In February of 2015 The Federal Commision of Communications (FCC) set specific Net Neutrality rules that were made to regulate internet providers such as Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast. Many who protested for their basic internet rights were pleased to be introduced to Title II of the Communications Act, this allows internet users like us to freely communicate with others and navigate the internet knowing that our providers are not manipulating the content we view. Large internet service providers are held to the basic principle of not manipulating their consumers’ connection, by speeding up, slowing down, or blocking any sites you use.

Chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, made a proposal back in April to repeal the original reclassification to regulate internet providers’ as “common carriers”, which is what your phone provider is known as.

The FCC recently held their annual “chuckle-fest”, very similar to the White House correspondents dinner. The night consists of letting loose and almost confirming accusations of being known as a corrupted, brainwashing corporation, higher ups attend the dinner that is basically a roast targeted towards piers and employees. This year Pai was the main focus of the evening and effortlessly read off joke after joke about him being known as a “Verizon shrill”. He played a skit for the crowd that consisted of him and Verizon senior VP, Kathy Grillo, speaking of a devious plan, as Grillo says “We want to brainwash and groom a Verizon puppet to install as FCC chairman,” referring to Pai’s previous employment with Verizon. The skit continues with Pai excitedly agreeing with the plan, they then discuss the obstacle of getting a republican president to agree to the plan while a collage of President Donald Trump plays behind them.

The dinner has led many to worry of the reality of these jokes. I, myself, have watched the leaked video several times, it is so bad you can’t even look away. Large corporations that are supposed to be trusted are laughing in our faces about the money they are making off of taking our rights away and putting us in the dark. This is our time to put ourselves out there and fight for our rights, it will be sad to see the internet we rely on slip through our fingers. On Dec. 14th the FCC will be voting on the net neutrality act; there are several ways to get your word out there and show that you will fight for your rights. Text “RESIST” to 50409 and you will have a letter created for you that will be sent to congress under your name, if there are enough protesting calls and letters the act will get denied.