SAN FRANCISCO — Bay Area supporters of the open Internet will gather at a public event at San Francisco City Hall to urge the FCC to pass strong Net Neutrality rules. The Nov. 20 event, “Bay Area Speaks: A People’s Hearing on the Future of the Internet,” is free and open to the public. Attendees are invited to testify and to submit comments that will be entered into the FCC’s Net Neutrality docket. The video of the event will also be submitted as public testimony.

The hearing comes at a key moment in the fight for Net Neutrality. On Monday, President Obama issued a statement supporting reclassification of Internet service providers under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. Since the FCC’s open Internet proceeding began earlier this year, a record-breaking 4 million people have submitted comments. Nearly all commenters share Obama's concerns and urged the FCC to protect Internet users’ rights and prevent a few powerful phone and cable companies from controlling the future of communications.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee also came out in favor of strong Net Neutrality rules over the summer.

“Chairman Wheeler needs to decide whether he stands with the president and the public or for the phone and cable companies,” said Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron. “At this event, Californians will have the opportunity to let the chairman know what they think — and it’s a message he can no longer afford to ignore.”

Free Press and the Electronic Frontier Foundation are co-hosting the event with ColorOfChange.org, Common Cause, the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net), and the Media Alliance. The hearing is part of a series that enables members of the public to participate more fully in the Net Neutrality debate. The previous event was held in Brooklyn on Oct. 27.

Details:
What: “Bay Area Speaks: A People's Hearing on the Future of the Internet”
When: Thurs., Nov. 20: Rally at 5:30 p.m.; hearing at 7 p.m.
Where: San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place
Who: Participants will include former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, Malkia Cyril of the Media Action Grassroots Network, local musician Jennifer Johns, Jay Nath of the Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation, Corynne McSherry of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Ana Montes of the Utility Reform Network and Amy Sonnie of the Oakland Public Library.