KEEP THE INTERNET FREE !
Terri L-R.Avaaz
Dear friends,
In days the US government is expected to announce strong new rules protecting the free and open internet. But Republican leaders in Congress, backed by the richest telecom giants, are trying to sabotage the plan. Let's send Congressional leaders a very clear message: keep the internet free.
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Something remarkable is happening -- this week the FCC is expected to announce strong new rules protecting a free and open internet. Republican leaders in Congress, backed by the richest telecom giants, are trying to sabotage the rules. But if we stand together we can win the fight to defend our digital freedom.
The internet has opened up new worlds of information, innovation and democratic expression for billions of people. That’s why President Obama and the top regulator at the FFC are supporting a principle called Net Neutrality -- open and equal access to free speech on the net. That’s great for everyone except companies like Verizon and Comcast, who stand to make billions from price discrimination. So now mega-corporations are lobbying Congress to strip the FCC of its regulatory power to protect us.
Together we can prevent the congressional counter-attack bill from getting out of committee. Once we reach 50,000 signatures, Avaazers will descend on D.C. to deliver our call directly to ranking members on key Senate and House committees:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/us_net_neutrality_feb_c/?bYCKhab&v=52938
The Internet has always been a level playing field -- the expression and ideas of a mega-corporation don’t load any faster than the website of a citizen journalist. But now this basic principle, that all sites have equal access to reach people through the same internet, is under attack.
We can win this fight. Last year, against huge odds and well-funded adversaries, Avaaz members helped pass strong Net Neutrality rules in the European Union, Brazil, and Italy. And along with allies we collected almost 4 million comments to the Federal Communications Commission, the body in charge of internet regulations in the US.
But the corporate censors, and the politicians whose elections they bankroll, are fighting tooth and nail. We've got to stand-up now to prevent 21st Century corporate censorship -- sign the petition and share with everyone:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/us_net_neutrality_feb_c/?bYCKhab&v=52938
Avaaz members are winning the fight for Net Neutrality across the globe! Now it’s time to ensure the US moves to protect the free and level internet playing field we deserve.
With hope,
Terra, David, John, Ricken, and the Avaaz team
More Information:
Stunning victory within reach for Net Neutrality advocates (Huffington Post)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/net-neutrality-fcc_n_6555036.html
Obama to the FCC: Adopt the 'strongest possible rules' on Net Neutrality, including Title II (Washington Post)
5 Major ways internet could change without Net Neutrality (ABC)
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/major-ways-internet-change-net-neutrality/story?id=26815256
EU votes in favour of Net Neutrality, strikes down roaming charges (CS Monitor)
3.7 million comments later, here's where Net Neutrality stands (NPR)
Net Neutrality (EFF)
https://www.eff.org/issues/net-neutrality