Hi there, I'm April, the main organizer of the event and sudomember :) We need volunteers, I'll make that pitch soon! Here's the info: *Nov. 20: Bay Area Speaks Out for Net Neutrality at San Francisco City Hall *** Bay Area and national public interest groups are gathering to call on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enact strong net neutrality rules at a public event at San Francisco City Hall next Thursday evening, November 20, titled "Bay Area Speaks: A People's Hearing on the Future of the Internet." The public is invited to testify at the event about why the open Internet is an important issue for Bay Area communities. The People's Hearing comes at a key moment in the debate over net neutrality. Last Monday, President Barack Obama issued a statement in support of full reclassification of the Internet as a telecommunications service, echoing the demands of the 4-million Americans who have spoken out in favor of the same reforms throughout the year. Reclassification, according to Obama, is the best way to achieve strong rules against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization online. The FCC's current proposal does not provide full protections for the Internet and could be voted on as early as December 11. What: "Bay Area Speaks: A People's Hearing on the Future of the Internet." Who: FCC Commissioner Michael Copps; Amy Sonnie, Outreach Director of Oakland Public Library; Jay Nath, Chief Technology and Innovation officer for the City of San Francisco; Corynne McSherry, Director of Intellectual Property at Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Malkia Cyril, Executive Director of Center for Media Justice, among others Date: Thursday, November 20 Time: Rally -- 5:30 pm, Hearing -- 7 pm Where: San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place "In the coming weeks, the FCC will have to decide whether to listen to President Obama, and the 4-million people whose voices have been raised for clear, crisp, and clean reclassification of broadband; or to cater to a handful of lawyers and lobbyists debating the future of the Internet behind closed doors," said Malkia Cyril, Director of the Center for Media Justice. "As an agency with a mandate to protect the public interest, we at the Media Action Grassroots Network urge the Commission to keep their eyes on the prize of real network neutrality, grounded in Title II authority." "The Bay Area has been the most vocal in the national fight for net neutrality, and there's a reason: the open Internet is why so many trailblazing new technologies and artists were born in this state," said April Glaser, activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "It's amazing to have the president's support, but the fight isn't over yet. We want to make sure the FCC can hear us loud and clear: we won't stand for a half-baked plan that will /still allow/ slow lanes and /won't/ protect the open Internet." San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee also came out in favor of strong net neutrality rules over the summer. The event is free and open to the public. Public testimony will be submitted to the FCC. On 11/13/14 6:51 AM, Bunker wrote: