- This event has passed.
March & Rally for Net Neutrality
December 7, 2017 @ 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm EST
Coinciding with national protests for Net Neutrality. Meet at Delaware Park near the *Statue of David* (lv 4:30sharp), march to Nottingham Terrace, up Delaware Ave to Verizon Store @ 2290 Delaware Ave Suite 800, Buffalo, NY 14216. Or meet us at Verizon 5:00 PM. NOTE: PLEASE MAKE CALLS!! – see below – and check this page on the day of since a severe storm is forecast (postponement possible). https://www.facebook.com/events/549334235402944/?active_tab=about
An overwhelming majority of Americans support Net Neutrality, yet the FCC is still hoping to get rid of it. We aren’t just rallying for a free internet, but for basic democratic values! Since the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was born in Buffalo, it seems even more important that we show Washington that real Buffalonians oppose him and his ISP-backed attack on a free and open internet.
Please dress appropriately for December in Buffalo! Make signs! Make your message visible to passersby and drivers! We want people to know why we are protesting! And reminder that this is a peaceful protest!
Helpful links, contacts, & information:
Get Involved! Make phone calls! Send emails! Contact your representatives and let them know that you support strong Net Neutrality rules under Title II. The five FCC commissioners may be voting on December 14th to repeal net neutrality. If Pai gets his way, then it would be up to Congress to step in to get Net Neutrality back!
FCC Leadership Contact:
Ajit Pai, Chairman
Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov
(202) 418-1000
Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner
Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov
Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner
Mike.O’Rielly@fcc.gov
Brendan Carr, Commissioner
Brendan.Carr@fcc.gov
Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner
Jessica.Rosenworcel@fcc.go
Toll-Free Voice:
1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322)
Representatives Contact:
Rep. Chris Collins
Washington: (202) 225-5265
Williamsville: (716) 634-2324
Rep. Brian Higgins
Washington: (202) 225-3306
Buffalo: (716) 852-3501
Sen. Chuck Schumer
(202) 224-6542
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
(202) 224-4451
What even is Net Neutrality?
Net neutrality is the concept that consumers and businesses should be able to reach the online applications and services of their choosing without interference from their broadband provider. In other words, that all data and all legal traffic that travels over the Internet should be treated equally [1]. An internet service provider (ISP) should not be able to charge you extra money to access certain sites and information, nor should they be able to block your ability to reach the entire internet.
Who is Ajit Pai and the FCC?
Born in Buffalo, Ajit Pai is the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the government organization tasked with regulating communication technologies and companies in the US [3]. President Trump appointed him to this position in January 2017. As a former Associate General Counsel at Verizon, he is currently hoping to rush a vote to kill Net Neutrality on December 14th. The five FCC commissioners alone can vote on this, and so far 3 of the 2 appear to be siding with repeal of Net Neutrality. If this happens, it’s up the Congress to pass a law that would keep Net Neutrality rules [4].
What happens if Pai succeeds?
If Net Neutrality is dismantled, your internet provider will be free to begin charging you extra to access certain packages, and they could legally block any web-sites of their choosing. For example, Verizon owns Yahoo!, and could easily block your access to Google or other search engines and force you to use Yahoo! instead.
Isn’t Net Neutrality just more government control?!
Absolutely not! Net Neutrality is the opposite of controlling the internet. There are myths out there that Net Neutrality would allow the government to censor the sites you visit and block content they don’t like. But that’s a lie! In fact, Net Neutrality prevents your internet provider from doing just that. If you are afraid of your internet being censored (which is a real fear), then you support Net Neutrality!
What is Title II?
Title II is the legal foundation on which the FCC enacted the Open Internet Order of 2015, which established rules for internet service providers (ISPs) regarding net neutrality [2]. Title II of the Communications Act concerns something called “common carriers,” which also covers utilities like landline phones and electricity. The 2015 Open Internet Order reclassified broadband internet service under Title II (it was previously classified under Title I as an “information service”), which provided the legal basis for the FCC to enforce net neutrality rules [2].
1. FCC Commissioner Clyburn. “FACT SHEET: Understanding Chairman Pai’s Proposal to Dismantle Net Neutrality.” www.fcc.gov, 22 Nov. 2017.
2. “Title II is the key to net neutrality—so what is it?” https://www.dailydot.com/
3. “What We Do.” https://www.fcc.gov/
4. April Glaser. “How to Save Net Neutrality Before It’s Destroyed.” www.slate.com, 22 Nov. 2017.