Template:Appeal/Pepe/en

From Wikipedia author Pepe Robles

I grew up in Argentina during a military dictatorship and many of my friends were murdered for their dreams of a better world.

When I was 17, several friends and I were painting political slogans on a wall when paramilitaries came up, automatic weapons drawn, and subjected us to a mock execution. We survived that day, but I've had many friends "disappeared" for their dreams. Many, many, many.

For me, Wikipedia is part of those dreams. Wikipedia is a product of the youth, of young dreamers. It's collective learning and solidarity. It's not about making money but about making the world better. The power of Wikipedia is the power of everyone. The knowledge we freely share with everyone is profoundly democratic.

We don't advertise on Wikipedia, because if there were advertising, Wikipedia's essence would be lost. It is a populist project and it has to be funded by the people. You may think that $5 is very little, but I think it’s a lot, because we’re talking about millions who donate, hundreds of millions who come to the site every month.

Please give donate $5, €10, ¥1000 or whatever you can to help us this year.

Today, my son is 19 years old and he can think what he wants, say what he wants, get involved in politics or become an activist -- it’s very important for me that there is freedom like this. Wikipedia is a part of this new open world that I dreamed about when I was his age.

For me, it’s as if I was walking down the street and I see that my youthful dreams are now walking at my side.

Thank you,

Pepe Robles
Wikipedia Author