This is a picture of the future., photo by farlane.
Many websites are blacked out today to protest proposed U.S. legislation that threatens internet freedom: the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). From personal blogs to giants like WordPress and Wikipedia, sites all over the web — including this Michigan in Pictures — are asking you to help stop this dangerous legislation from being passed.
Today is the only day (except for Sundays) in six years that Michigan in Pictures hasn’t posted a photo. Please watch the video below to see why I’ve chosen to join this protest and how this legislation will affect internet freedom. Then PLEASE scroll down to take action.
The video discusses the Senate version of the House’s Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Senate the bill is called the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). SOPA has gotten more attention than PIPA because it was moving faster in the legislative process. But PIPA is just as dangerous, and now it is moving faster.
PIPA would give the government new powers to block Americans’ access websites that corporations don’t like. The bill lets corporations and the US government censor entire websites and cut sites off from advertising, payments and donations.
This legislation will stifle free speech and innovation, and even threaten popular web services like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook and yes, blogs like Michigan in Pictures.
Michigan in Pictures 