Net Neutrality activists had one simple question for the FCC chairman yesterday: What side are you on, Tom?
Net Neutrality supporters Popular Resistance organized political street theater outside the FCC on Tuesday. The goal: Urge Chairman Tom Wheeler to reclassify Internet service providers (ISPs) as common carriers. It’s the only real way to protect Net Neutrality and ban a play-for-play Internet.
They were joined by Code Pink, Free Press, the Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press and other Net Neutrality activists outside the FCC.
Net Neutrality activists held signs high: “HONK for Net Neutrality,” “One Internet for Everyone,” “Reclassify the Internet as a Common Carrier,” and “NO to Internet Discrimination.” Many FCC staffers looked on as they headed out for lunch.
Activists also sung chants, which included a remix of a popular Queen song:
Tom, are you a slick man, bought man
Lobby for your fat cat friends, slipping tiered net rules
End Neutrality
No equality
Just profits for the telecom industry
We will, we will, rock you.
Activists then squared off against telecom fat cats representing AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast in a tug-o-war, while a giant cut-out head of Chairman Wheeler looked on.
As the two sides competed for the future of the Internet, activists sung:
(Chorus)
“Which Side Are You On, Tom,
Which side are you on?
Are you with the people or with the telecoms?
(Verse)
The Internet is our commons
We use it every day
But now the giant telecom
Would make it based on pay
(Repeat Chorus)
(Verse)
For equal access Internet
Neutrality must not die;
We don’t want flimsy rules
We say reclassify
(Repeat Chorus)
(Verse)
Oh listen to the people
Their comments you must see
They say the Internet
Is a public utility
(Repeat Chorus)
(Verse)
Don’t forget that your job is
To serve the people’s will
So don’t give away our Internet
And leave us with the bill
The tug-o-war ended with the people prevailing as their telecom opponents fell to the street in defeat.
The public is united in support of reclassifying ISPs as a common carrier, and in opposition to the Chairman’s plan to create fast and slow lanes online. Anyone who wants real Net Neutrality needs to tell the FCC to side with the public as well. Send your comments today.