OpenMedia Joins Massive Internet-Wide Day of Action to Defend Net Neutrality and Prevent Internet Slow Lanes

OpenMedia is joining today's massive Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality and oppose the FCC's plan to slash Title II, the legal foundation for Net Neutrality rules that protect online free speech and innovation. Twitter, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Reddit, Netflix, OK Cupid, Mozilla, Etsy, PornHub, Vimeo, Imgur, Medium, and many other household names are participating alongside thousands of individuals, organizations, and websites.

OpenMedia is urging its hundreds of thousands of U.S. supporters to take action by contacting Congress and the FCC. The digital rights group warns that the Internet we know and love will change dramatically for the worse if Net Neutrality is lost. Without Net Neutrality, innovation would be stifled, already-marginalized voices would be silenced, and telecom providers could strike backroom deals to put certain websites in a fast lane, with everyone else consigned to a slow lane. Knock-on effects would be felt not just in the U.S. but across the globe.

"Net Neutrality is effectively the First Amendment of the Internet, ensuring free speech, innovation, and our basic liberties are protected online," said Katy Anderson, digital rights specialist with OpenMedia. "Each and every day we hear from supporters across the U.S. worried about how FCC chair Ajit Pai is placing the selfish interests of powerful telecom giants ahead of the millions of consumers and businesses who depend on Net Neutrality."

Anderson continued: "This isn't just a technology issue, it's also one of the most important civil rights challenges of our time. Nobody wants powerful telecom companies to control what they read, say, see, and do online. Nobody wants an Internet where only wealthy and privileged interests have a voice, at the expense of everybody else. That's why today we're proud to stand and fight alongside our allies to defend the Internet we know and love."

A U.S.-wide opinion poll released earlier this week revealed strong support for Net Neutrality, spanning the political spectrum. 77 percent of Americans support keeping existing Net Neutrality rules in place, including 73 percent of Republicans, 80 percent of Democrats, and 76 percent of Independents.

OpenMedia has a long history of defending Net Neutrality, including the historic fight to win the 2015 Open Internet Order that Trump-appointed FCC Chair Ajit Pai is now trying to overturn. The organization also played a leading role in securing Canada's recent decision to strengthen its own Net Neutrality rules, marking the United States' northern neighbor as a leader in protecting digital innovation and the public interest when it comes to the open Internet.

People can send their message to the FCC before the initial July 17 deadline at BattleForTheNet.com