If corporations control the internet they control the most important organizing tool of our time.
Join us on Thursday Dec 7th from 11:30 until 1:30 to protest Verizon. The press conference will be at 12pm where our dynamic speakers will talk about how Net Neutrality affects them. We will stand in solidarity with Internet users across the country outraged at top Verizon lawyer turned FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to gut net neutrality. This event will mark one week before an expected vote at the FCC. Protesters will make it clear to members of Congress that it is time to stand for #NetNeutrality, not Verizon’s bottom line.
**Please remember, this event is about protesting actions of Verizon executives, lobbyists and their supporters in Washington, NOT the employees at these stores.**
How much does Verizon spend to lobby Congress every year?
$10,080,000 (2017)
$11,430,000 (2016)
$12,900,000 (2014)
$13,510,000 (2013)
Verizon’s average campaign contributions are $3.2 million per year.
What are they buying with all of that money?
In 2007 Verizon blocked a progressive rights group from sending text messages because they were too “controversial.”
In 2012 Verizon asked Google to remove apps that allowed you to turn your phone into a mobile hotspot forcing customers to pay a fee instead.
From 2011–2013 Verizon blocked Google Wallet in favor of their own service, Isis. In 2014 Isis changed it’s name to Softcard and was then purchased in 2015 by Google Wallet.
In 2013 during oral arguments in Verizon v. FCC, Verizon lawyers stated on 5 separate accusations they would favor some preferred services, content or sites over others.
In 2014 Verizon artificially lowered internet speed to Netflix’s website holding them and their customers hostage until Netflix paid the ransom. Netflix eventually paid.
In June 2017 users reported that Verizon was once again caught slowing down access to YouTube, Netflix, and other video services and lying about it until Verizon finally admitted to it, a month later, at the end of July.
PLEASE SIGN UP USING THE TICKET LINK
PROTEST SIGN MAKING PARTY on Dec. 6. RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/Stanton-Ventures-Meetup/events/245284907/
Protest Verizon. Save #NetNeutrality Defend #DigitalCivilRights