iphone: They're coming after Avaaz

Dear friends,

We've just been issued an ultimatum.

Putin's regime is threatening to shut down Avaaz in Russia if we don't stop our mega-campaign to end the war in Ukraine. Our answer is: No Way!

But defying Putin's orders could come with significant threats. The Kremlin has a formidable cyber-warfare capacity that they're using to silence anyone who challenges Putin or the war. And it's not just Russia -- as our impact has grown, our campaigns are being blocked by repressive regimes around the world, and Avaaz staffers have received abuse, harassment and even been arrested and jailed.

So we urgently need to boost Avaaz's security, ensuring we have resources to hire the best security experts, top lawyers, and move staff to safety when threats become critical. All this will cost, and we don't want to divert funds from our campaigning -- but if all of us getting this email chip in just a bit, we won't have to.

Donate now -- let's help our movement resist censorship, and ensure that our brave staff are safe as we stand up for freedom, human rights and democracy everywhere:

I'LL DONATE R$15

I'LL DONATE R$25

I'LL DONATE R$35

I'LL DONATE R$55

I'LL DONATE R$90

OTHER AMOUNT

There's a reason we're coming under this pressure -- our campaigns are having impact. Now, with the Russian regime demanding we take down our campaign to bring peace to Ukraine, that pressure could grow even greater.

We're not caving to their demands. But our stand will put even more of a target on our back. All our small donations could add up to allow us to:

Strengthen our cyber-security to protect our people and our campaigns;
Increase the physical security of our most at-risk staff and hire lawyers ready to leap into action when needed;
Keep standing up for the Ukrainian people as Russia's onslaught continues;
Power major campaigns to defend democracy against authoritarianism, human rights abuse and repressive regimes everywhere.

Chip in to help fight back against the censors and protect Avaaz:

I'LL DONATE R$15

I'LL DONATE R$25

I'LL DONATE R$35

I'LL DONATE R$55

I'LL DONATE R$90

OTHER AMOUNT

With 70 million members, we've become one of the largest global movements defending democracy ever. And because of that, we're on the radar of some of the most brutal and corrupt regimes on the planet. Now they're trying to shut us down -- so let's build an iron wall around Avaaz, so whatever they try, our movement only gets stronger.

With hope and determination,

Bert, Marigona, Camille, Adela, Mike, Kaitlin, Ana Paula, Marta and the whole team at Avaaz

More information:

Russia Takes Censorship to New Extremes, Stifling War Coverage (NY Times)
Russia: Growing Internet Isolation, Control, Censorship (Human Rights Watch)
Putin Unbound: How Repression at Home Presaged Belligerence Abroad (Foreign Affairs)
The long arm of the authoritarian state (Washington Post)
Out of Sight, Not Out of Reach (Freedom House)

Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

You became a member of the Avaaz movement and started receiving these emails when you signed "Community Petitions Site" on 2016-08-14 using the email address iphone108@gmail.com.

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