Net Neutrality Supporters Announce Operation #OneMoreVote

WASHINGTON — Demand Progress, Fight for the Future and Free Press Action Fund, which have organized many of the largest online protests in history, have announced Operation #OneMoreVote, an internet-wide day of action on Feb. 27.

On this day, internet users, small businesses, online communities, public-interest groups and popular websites will harness their reach to flood lawmakers with calls, emails and tweets aimed at securing the final vote in the Senate needed to pass a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval overturning the FCC’s unpopular repeal of Net Neutrality protections. The groups will also hold constituent meetings with key lawmakers.

See the announcement on the coalition’s website: https://www.battleforthenet.com/onemorevote

Protest planning led by Demand Progress, Fight for the Future and Free Press Action Fund is underway. Companies including Etsy, Imgur, Medium, Namecheap, Sonos and Vimeo are participating along with groups like the ACLU, Common Cause, Engine and Daily Kos. Many other participants will be announced in the coming days.

Fifty senators have come out in support of the CRA, which would undo the FCC’s Dec. 14 decision and restore Net Neutrality protections that prevent internet service providers from throttling, blocking and otherwise discriminating against online traffic and services.

The Feb. 27 push will focus on securing the final vote needed to pass the resolution in the Senate. Advocates will also take the fight to the House of Representatives, where Net Neutrality advocates are organizing pressure campaigns to reach the 218 supporters needed to force the CRA to the floor.

“The FCC was wrong to repeal the Net Neutrality protections. Everyone knows that, which is why we’ve seen incredible momentum behind the national movement to restore fundamental rights to internet users,” said Free Press Action Fund Campaign Director Candace Clement. “Millions of people have spoken out because they recognize how important the open internet is for racial justice, free expression, innovation and economic opportunity. Lawmakers are already following the public’s lead and signing up by the hundreds to overturn the FCC’s unpopular and unwise action. On February 27, millions of people will have their say, giving every member of Congress the chance to stand with their constituents and reject this awful decision.”

“The internet is on a mission to save Net Neutrality, and every member of the Senate needs to decide if they are with us or against us,” said Evan Greer, campaign director for Fight for the Future. “The FCC’s decision to let ISPs throttle websites and shake us down with new scams and extra fees was the most unpopular move in the agency’s history. The CRA gives our elected officials a clear way to reverse that decision, making it a simple up or down vote on the future of the open internet. On February 27, we’ll make sure they know their constituents expect them to do their jobs and vote on the right side of history.”

“The FCC vote to gut Net Neutrality protections was a historically bad decision — one that will negatively impact millions of Americans who rely on the internet for work, news, entertainment and so much more,” said Demand Progress Director of Communications Mark Stanley. “The massive unpopularity of the FCC’s move is reflected in an intense and continuing public backlash, including polling showing a vast majority of Americans from both parties oppose the repeal. One is hard pressed to think of a more unpopular policy coming out of Washington in recent years. No one in America except for the detested Big Telecom lobby is clamoring to see Net Neutrality rules repealed. For lawmakers, backing the CRA resolution to restore Net Neutrality presents the rare opportunity to be celebrated by voters from both parties, with no political downside apart from bucking the likes of Comcast and Verizon.”

Before the CRA can officially start moving, the FCC must enter its new rules into the Federal Register, which will start a countdown of 60 legislative days for the Senate to act. If the CRA passes both chambers, it will go to the president’s desk. Polling shows that the FCC repeal was unpopular with voters from across the political spectrum, including three out of four Republicans. Over the last year, Net Neutrality has emerged as a mainstream political issue, with millions of people contacting policymakers; broad participation from small businesses, major web companies and brands like Burger King; and hundreds of volunteer-led grassroots protests, in-district meetings and petition deliveries to congressional offices.

Previous days of action that Demand Progress, Fight for the Future and Free Press Action Fund organized drove unprecedented numbers of phone calls, emails and comments to lawmakers and the FCC. Their Dec. 7 day of action saw protests for Net Neutrality at 700 locations, in all 50 states.