Advocacy News

What Did Black out Protesting SOPA Just Achieve?

Source: HypeBot
January 20, 2012

COMMENTARY: With everyone and their mother decrying the passing of the SOPA bill, the White House eventually made its presence heard and also spoke out against it. In an age of quickly accessible information sharing, the Wikipedias and Googles of the world were quick to denounce any moves to restrict the freedom of this information. The fact that original bill supporters are now jumping ship shows the power and influence that these organizations have. It was also a huge PR ...

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Does A2im Really Represent the Indie Music Community? Sopa Support Continues...

Source: Digital Music News
January 19, 2012

If this industry is consistent about anything, it's that it consistently disagrees about almost everything. Which introduces a tough challenge for the American Association of Independent Music, which represents the interests of about 350 independent labels. A2IM has been a strong supporter of SOPA and similar anti-piracy bills from the start, and has marched alongside the RIAA on many over-the-top anti-piracy policies. Yet many indie (and some major) artists would rather avoid getting involved in enforcement clampdowns, and merely discourage ...

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Trent Reznor, OK Go, MGMT, Zoe Keating, Neil Gaiman, Others Join Anti-SOPA Fight

Source: HypeBot
January 19, 2012

(UPDATED) Adding their voices to a rising anti-SOPA tide, a group of prominent musicians, actors, and authors including Trent Reznor, OK Go, MGMT, Zoe Keating and Neil Gaiman have signed an open letter to the US Congress. An open letter to Washington from Artists and Creators We, the undersigned, are musicians, actors, directors, authors, and producers. We make our livelihoods with the artistic works we create. We are also Internet users. We are writing to express our serious concerns regarding ...

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Six U.S. Lawmakers Abandon Anti-Piracy Bills as Google Protests

Source: Michael Ricci
January 18, 2012

Six U.S. lawmakers dropped their support for Hollywood-backed anti-piracy legislation as Google Inc., Wikipedia and other websites protest the measures. Co-sponsors who say they can no longer support their own legislation include Senators Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, and Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat. Republican Representatives Ben Quayle of Arizona, Lee Terry of Nebraska, and Dennis Ross of Florida also said they would withdraw their backing of the House bill. The Senate bill and the ...

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Stop American Censorship! About PIPA and SOPA.

Source: All About Jazz
January 18, 2012

Congress is about to pass internet censorship, even though the vast majority of Americans are opposed. We need to kill the bill—PIPA in the Senate and SOPA in the House—to protect our rights to free speech, privacy, and prosperity. Find out about threats to our basic rights at Stop American Censorship and Fight For The Future. Learn more about the Internet Censorship Bills (SOPA/PIPA)

Congress needs to hear from you, or this bill passes. Take Action Now.

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Show Your Opposition to SOPA Today With #blackoutsopa

Source: HypeBot
January 13, 2012

You've probably read about the heated debate around the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). It's a very important debate for musicians, as it could have a major effect on distribution channels and discovery platforms that many musicians rely on every day. Eliot Van Buskirk did an amazing post right here on Hypebot called “Everything You Need To Know About SOPA & The New Copyfight." You should read it, but a couple excerpts that summarize the article are: Our current system ...

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Fat Joe Joins the Fight Against Childhood Obesity with a Concert for Let's Move! Newark: Our Power

Source: Susan Blond, Inc.
January 10, 2012

New York, N— On January 23rd, hip-hop legend and weight loss advocate, Fat Joe, will perform at an event celebrating the winners from Let's Move! Newark: Our Power (LM!NOP), a program created by Behavioral Health & Fitness Expert, Jeff Halevy, to fight childhood obesity. After improving his lifestyle, Fat Joe has recently lost over 100 pounds and has chosen to be a part of Let's Move! Newark Our Power to encourage our youth to follow his success. Jeff Halevy was ...

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Calling All Drummers! Fight World Hunger with Marv Dahlgren!

Source: JazzINK by Andrea Canter
December 23, 2011

Marv Dahlgren, well-known Twin Cities' percussionist and educator, has launched an initiative that he hopes will raise global awareness of world hunger. His new Global Drummers Alliance calls upon drummers to send the message via a global performance of “Three Camps" on January 14th at 2 pm CST. His fellow drummer (and former student) Dave Stanoch is hosting Marv's website, which provides background and information about this initiative. If you are a drummer at any level, please consider joining in ...

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