Dear Wikipedians,

I'm leaving Wikimedia France, after 5 years at the board, 3 as chair, 3 as chair of the Scientific Committee. The violence which took place this summer and the way the Foundation behave (or rather, did nothing against it) are not acceptable. Here is a short explanation of my departure in English. The longer one, in French, is here: https://medium.com/@mathis.remi/la-toxicit%C3%A9-violence-sexisme-dune-parti...

Various dissensions and various oppositions have combined in recent months within Wikimedia France, culminating in some members questioning its governance. On this occasion, the community showed a behaviour which is not suitable for a democratic association.

Some members behave like a pack of hounds, leading to the departure of the executive director Nathalie Martin, after such a harassment on lists and social media that she filed a complaint against 12 people. That makes 13 with the complaint she already filed against the ex-chair Christophe Henner – now chair of the Wikimedia Foundation – for sexual harassment at the time they worked together. Other members of the board have been systematically harassed, sometimes with incredibly chauvinistic statements, leading to the departure of all the board but one member.

I continuously sent messages, from July to October, to the Foundation to warn them of what was going on. I even met its Legal Director, LaPorte, and its Chair, Henner. They did nothing to counter these violence, part of which took place on the lists and websites of the Foundation – they did nothing to protect these women. On the contrary, they continuously questioned the words and deeds of Wikimedia France board, providing legitimacy to those who spread obnoxious rumours and committed violence and abuse. Their sole preoccupation was to avoid a scandal, silence the victims, and protect their Chair.

Within an organization which struggles to find new members, which endeavours to be women-friendly and which communicate on their desire to be more inclusive, it raises a lot of questions. Even Hollywood begins to react and denounce people such as Weinstein: it is properly unbearable that the digital world – and not anyone, but one committed to the greater good – still hides the dust under the rug and refuse to take their responsibility against morbid, dangerous, violent or sexist behaviours.

Given all that, and after losing all hope to be heard – after months talking to a blank wall – I’m leaving Wikimedia France, resigning from it Scientific Committee, and strongly condemn the toxic and irresponsible strategy of the Wikimedia Foundation.

I also inform you that

*Frédéric Martel, culture and media journalist and author (France Culture) *Laurent Le Bon, president of the Picasso Museum *Cédric Villani, mathematician, Fields medallist

are also resigning from their position on the scientific committee.

Best,

Rémi Mathis Chair 2011-2014 Chair of the Scientific Committee 2014-2017 Global Wikipedian of the Year 2013