The Internet is a relatively free place. However, HR 3261, proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives, could change all of that. The Stop Online Piracy Act would shut down entire social networking websites and censor websites and blogs just because they contain music or other copyrighted material.
Millions of people can internationally communicate on the Web without government interference. Our First Amendment states that the government cannot infringe upon the freedom of religion and the freedom of expression. SOPA would violate our First Amendment by taking away our rights on a global level. Once America sets these standards, the rest of the world will fall into this pattern of eradicating our rights on the internet. If SOPA, now in committee, is passed, our fundamental privileges of freedom of speech and expression will be eliminated. SOPA is the beginning step of the government’s attempts to control communications between the people.
Keep our freedom of speech on the Web.
Autumn Dirksen
La Center
