A ‘Political Miracle’: What We Learned from the Net Neutrality and Comcast Fights

Source: 
Coverage Type: 

[Commentary] Over the past few months we’ve been thinking about everything we learned in the fights over the fate of the Internet. Many of these lessons will be useful to other movements confronting deep-pocketed foes  --  and overwhelming odds. Here are our biggest takeaways:

People power is real. Too often the story that gets told is about powerful players brokering deals behind the scenes. But the powerful players in these fights were everyday people.
Collaborative coalitions heighten impact. No single organization or individual can do it all. By working with groups whose missions range from saving the environment to promoting small businesses, we were able to pool our resources and rely on each other’s strengths.
Racial diversity matters. We couldn’t have won either of these fights without the work of both new and longstanding civil rights groups like 18 Million Rising, the Center for Media Justice, ColorOfChange.org, the Media Mobilizing Project, the National Hispanic Media Coalition and Presente.org.
Stick to your principles. We were careful to stake out clear positions and stand our ground from the very beginning.
Target the people who can give you what you want. Institutions don’t make decisions  --  people do. Activists needed to know that the people with the power to protect the Internet were at the Federal Communications Commission, and that the most powerful person there was Chairman Wheeler.
Build with champions. Years of working alongside key leaders like Sens Al Franken (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME) and Ed Markey (D-MA) as well as Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) meant they had the facts they needed to advocate for Net Neutrality.
Do your research. People in the halls of power need political cover and grassroots support to stick their necks out for a given cause.
Don’t be too serious. Camp out. Have dance parties. Bring along a giant Jumbotron. Wear costumes and cover the FCC’s front lawn with cats.
Exploit the public’s distaste for your enemies.
Independence is important. Independence from business, government and political parties can help groups challenge big companies and elected officials.

The Internet is a powerful constituency  --  and we’re just getting started. Support for the open Internet is overwhelming and ranges across the political spectrum.

[Candace Clement is Internet Campaign Director, and Mary Alice Crim is Field Director, for Free Press]


A ‘Political Miracle’: What We Learned from the Net Neutrality and Comcast Fights