Remember how citizens and entities of the internet all came together last year to save us from SOPA and PIPA, which could have damaged the way we use the Web? The internet used to be a network of information and anonymity, but it’s not so much the latter anymore due to the prying eyes of the NSA and other government snooping agencies. To put things right, sites like Reddit and Tumblr have been encouraging rallies and protests to help restore the 4th amendment, or our right to privacy and protection from unwarranted search and seizures. And The Day We Fight Back against this mass surveillance machine is finally here, with a full day of protests planned for tomorrow, February 11, with the support of organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Here is the mission statement and open letter to the internet:
DEAR USERS OF THE INTERNET,
In January 2012 we defeated the SOPA and PIPA censorship legislation with the largest Internet protest in history. Today we face another critical threat, one that again undermines the Internet and the notion that any of us live in a genuinely free society: mass surveillance.
In celebration of the win against SOPA and PIPA two years ago, and in memory of one of its leaders, Aaron Swartz, we are planning a day of protest against mass surveillance, to take place this February 11th.
Together we will push back against powers that seek to observe, collect, and analyze our every digital action. Together, we will make it clear that such behavior is not compatible with democratic governance. Together, if we persist, we will win this fight.
Aaron Swartz – SOPA and The Day We Fight Back
Citizens of the Web were able to oppose the overreaching SOPA and PIPA acts because of community support, where as Aaron Swartz put it, everybody “made themselves the hero of their own story.” Tomorrow the story continues as people look to rise up again and fight back against mass surveillance.
6 Ways You Can Fight Back Against the NSA and Mass Surveillance
If you are in the U.S, the campaign is urging you to call or email your representatives in Congress to oppose the FISA Improvements Act, give support for the USA Freedom Act and help bring legislative protections for non-Americans.
So what else can you do to take part in the movement?
1. Join the Cause
Give your support by changing your profile photo via Twibbon.
2. Tell the World About It
Share the cause with your friends and followers on social media!
3. Join the Conversation on Reddit
Plan, organize and advocate over at /r/thedaywefightback
4. Get Creative and Contribute
Here are a few ideas from the campaign: “This moment is whatever we, the broad community of people who care about the Internet, make of it. Post a comment with a link to every NSA-related story. Make and share a meme. Build a website. Organize an event.”
5. Add the Banner to Your Site
Are you a website owner? To support the cause, you can add the banner to your site using the code below or this WordPress plugin. Add it now and it will go live at 12am EST on February 11.
Embed this banner on your site!
6. Join the Protests
And for those of you looking to support the movement up close, here is a list of events and locations happening on The Day We Fight Back that may be near you:
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
PROTEST AGAINST MASS SURVEILLANCE
February 11th, 2014 at 4:00 PM
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
CRYPTOPARTY AND THE LAUNCH OF AN UK COALITION TO END MASS SURVEILLANCE
February 11th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
BRIGHTON, UNITED KINGDOM
CRYPTOPARTY
February 11th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM
CRYPTOPARTY
February 11th, 2014
SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA
SPEAKING EVENT
2/11/14 at 2:00 PM
BOGOTÁ COLOMBIA
CRYPTOPARTY
February 11th, 2014 at 6:00 – 8:00 pm
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
PROTEST AGAINST MASS SURVEILLANCE
February 11th, 2014 at 5:00 PM
SAN FRANCISCO, USA
PROTEST AGAINST MASS SURVEILLANCE
February 11th, 2014 at 6:00 PM
LOS ANGELES, USA
SPEAKING EVENT
February 11th, 2014 at 7:30 PM
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA
STREET THEATRE AND LIGHT ART
February 11th, 2014 at 12 PM
CHICAGO, USA
PROTEST AGAINST MASS SURVEILLANCE AND DINNER
February 11th, 2014 at 12 PM
BLUFFDALE, UTAH, USA
PROTEST AND HIGHWAY CLEANUP
February 11th, 2014 at 11:00 AM
LEWISVILLE, TEXAS, USA
PROTEST AGAINST MASS SURVEILLANCE
February 10th, 2014 at 8 PM
CARROLLTON, TEXAS, USA
PROTEST AGAINST MASS SURVEILLANCE
February 11th, 2014 at 12 PM
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, USA
PROTEST AGAINST MASS SURVEILLANCE
February 11th, 2014 at 2:30 PM
BELGRADE, SERBIA
PRIVACY HACKATON
February 11th, 2014
GRAZ, AUSTRIA
CRYPTOPARTY
February 11th, 2014 at 7:00 PM
KARLSRUHE, GERMANY
SURVEILLANCE SALON
February 11th, 2014 at 6:30 PM
Are you ready to join the cause and fight back against the NSA and big brother surveillance too?