Senator Ron Wyden

Ron, Internet Companies, Small Business Owners, Labor Leaders and Local Activists Warn of Threats to Internet Freedom

Portland, OR - In October, Ron joined local business owners, representatives of Google, Yahoo! and ebay, the Oregon Alliance to Reform Media, and local members of the SavetheInternet.com Coalition at Powell’s Books to underscore the importance of Net Neutrality — the principle that keeps the Internet free of discrimination and ensures websites and services are treated equally — to Oregon businesses, consumers and activists.

Other speakers at the event included Michael Powell (owner of Powell's Books), Alan Davidson of Google, Rich Bader of EasyStreet Online Services, Bruce Fife of the American Federation of Musicians and the Oregon Alliance to Reform Media, and Laura Etherton of OSPIRG. On behalf of the SavetheInternet.com Coalition, Etherton also presented Ron with more than 20,000 petitions from Oregon residents supporting Net Neutrality.

In June, Ron placed a hold on major telecommunications legislation approved by the Senate Commerce Committee until clear language is included in the legislation that prevents discrimination on the Internet. The legislation as currently written does not provide an effective policy on net neutrality, and instead opens the Internet up to large telecommunications companies and cable providers to charge consumers and small businesses new and discriminatory fees on top of those they already charge for Internet access.

"The powerful interests that control the pipes are trying to take control of the Internet away from their consumers by creating discriminatory networks that play favorites. We can't afford to let discrimination rule the Internet, which is why I'll continue fighting to ensure Net Neutrality." --Sen. Ron Wyden

Left: Laura Etherton of OSPIRG spoke and presented Ron with more than 20,000 petitions from Oregonians who support Net Neutrality.

Below: Michael Powell opens the news conference with comments about the importance of Net Neutrality. The large stack of papers beside the podium is more than 20,000 petitions from Oregonians in support of Net Neutralit