WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party strongly condemned the Federal Communications Commission's decision on Thursday and called for a national movement demanding restoration of Net Neutrality rules and public ownership of access to the Internet.

The FCC's decision will leave consumers vulnerable to discriminatory control by Internet service providers (ISPs) over what web sites they may visit, with a choice between restricted access and higher fees.

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
@GreenPartyUS

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, December 14, 2017

Contact:
Scott McLarty, Media Director, 202-904-7614, [email protected]

"It's not enough just to fight for reversal of the FCC's decision. We demand public ownership of services that provide Internet access. The Internet was created with taxpayers' money. We should all be enjoying the benefits of a free and open Internet," said Andrea Mérida-Cuéllar, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

"Here in Colorado, voters in 19 cities and counties approved measures in the November election to enable city-owned Internet services, joining nearly 100 others that have already done so," said Ms. Mérida-Cuéllar, who also serves as co-chair of the Green Party of Colorado.

Greens noted that the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, established a publicly owned Internet service in 2010 that offers 10 gigabit-per-second download speeds at $70 a month, with discounts for low-income residents and free WiFi in downtown neighborhoods. The city installed fiber-optic cables and quickly made back its investment.

Green Party leaders called on states and municipalities to provide unrestricted Internet access for all residents.

"Even if it's restored, Net Neutrality will always be in danger as long as the private ISP cartel can purchase influence in Congress and the White House. The FCC's decision is one of the results of concentrated corporate ownership and the growth of gigantic media monopolies ever since President Clinton signed the 1996 Telecommunications Act. It's time for us to take back the Internet," said Green Party co-chair Chris Blankenhorn.

See also:

The Internet Should Be a Public Good
By Ben Tarnoff, Jacobin, October 31, 2016

19 more Colorado cities and counties vote in favor of city-owned internet, while Fort Collins approves $150 million to move forward
The Denver Post, November 8, 2017

Chattanooga Was a Typical Postindustrial City. Then It Began Offering Municipal Broadband.
By Peter Moskowitz, The Nation, June 3, 2016

Updated Green results from Election Day

Green Party victories and highlights on Nov. 7
Press release: Nov. 10

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