{"id":2816,"date":"2017-12-13T14:45:52","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T22:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/?p=2816"},"modified":"2018-02-09T15:59:47","modified_gmt":"2018-02-09T23:59:47","slug":"attention-help-save-net-neutrality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/attention-help-save-net-neutrality\/","title":{"rendered":"ATTENTION! Help Save Net Neutrality!"},"content":{"rendered":"

From District Dispatch<\/a>:<\/p>\n

This Thursday, the FCC is expected to vote on a proposal from Chairman Ajit Pai that would rollback the strong, enforceable net neutrality protections established in 2015. The meeting will be\u00a0webcast<\/a>, 10:30 am \u2013 12:30 pm EST.<\/p>\n

As John Lewis said, \u201cEvery voice matters, and we cannot let the interests of profit silence the voices of those pursuing human dignity.\u201d The American Library Association (ALA) understands that net neutrality enables opportunities for all by protecting an open and accessible internet \u2013 so that every voice, idea, information seeker and person gets a chance to prosper using the dominant communications platform of our day.<\/p>\n

As we\u2019ve mentioned in the past, the vote this week will likely be a giant step backwards, but we and our allies will continue to vehemently advocate for a neutral net. Here are a few things going on this week:<\/p>\n

Putting the pressure on Congress<\/strong>
\nAdvocates have asked members of Congress to step in, as overseers of the FCC, to stop the impending vote on Thursday. Thousands of calls and emails have been sent from across the country, including nearly 37,000 emails using the ALA\u2019s library-specific action alert. The ALA also is one of more than 150 groups (including individual libraries!) that have signed a\u00a0joint letter<\/a>\u00a0to House and Senate committee leaders.<\/p>\n

Also yesterday,\u00a021 Internet and tech leaders<\/a>, headlined by Tim Berners-Lee, Vint Cerf and Steve Wozniak, and including inventors, innovators and creators of many of the fundamental technologies of the Internet, sent a letter to Congress with their own concerns.<\/p>\n

Wait for the FTC?<\/strong>
\nProponents of the draft order that will be voted on this Thursday have claimed consumers will still be protected from potential internet service provider misbehavior by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). But any day now,\u00a0a federal court is expected to rule<\/a>\u00a0on a case that has serious implications for the FTC\u2019s ability to help broadband consumers. At the end of last week, consumer groups and\u00a0advocates including ALA asked the FCC to wait<\/a>\u00a0on any decision on net neutrality until this case is decided.<\/p>\n

Making some noise<\/strong>
\nWhile we hope the efforts above will have an impact, advocates also are focused on activities to coincide with this week\u2019s FCC meeting, including vigils, rallies and continued online engagement. Here are a few ways that you can add your voice:<\/p>\n