Internet Blackout Changes Lawmakers' Minds on SOPA, PIPA
By aaroncynic in News on Jan 20, 2012 8:40PM
On Wednesday, Wikipedia, Google, Reddit, Wired and a host of other websites went on strike to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act, which opponents have argued would effectively censor and cripple the internet. While we drowned ourselves in themed cocktails instead of staring at LOLcats for the day, some local legislators seemed to see the light and came out in opposition to the bills.
Fifth Congressional District Rep. Mike Quigley released a statement on SOPA, which read in part:
"I have decided to oppose the Stop Online Piracy Act and will continue to oppose anti-piracy legislation until a compromise can be struck that protects the free and open nature of the internet. I voted in the Judiciary Committee to strip some of most troublesome provisions from the current bill, such as governmental authority to block websites, but my constituents and I still have many concerns with the existing bill."
Meanwhile, Chicago Now reports Congressmen Timothy Johnson and Robert Dold also came out against SOPA and PIPA. Rep. Johnson said in his statement:
“Online piracy is a legitimate threat to American jobs as well American consumers who knowingly or unknowing participate in it. However, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its companion bill, the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), while well intentioned, are not the solution to the issue of piracy. The precedent that would be set by these bills creates undue regulation, the potential for abuse of our legal system, and treads on the slippery slope of censorship.”
The internet blackout also had a wide effect nationally, with three co-sponsors pulling their support from the bills. Meanwhile, the hacktivist group Anonymous retaliated against the Department of Justice shutting down file sharing sites Megavideo and Megaupload by attacking websites that represent the music and film industries and the DOJ’s site. According to Fox Business, one Anonymous member Tweeted “The government takes down Megaupload? 15 minutes later Anonymous takes down government & record label sites.”