We all can agree on this one thing: the Internet is vital in allowing us to connect and in allowing us to express ourselves and our unique ideas freely!
Today many prominent US-run websites including Wikipedia and Reddit have blacked-out access to their sites in protest of two laws being decided in the US Congress very soon…the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect-IP act.
While proponents say these acts strive to stop online piracy and protect copyright laws, they ALSO give the US Government the power to restrict how US citizens see and use the internet. And as you know, where the government has power, major corporations will also have power.
DO NOT let the government and big business lobbyists control the flow of information in this country!
Here is a list of reps for your area and their contact information provided by Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:CongressLookup? We have both emailed ours.
Here is a petition you can sign hosted by Google: https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/ We signed.
If you want to keep your favorite sources of information and blogs open to the public without censor, we suggest you email and sign too!
Please help us send a message to congress that the American people want a free and open internet where innovation or unique perspectives cannot be stifled by the government and mega corporations!
Thanks Sara and Grant
I second this, Sara and Grant. I’ve been distressed at news coverage of this, which usually summarizes by saying merely that this is a protest against “anti-piracy laws.” However, the issue is not one of restricting access to illegal content; the issue is that websites large and small will be subject to being shut down with little cause, little notice, and little recourse.
I urge everybody to spread awareness of the pending legislation, sign petitions, and contact their elected representatives.
I agree totally.
Thanks for the information. I signed and reposted the info on FB
Thanks for making it easy fo us to voice our opinion! abby
What a pity we’re in the UK and don’t have a valid Zip code – it won’t take postcodes! But I support the cause of free speech with every fibre of my being
I totally agree. Heard about it yesterday on the internet radio. I have heard also anecdotal stories that many governments including the one of the US would rather put the internet genie back in the bottle.
Can you sign as non US citizen? and does that make sense from a result driven point of view?
Hi Sara & Grant,
I am a Canadian and it has been on the news up here, too. Unfortunately we have no say and unfortunately whatever the USA does affects the world yet the world gets no say.Kind of like living next door to a mostly benevolent bully!
R.
Well you know my predicament…working for the Ministry of Justice ( NOT employed by them)…and even in this context not even allowed to be on FB.The net is indeed closing in. Sarah,LD,UK
Playing catch up this week:)
I totally agree with you. I’m afraid we have no say in the UK at the moment but hopefully that will change.
Love,
Ronnie
xx
Progress! The vote has been indefinitely delayed:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/20/us-usa-congress-internet-idUSTRE80J10X20120120
Thanks for your support everyone! And good to know L…I appreciate the update!