[Antiracism] [Workers' Rights] Connecting Mass. to a Better Internet

Thu Dec 18 18:16:28 EST 2008

From: Candace Clement candace at freepress.net  

Dear WMass Jobs with Justice,

As a national organization we are not often engaged in state level
initiatives, but there is an issue that is unfolding in our own backyard (as
many of us work out of our Florence, MA office) around broadband deployment
and availability - something that we work on at the national level - that we
are working to drum up support for.  

As you may have heard, Gov. Deval Patrick has allocated $40 million to get
the unconnected in Massachusetts access to high-speed broadband Internet.
While we applaud this move, we are advocating for public interest
obligations to be a part of any deals negotiated as the network is being
constructed.  Free Press is submitting a proposal to the Massachusetts
Broadband Institute for their Friday deadline that centers around building a
network that puts people ahead of profits and ensures open access, consumer
choice, and creates a discrimination-free Internet that fosters new ideas
and supports community media.  

You can read
<https://secure.freepress.net/site/SPageNavigator/mass_broadband> the report
here.

We were hoping that WMass JWJ might be able to sign on to the proposal and
push it out through your networks.  Anything you can do to help spread this
message would be wonderful.  I have copied our email outreach below.  We
also have
<https://secure.freepress.net/site/DocServer/MBI_paper_petion.pdf?docID=221>
paper petitions that can be downloaded and placed in libraries and other
community spaces.  

Living and working on the losing side of the digital divide is an uphill
battle.  It limits one's opportunities - economically, culturally,
politically, and the list goes on.  

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.  I
apologize as I'll be out off the office tomorrow, but you can reach me via
email.

Thanks for all that you do,

Candace Clement
Campaign Coordinator
Free Press ::  <http://www.freepress.net413.585.1533> www.freepress.net
413.585.1533 ext. 203

PS: Check out this video we just produced for the InternetForEveryone.org
initiative about what its like for young people to be living offline:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZX_DZ1cIKA&fmt=6>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZX_DZ1cIKA&fmt=6.  

  _____  

Subject: Connecting Mass to a Better Internet

 <http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=GIbFrnm64h9gGZ1QchILiA..> Free Press
Action Alert

Dear Friend,

With the ice storms and freezing temperatures in Massachusetts this week, we
need you to turn up the heat on the Massachusetts Broadband Institute.

On Friday, we are submitting our proposal to create statewide Internet
service that puts people before profits -- but we need you to add your name.

 <http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=tZstM3y70Hzm5cqrwq6YvA..> Sign on to Our
Call for Solutions

Our proposal is simple. We believe that this network should include strong
pro-consumer principles that ensure open access and consumer choice,
resulting in a discrimination-free Internet that fosters new ideas and
supports community media.

Please sign on to our proposal and help bring Massachusetts residents the
best high-speed Internet service possible.

Thanks for your support,

Megan, Josh, Candace, Kimberly, and the rest of the Massachusetts Free Press
team 

  _____  

Dear Friend, 

 <http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=jg0AdY67m18j1-XgTPS-GQ..> Internet for
Everyone

Help Extend Internet Access to Everyone in Massachusetts.

 <http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=xD49sXUB2zRMblZRVyRbkw..> Add Your Voice
Now

Time is running out to shape the future of Internet access in Massachusetts.

Last August, Gov. Deval Patrick set aside $40 million to bring high-speed,
affordable Internet service to the 32 Massachusetts communities still
offline. But state officials shouldn't partner with private companies
without requiring public interest protections. 

Massachusetts simply cannot afford another state initiative that profits the
phone and cable giants while leaving communities in the dark. Free Press is
submitting a plan to the state that will give all of us access to high-speed
Internet on our terms. Now we need your support for the plan.

 <http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=UKyEnFRa_NkVFSHnxJJuVg..> Be Part of the
Massachusetts Broadband Solution

Click on the link above to sign on to Free Press' "Broadband Solution" for
Massachusetts. We need you and thousands of other Massachusetts residents to
sign on by Dec. 19, so we can submit the plan to the state with a show of
strong public support.

Our proposal is simple. We believe that the public funds used to create this
network should include strong pro-consumer principles that ensure open
access and consumer choice and that creates a discrimination-free Internet
that fosters new ideas and supports community media. 

We need your help to ensure that this taxpayer money is used responsibly to
bring Massachusetts residents the best broadband service possible in the
years ahead.

Building the network is only part of the solution. We have to provide the
technology training and access to computers so people can make the most out
of this investment. 

 <http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=PUrBxinI9aOM1tIawC77rg..> Add Your Voice:
Join Our Call for Solutions

Massachusetts was one of the first states to connect to the Internet more
than thirty years ago. Let's see to it that the state continues to lead the
way in economic and community development and ingenuity. 

Onward,

Megan Tady, Josh Stearns, Candace Clement, Kimberly Longey, and the rest of
the Massachusetts Free Press team 

P.S. To learn more about efforts to create a national broadband plan, visit
InternetforEveryone.org
<http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=EdRtm6jWnmfXNiR8PSsLCQ..> .

P.P.S.If you or anyone you know doesn't have high-speed Internet, you can
still take action by calling 413.585.1533 x700.

<http://freepress.net/sites/all/themes/freepress/convio_images/footer_left.j
pg> 

OUR OTHER CAMPAIGNS:
<http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=9jH20y9PHMAqP6xtF_ZMnQ..> StopBigMedia.com
<http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=inXnLnWPsz92DSzXjhFtLA..>
SavetheInternet.com

<http://freepress.net/sites/all/themes/freepress/convio_images/footer_right.
jpg> 

 <http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=QD_IKR-sVpFtdPELVgvXzA..> donate now

Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the
media. Learn more at
<http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=C-ZOHEQpiF53hJvo62NLEw..> www.freepress.net

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