Science/Technology

Net Neutrality protesters demand Obama fire FCC chair Tom Wheeler

On the 6th of November, net neutrality protesters showed up at the White House demanding Obama fire or demote FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, a former Cable TV company lobbyist.

In the face of extreme public opposition to his plans to allow "paid prioritization" or website-paid Internet fast lanes, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler is attempting to use a "compromise" to reclassify Internet Service Providers as something other than neutral common carriers.

Video of the protest

DC cops caught using "stingray" cell phone tracking devices

A few weeks ago someone found that fake cellphone towers known as "stingrays" were very common in Washington DC, especially near government buildings. Now, vice.com has published a report that the Metropolitan Police Department is using them. The report states that in 2008, MPD began using the briefcase-size cell tower simulators they had originally obtained from an "anti-terror" grant years ago in ordinary "criminal" investigations. I strongly suspect that includes their illegal investigations of animal rights groups such as DARTT and of other activist groups such as Occupy DC.

FCC gets another Net Neutrality protest

On the 16th of September, net neutrality protesters returned to the headquarters of the FCC, where chairman Tom Wheeler is pushing a plan to allow "paid prioritization" of content from websites willing to pay internet service providers for premium access. This "internet fast lanes" plan would allow your phone or cable company to slow your access to videos from this site so that Facebook and Netflix would load faster, and could lead to the removal of most independent websites from the Internet if nobody can reach them. After all, the bandwidth has to come from somewhere.

Photo by We Act Radio 1480 AM

Net Neutrality activists stage people vs Big Telcos tug-o-war at FCC

On the 1st of July, net neutrality activists returned to the offices of the FCC, this time staging a tog of war between "the Big Telecoms" and "the People" with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler as a bystander. Suddenly, Chairman Wheeler changed his mind, joined on the side of the people, and the resulting greater force pulled down Comcast, Verizon, and At&T.

Musical video on Archive featuring corporate bribery of the FCC and Tug of War

Net Neutrality activists catch FCC Chair Tom Wheeler on street in front of FCC

The fight against paid prioritization of Internet content is not over. On the 2nd of June net neutrality activists returned to the FCC and by chance caught FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in the street as he left for the day. They asked him "which side are you on?"

Video on Archive

Protesters disrupt FCC as 3-2 vote scraps net neutrality

On the 15th of May, protesters banged bucket drums and bells outside the FCC while commissioners gathered to vote on "paid prioritization" of content. Ignoring the sound of people's anger from outside, and ejecting four activists who got into the hearing, they voted 3-2 to permit "paid prioritization" of content.

Downloadable video on archive.org

Occupy the FCC has 5 tents up, pickets the FCC every noon and evening rush

Part of the "Occupy the FCC" net neutrality campaign has been daily noon and 5PM pickets in front of the FCC.

Downloadable/click to play in newer browsers HD 720P video

FCC "People's Firewall" occupation extended until May 15 vote on Internet toll lanes

The occupation of the area around FCC headquarters has been extended until the May 15 vote on net neutrality or the Chairman's proposal to do away with it. On that day a larger noise demonstration will take place at 9AM outside the FCC, to ensure the voice of the people is heard inside.

May 9th Youtube video update on FCC/net neutrality situation

Net Neutrality activists begin occupation of area in front of FCC until 5-15 net neutrality vote

On the 7th of May, Internet neutrality activists showed up in front of FCC headquarters, announcing the start of an occuption that will last until a May 15 vote on a proposal to permit “paid prioritization” of bandwidth They are demanding that the FCC reclassify all Internet Service Providers as "common carriers" like phone companies are supposed to be.
Download link for video

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