Reclassification

Congress: Popular Resistance Conspired For Net Neutrality

March 17, 2015 Kevin Zeese, www.PopularResistance.org Resist! FCC, Internet Freedom, Net Neutrality, Reclassification

Today at the House Oversight and Government Reform Hearing, they are claiming that Popular Resistance was working with the White House in pressuring Tom Wheeler to enact rules in the public interest to protect the Internet. While we appreciate the attention, the reality is that Popular Resistance was part of a broad coalition of organizations and individuals who pushed for Title II and net neutrality rules. We played our role in protesting at key points throughout the process, helping to develop strategy with the net neutrality coalition, urging people to submit comments as well as writing and reporting about the issue. Near the end of the process when we still thought the FCC was not going to reschedule, and President Obama had remained silent, we also protested at the White House and urged people to call the president and tell him to support Title II. This is how the system is supposed to work. The FCC proposes a rule, seeks comments and listens. Corporate interests are so used to the public being ignored that they, and their puppets in Congress, are startled that a federal agency actually acted in the public interest.

FCC Net Neutrality Rules Published, Restores Common Carriage

March 12, 2015 Staff, www.freepress.net Educate! Common Carrier, FCC, Net Neutrality, Reclassification

The FCC has restored the principle of common carriage for Internet access, the most vital two-way communications platform of our time. These rules provide the nondiscriminatory access and free speech protections that millions of Internet users have called for — and that every Internet user needs. Anyone who believes that Internet users — and not Comcast, Verizon and AT&T — should control online communications should applaud the FCC's action. Now that Congress and everyone else can read the rules, we can continue to have a debate about protecting free speech on the Internet. But we can dismiss the ridiculous claims from the phone and cable companies and their fear-mongering mouthpieces. This is not a government takeover of the Internet or an onerous utility-style regulation. Any claims that these rules create new taxes or harm investment have been completely debunked. These rules are an all-too-rare example of Washington actually working for the people

Newsletter: When People Mobilize, We Can Win

February 28, 2015 Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers, www.PopularResistance.org Newsletter Climate Change, Cove Point, fast track, FCC Internet, Fracking, Gas, Gas export, Net Neutrality, Reclassification, TPP, Trade

This week was a busy one for Popular Resistance as three key campaigns had major updates. The success of the ten-month campaign to reclassify the Internet as a common carrier under Title II of the Federal Communications Act to ensure net neutrality has been widely reported. While widely reported, not all the reports described how the movement actually achieved it or what it means. We held a three-day sit-in at Senator Ron Wyden’s office. We are focused on Wyden because he is negotiating with Senator Orrin Hatch on Fast Track legislation. If Wyden joins with Hatch he will provide cover to other Democrats by making this a bi-partisan bill. The campaign to save Cove Point from a Dominion Resources fracked gas export terminal had a major event this week when 24 people went on trial.

Tell The FCC Why You Support Net Neutrality

February 18, 2015 Josh Tabish, www.openmedia.ca Resist! FCC, Net Neutrality, Reclassification, Tom Wheeler

Massive Jumbotron Outside FCC Will Let You Tell Why Net Neutrality Is Important The clock is ticking down fast to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) crucial decision about whether to allow Big Telecom to install slow lanes on our Internet. We have just over a week left to make our voices heard before they vote on a plan to stop Internet slow lanes – setting a new global standard for countries around the world. While FCC Chair Tom Wheeler appears to be moving in the right direction, new threats have emerged. Deep-pocketed cable lobbyists and their lackeys in Congress are running a deceptive, last-minute campaign to insert massive loopholes into the new rules. The next few days will be our last chance to make sure key leaders at the FCC hear our call. But to push back, a broad coalition of groups have a bold plan to counter Big Telecom spin and make ourselves heard by decision-makers at the FCC: we’ll park a giant JUMBOTRON right outside their office in Washington, D.C. as part of #InternetCountdown.

#DontBlockMyInternet: Actions Against Internet Providers

February 17, 2015 Staff. www.centerformediajustice.org Resist! FCC, Net Neutrality, Reclassification, Telecom

We are in a countdown towards the passage of Internet rules that will keep the Internet open for generations to come -- and we couldn’t be happier. The FCC is about to do the right thing and vote to reclassify the Internet as a public utility at its next meeting on February 26th. But the cable companies are pushing back and doing everything in their power to block our success. As Internet consumers, we’re already overcharged and under-represented. Our lives depend on an open Internet. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter, #Not1More, and #Fightfor15 all rely on the open Internet to mobilize a powerful public voice against police brutality, deportation, and for the rights of low-wage workers. That’s why the Media Action Grassroots Network and our partners are hosting actions across the country to say to Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and Time Warner: #DontBlockMyInternet

Another Visit To FCC Chairman Wheeler’s House

November 10, 2014 Staff, www.PopularResistance.org Organize! Common Carrier, FCC, Net Neutrality, Reclassification

We ended the day as we began it -- in the driveway outside of Tom Wheeler's house, but this visit was very different. A lot had happened since our first visit. President Obama spoke out in favor of everything we wanted: reclassification and net neutrality. He recognized the importance of equal access for all and the role of the Internet in encouraging creativity in the economy. After the president spoke out it was like a dam being opened. All sorts of key people, trade associations and corporations came out for reclassification and net neutrality. These new additions to the discussion showed a strong national consensus developing in favor of the proposals the net neutrality community has been urging. We decided to give Tom Wheeler and his wife a bottle of wine. In it we included the lyrics of the song "Which Side Are You On, Tom?" as well as a note saying "We are looking to support at Internet hero?" Wheeler came home, shook our hands and we had a friendly exchange, then we spoke about the national consensus that was developing and how the rulemaking proceeding had served an excellent role in helping to create that consensus.

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