MoveOn Joins SOPA Protest with Website Blackout Tomorrow

There's been a lot of debate over the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) that's currently been making it's rounds through Congress. While nobody's really denying that companies should be able to protect their intellectual property, most people realize that this bill would go a lot further than simply preventing people from downloading illegal copies of music and movies. In fact, it could stifle free speech by threatening websites like youtube and many social media outlets. When you consider how many protests both at home and abroad have started using these resources, SOPA would therefore eventually take away one of our major ways to have an informed populous and hold our government accountable.

That is why many of the most frequently used websites (both political and non-political) will be taking part in a massive website blackout tomorrow. Here's the statement I just received from the communications director at MoveOn.org about why they'll be taking part in the blackout.

MoveOn.org is joining Reddit, Wikipedia, Mozilla, and thousands of others tomorrow in a massive website blackout to protest Internet censorship legislation, (SOPA & PIPA), that threatens free speech, and technology innovation on the Internet. The White House recently responded to petitions opposing the internet censorship bills stating, "We will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global internet."

MoveOn will be blacking out their website tomorrow and directing visitors to learn more about the Internet censorship legislation and how they can take action to stop it.

Statement from Justin Ruben, Executive Director of MoveOn.org:

"Congress is playing fast and loose with Internet censorship legislation that would have people like Justin Bieber thrown in jail for uploading a video to YouTube. The Internet censorship legislation could severely restrict free speech, and put a stranglehold on one of the most innovative, job-creating industries of our time. MoveOn is joining the massive website blackout because it's critical to preserve an open internet that enables our members to engage on issues they care about. Members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, would be wise to take a step back and reconsider their support for this reckless legislation."