again 🤍
Eliana Quiroz
1mo
Dear Nikki, it is sad and worrying all this cancelation and geopolitics. The statement helps a lot to understand and I am really thankful for thay but it also should bring us together to think in new strategies to fight back. Things have changed and what we are seing now is far from being the worst scenary.
Keith Gladstone
1mo
I am very proud of you!
Seher Shafiq
1mo
Thank you for sharing, Nikki, and so sorry that your team has had to go through this.
Ania Gaboune
1mo
Huge solidarity to you and the team Nikki- such a jarring moment for global civic space.
Verónica Arroyo
1mo
Dear Nikki, this is so sad, but that statement sates clearly all the efforts made by your team. The RC team is resilient, it was during the pandemic and it has shown to be resilient now. Better times will come ✨
Really saddened to hear about the cancellation of RightsCon 2026. I can only imagine how difficult this decision was for the team. Holding space for everyone who had hoped to gather, connect, and push forward digital rights work together.