#Introduction

Due to multiple subscribers complaining about the disruptive influence of users from the imageboard leftypol on discussion regarding the temporary ban of /u/not_safe_for_worf and more general discussions about moderation policy, a moderator-led inquiry - spearheaded by /u/enji-iro - into the matter was conducted from Saturday 2016-01-15 to early the following Monday. Before the committee was formed, the committee members expected to find evidence of mass actions on the part of a great number of leftypol users and fellow subscribers to be a (causal) factor in the sharp increase in traffic and disruption. However, as this investigative report will demonstrate, the events of the past two weeks cannot be explained without knowledge of a long-term conspiracy timely executed to exploit any discourse on /r/socialism moderation policy in favour of using the subreddit as a forum where more freedom for bigoted content would be allowed.

The source material backing up this report is based primarily on archives of an old Discord server not presented to public view. Access to this server was established during a conversation with a person whose Reddit username is signed on the petition. They provided an invite link to the server *unprovoked* in an effort to create distance between it and themselves - on the basis of forgery. A [Pastebin post](http://pastebin.com/2VvtLbGx) and an [Imgur album](http://imgur.com/a/YB919) are available for corroboration of references to this server. Otherwise, there will be direct citations within the body of the report.

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#Findings

To start things off chronologically, let's examine [the petition itself](https://www.reddit.com/user/ayy_howzit_braddah/submitted/). The original post implies the document was written *in medias res* as a response to the drama involving /u/not_safe_for_worf. However, as early as 2016-12-18, nearly one month before the event in question, a document with a very similar preamble and the same exact demands was produced in the server. (For continuity, [here](http://i.imgur.com/oWZrvzx.png?1) are document details for the current petition as of the publishing of this report.) These facts, along with those below, illustrate the forethought the coalition leading the "Reddit Revolution" had.

Next are the demands. The first and third are of particular interest. As a reminder, they read:

> \#1: The removal of all current /r/socialism mods

and

> \#3: New mod elections to be instituted immediately.

These two demands in combination stress the democratic nature of the movement. Such nature does not mesh well with [what was said in private](http://imgur.com/a/UDG1Y). This album only presents the Highlight Reel, but there are more from the archive. There were multiple calls for the use brigadiers if necessary, and against a poll - a bare standard for democratic procedure. Notable is /u/Ayy_Howzit_Braddah's wavering stance on how to gain the changes he seeks. He claims that if changes on /r/socialism do not come, he will move on to another subreddit. This contradicts a major element of his petition - that it is of, for, and by /r/socialism users. Additionally, the continued attemps at collaboration with /u/cometparty isn't compatible with the will of those who won't stop until a "clean sweep" is done.

The above constitutes a prima face case against the first petitioners, so the committee examined more thoroughly. It is insufficient to know what happened, but **who was doing it** and **what they wanted**.

The first question shall be answered with some reference to the Highlight Reel, as some clemency must be granted to those caught in the scheme. Let's start with what was already known: It is known that /u/Ayy_Howzit_Braddah was the de facto leader - the petition post, the accompanying public server, [the recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nEqLmp3A1I) of the discussion between him and current /r/socialism moderators, and now the planning server eliminate all doubt. Yet, he was not alone, and not the sole person implicated. A one Xexizy, from beginning to end, contributed to planning, even going so far as to decide which moderators to collaborate with, and comment on the benefits and limitations of any tactics proposed. These contributions are in addition to providing airtime for the Reddit Revolution [not once](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWThp4EMQRE), but [twice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBTcA6OxQcA). By his side was /u/dragonnninja1001, who insisted on multiple occasions to use brigadiers as a strategy. Of course, other users - /u/SabotTheCat, /u/base_model_android (aka jailbot), etc. - significantly participated in the planning stage.

Now - what does everyone want? We can look to the planning server, petition, [its thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/socialism/comments/5nwxph/meta_petition_regarding_the_moderation_of/?limit=500), public discussion server, and the recording as sources. In the style of the petition, let's enumerate the demands:

> #1: The removal of all current /r/socialism mods

is neither clear nor universal. From the start, in the thread, there were calls to keep the staff as is, or at least to avoid a clean sweep. Moreover, AHB, on multiple occassions in the recording and on the public server, advocated for the current mods to step in and assist new elected moderators. How long this caretaker period would last was and is still unknown. Yet, a majority in the server and a minority in the thread remained steadfast on the letter of this demand.

> #2: The institution of a democratically decided moderator policy.

On this front, the petition leaders ignored the needs of those expressing support for the current policies on and [off](https://imgur.com/a/HmM0N) the thread. Further, from the planning/discussion servers and the recording, the leadership desires the scope and extent of moderation to be scaled back. Specifically, the ableism policy as it stands currently must be scrapped, and users, experienced with or new to socialism - both on Reddit and as a whole - must be allowed to make mistakes and not be judged on the basis of what they say off /r/socialism (such liberties are not to be granted to moderators, however), even if/when a 101-level environment exists as an alternative to the larger subreddit and those mistakes push away further marginalised and abjected populations within the global working class from it.

> #3: New mod elections to be instituted immediately.

Although /r/socialism moderators are in favour of this procedure as well, the initiators of the Reddit Revolution intended to get the result desired by undemocratic means (see the planning server). What we - the mods - ultimately will sanction is an election for *additional* members.

> #4: The institution of a public moderation log in the form of a subreddit whose name shall be determined.

There's nothing controversial about this policy. In fact, the current /r/socialism staff wants to implement it, is working towards it, and apologises for the delay.

***

#Conclusion

Despite the posturing on the part of the leadership done to create a democratic, organic facade, the Reddit Revolution is at best a confused movement, and at worst a farce. The petition was not backed up by a solid front, and, in a contradictory manner, all democratic measures proposed were to be undermined. The leaders - /u/Ayy_Howzit_Braddah and Xexizy - and fellow initiator /u/dragonninja1001 were willing to manipulate genuine concern on the part of /r/socialism users for their own purposes. The majority of the signatories deserve clemency, and we want their best interests, but those at the top cannot be trusted. The past two weeks were a learning experience, and /r/socialism users can expect scrutiny and suspicion on the part of moderation if future developments like this occur.