"Banned for life"

The FCC is trying to stop Net Neutrality supporters from exercising their First Amendment rights. Donate $10 to help fight back.

Friend,

The Trump FCC is so determined to kill Net Neutrality that it's violating the rights of activists to peacefully protest.

The crackdown started early. During Pai's first open meeting as chairman, Net Neutrality supporters attempted to deliver letters in defense of the open internet. FCC security forced the activists to remove their protest signs from the building.

Then in March, two Free Press Action Fund members attempted to attend the FCC's open meeting wearing plain white T-shirts that read “Protect Net Neutrality” in black letters. FCC security informed the two that they wouldn't be allowed to enter the public meeting room unless they removed the T-shirts or flipped them inside out to conceal their message.

Chip in $10 to help protect the First Amendment rights of Net Neutrality activists.

It gets worse. During the FCC's April open meeting, agency security and Homeland Security police officers escorted five peaceful protesters from the meeting for singing a pro-Net Neutrality song — and then informed the activists that they would be “banned for life” from the building and could be banned from other federal buildings as well.

And after the FCC's May open meeting and press conference ended, agency security staff pinned CQ Roll Call reporter John M. Donnelly to the wall after he attempted to ask Commissioner Michael O'Rielly a question in a public area outside the open-meeting room.

This is scary stuff but we're not backing down.

We've submitted a letter1 to the FCC's general counsel demanding that the agency address these and other incidents, and explain its rationale for shutting up and shutting out Net Neutrality supporters. We won't give up until we get answers and our rights and freedoms are protected.

Friend, please chip in $10 to help stop the FCC's assault on the First Amendment.

People's freedom to participate in public forums is necessary for democracy to function — and so is our freedom to organize online and rally in the streets. You can bet we're planning to do all of these things in the coming months as the fight to save Net Neutrality intensifies. And you can bet that Trump, Pai and their pals will try to stop us. With your help, we won't let them.

We're aiming to raise $100K in 100 days to sustain the fight. Because we don't take a cent from business, government or political parties, your contribution is essential.

Thanks for all that you do—

Carrie, Candace and the rest of the Free Press Action Fund team
freepress.net

P.S. As threats to all of our fundamental freedoms skyrocket in the Trump era, our ability to speak freely and protest peacefully are crucial tools in the fight for justice. Chip in $10 to help protect the First Amendment rights of Net Neutrality activists.

1. Letter to FCC General Counsel, Free Press Action Fund, June 5, 2017: https://act.freepress.net/go/16860?t=11&akid=6479.10296224.rnaaNS