European members! Contact your MEP and save Internet freedom in Europe!

[Barrucadu]

From http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/05/europeans-you-have-u.html

Back-room dealings in the European Parliament have resulted in a "three strikes" rule being included in a new telecoms bill -- the rule would force ISPs to kick people who've been thrice accused of copyright infringement off the Internet.

If this bill passes, then Europeans' access to the network that delivers freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, access to medicine, family, civic engagement, banking, government services, and the whole sweep of human online endeavor would last only so long as they avoided three unsubstantiated accusations of downloading music or video or software without permission.

Worse still, the bill is set to be voted upon on July 7 -- that's this Monday.

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If you want to help oppose this restriction of freedom, you can contact your MEP(s) through http://www.writetothem.com
I have just sent an email; you can use it as a template or inspiration if you want:

To Timothy Kirkhope, Diana Wallis, Richard Corbett, Godfrey Bloom, Linda McAvan and Edward McMillan-Scott,

I read today about a proposed series of amendments to a certain EU legislation to be voted on in the European Parliament on the 7th of July, next Monday. These amendments would require ISPs to disconnect their customers who are found to be participating in illegal file sharing after three strikes.
I urge you to oppose this motion, as the Internet is the only truly free place left in this increasingly restricted and privatised world. If Internet restriction starts now, how long until a situation as present in China emerges? I believe the phrase "Who will guard the guards?" applies here; if this abolishion of freedom starts now, who can tell where it will end?
So please, I urge you to oppose this affront to the freedom of the European citizens.

Thank you, yours sincerely, Michael Walker