Voices for Internet Freedom, a coalition that organizes and advocates for the digital rights of people of color, will hold a community forum on May 10 in Los Angeles with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. Following Clyburn’s keynote address, local residents and advocates for affordable internet access and other communication services will participate in two panel discussions. The event will conclude with a brief open-mic period.

This forum comes ahead of a May 18 open meeting at the Federal Communications Commission where FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will put forward a proposal to gut open-internet protections and end Net Neutrality.

During his tenure as chairman, Pai has also weakened consumer protections for the most vulnerable groups in Los Angeles and beyond. He’s taken steps to limit broadband options for Lifeline, which serves families in need, and has essentially frozen Lifeline implementation. He’s also taken steps to undermine broadband privacy and has refused to defend FCC reforms to prison-phone rates in court.

Event details:

WHAT: Connected Communities: A Forum with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn

WHEN: Wed., May 10, from 7–9 p.m. (press check-in: 6:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Los Angeles Community Action Network, 838 East 6th St., Los Angeles

RSVP: Jareyah Bradley, jareyah@balestramedia.com

INTERVIEW REQUESTS: Libeth Morales, 323-868-6416, libeth@mediajustice.org

Other participants in Wednesday’s discussion include:        

• Taz Ahmed, campaign strategist at 18 Million Rising
• Melissa Baranic, Torrance Unified School District teacher
• Hernan Galperin, professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
• Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition
• Tia Oso, national organizer at Black Alliance for Just Immigration
• Impacted community members

This event will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/centerformediajustice/

This forum is presented by the Voices for Internet Freedom Coalition — the Center for Media Justice, Color Of Change, Free Press and the National Hispanic Media Coalition — along with 18 Million Rising and Common Cause.