'Net Neutrality' Protesters To Remind Obama Of Campaign Pledge
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Protesters were expected to gather Wednesday to call upon President Barack Obama to make good on a campaign pledge to enact anti-discrimination rules for Internet broadband service providers.
Early in his 2008 presidential campaign, Obama visited California and voiced his support for so-called "net neutrality", a position that argues broadband operators shouldn't be allowed to block or degrade Internet content and services or charge content providers an extra fee for speedier delivery or more favorable placement.
Supporters with groups including Free Press and MoveOn.org were the organizers behind the rally at a public park at the Memorial Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, located at 4625 W. Olympic Boulevard.
In a statement, the group said, "The [Federal Communications Commission] has chosen a path that would violate Net Neutrality and allow Internet service providers to pick winners and losers online. The president must speak out against this proposal and in support of real Net Neutrality protections at the FCC."
In May, the FCC took a first step toward adopting new regulations that it says could create fast lanes for Internet traffic from websites that can afford to pay for the privilege.
The panel voted 3-2 to move the proposed rules governing "net neutrality" into a formal public comment period.
The Los Angeles rally will follow a similar event held Wednesday morning outside an Obama fundraiser in Los Altos in the heart of Silicon Valley, organizers said.
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