{"id":42706,"date":"2017-12-09T15:31:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-09T23:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/?p=42706"},"modified":"2017-12-09T15:31:04","modified_gmt":"2017-12-09T23:31:04","slug":"protests-outside-ajit-pais-home-over-net-neutrality-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/protests-outside-ajit-pais-home-over-net-neutrality-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Protests Outside Ajit Pai\u2019s Home Over Net Neutrality Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

Proponents of net neutrality protest against Federal Communication Commission Chairman Ajit Pai outside the American Enterprise Institute before his arrival, May 5, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Federal Communications Commission chairman, Ajit Pai, has come under a blistering attack by several Indian American lawmakers and activists for his proposal to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality policy, writes Lalit K. Jha.<\/b><\/p>\n

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The activists also protested outside Pai\u2019s home in Virginia with signs directing at his children.<\/p>\n

Pai, 44, blasted the activists for \u201charassing\u201d his family members, saying they \u201ccrossed the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

He is facing backlash from his opponents for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama era\u2019s net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers.<\/p>\n

His proposal would end net neutrality and give big Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than others.<\/p>\n

The activists not only staged protest outside Pai\u2019s home with signs directing at his children, they also reportedly sent pizzas to his home every half hour. Some media reports said the frequency was every 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

This is the first instance that a senior Indian American administration official in any of the presidential administration being harassed and threatened by opponents.<\/p>\n

Signboards and placards placed by protestors outside Pai\u2019s house in Virginia mocked him for his views.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that people are passionate about policy, but the one thing in America that should remain sacred is that families, wives and kids, should remain out of it. And stop harassing us at our homes,\u201d Pai told \u2018Fox and Friends.\u2019<\/p>\n

His proposal is scheduled to come out to vote before FCC, Dec. 14. This is expected to pass as the Republicans have five votes as against three from the Democratic Party.<\/p>\n

Pai expressed his displeasure when asked about the protest outside his house in Virginia. \u201cIt was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cInternet regulation activists have crossed the line by threatening and harassing my family. They should leave my family out of this and focus on debating the merits of the issue,\u201d Pai was quoted as saying by The Washington Post<\/i>.<\/p>\n

In an interview to PBS News early this month, Pai had said the digital landscape has changed, and the government should stop \u201cmicromanaging the Web.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, he argued, \u201ccompanies should be transparent about their policies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Free Press Action, which has been seeking net neutrality condemned the personal attack against Pai and his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are sending racist message to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, mocking his name, heritage or family, we do not want you in this new neutrality fight,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

Pai\u2019s controversial proposal triggered a war of words between him and Indian American lawmakers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Federal Communication Commission Chairman Ajit Pai participates in a discussion about his accomplishments at The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research May 5, in Washington, D.C. Appointed to the commission by President Barack Obama in 2012, Pai was elevated to the chairmanship of the FCC by President Donald Trump in January. (Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe need stronger net neutrality laws that ban most forms of zero rating instead of weakening these laws!\u201d first-term Congressman from Silicon Valley Ro Khanna tweeted. He also shared an article from the Los Angeles Times<\/i> according to which \u201cin Portugal, with no net neutrality, Internet providers are starting to split the net into packages.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the FCC is giving major corporations \u201ceven more control over the media, paving the way for megamergers like Sinclair-Tribune.\u201d \u201cWe have to fight for less consolidation to save our democracy,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Pai reacted sharply, saying Khanna was making a false accusation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to making the false assertion that Portugal has no net neutrality, Congressman Khanna is pointing to an example that has nothing to do with net neutrality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Senator Kamala Harris said over 7,00,000 Californians and more than 8 million Americans have already submitted comments in response to the FCC\u2019s \u201cmisguided\u201d proposal.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur message has been clear: broadband providers must not be allowed to tilt the playing field by blocking or throttling their competitors, prioritizing their offerings, or otherwise unreasonably interfering with lawful content,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The FCC, Harris alleged, wants to do is empower broadband service providers, the gatekeepers of the Internet, to potentially distort the online marketplace and set up a pay-for-play system.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis would be a terrible mistake that would hurt the most vulnerable and voiceless among us. It will imperil our economy while reducing innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity,\u201d she said in an email to her supporters.<\/p>\n

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker, alleged that Pai and the FCC were rewarding \u201cpay-to-play politics,\u201d ensuring that those with money have a seat at the table and shutting out everyone else.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe FCC must fulfill their responsibility to all Americans, not just big Internet Service Providers (ISPs),\u201d Gabbard said.<\/p>\n

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said with dismantling of net neutrality rules, the competition among new streaming services and content providers will be severely damaged.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf these rules are repealed, your ISP will be able to charge you more to access certain content. Those with more money will get faster Internet service, or be able to access more of the Internet,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe large corporations will have a freehand to charge discriminatory rates to benefit themselves, and limit the free speech and access of their consumers,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Proponents of net neutrality protest against Federal Communication Commission Chairman Ajit Pai outside the American Enterprise Institute before his arrival, May 5, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images) The Federal Communications Commission chairman, Ajit Pai, has come under a blistering attack by several Indian American lawmakers and activists for his proposal to repeal the Obama-era…<\/p>\n

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