The purpose of this rally is three fold:
1. Protest HR 1291 and keep it from passing in the Senate
When HR 1291 was passed in the US House of Representatives it
marked a sad day in the history of the Internet, because it opened the
door to totally unnecessary regulation of one of the most innovative and
important uses of the Net -- for voice communications. Just as millions of
people are beginning to use the Net to speak with their families and build
communities here in the US and overseas, the Bell companies are pushing to
impose old-fashioned regulations that will hurt consumers and open the door to
widespread regulation of the Internet.
If you use the Internet and take advantage of Internet Voice and Telephone
applications now is your chance to come forward and be counted. Please
encourage others who you know to also come to Washington, DC on Sunday
June 11th. This is a non-partisan effort.
During the past week I've received several hundred emails from
consumers who use Internet Telephony technologies on a regular
basis. It has been the feedback from the user community which
has been the source of inspiration to continue to educate Congress
about HR 1291 and the need to hold the
Internet Freedom Rally. Many are
disabled or on fixed incomes and they rely on the technology to stay in touch.
In Washington, DC the Telecom Lobby is bigger than both the
Tobacco Lobby and Gun Lobby combined. We want to make sure that future
generations will not blame us for not doing a better job when he had
the chance to prevent the regulation of Internet Telephony.
We need your help to spread the word about the Internet Freedom Rally
and get people to come to Washington, DC and make their presence known. Here's
what you can do:
1. Plan to attend the rally.
2. Ask your friends to attend.
3. Volunteer to help with the event.
4. Contact your House Representatives and Senators and
invite them to attend the Rally.
5. Stay in Washington, DC on Monday June 12th and
visit your Representative and Senators.
6. Contact your local media outlets and inform them
about the HR 1291 and that passing it was mistake. In order to
help stop HR 1291 in the Senate, we need to get as much
Local and
National attention focused on this issue and the June 11th rally.
7. Keep us posted on your efforts. All good ideas are welcome.
Kind regards,
Jeff Pulver
Click here to join a mailing list where you will receive updates regarding the status of HR 1291.
INTERNET FREEDOM RALLY
SUNDAY JUNE 11th, WASHINGTON, DC
In response to the passing of HR 1291, we have started organizing
the
Internet Freedom Rally
which will be taking place at the West Capital area in Washington, DC
on Sunday, June 11th from 12 - 4 PM. As plans gel, more details, including a
list of speakers will be posted to the website.
The
Voices of Classic Rock have agreed to provide entertainment.
2. Celebrate Free Speech over the Internet
3. Celebrate our Right to Develop and Use Voice Applications on the
Internet Free from Unnecessary Government Regulation
jeff@pulver.com
May 26, 2000
