Here’s a list of every state currently suing the FCC over the net neutrality decision
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially decided to axe net neutrality, giving internet service providers more control over the web. But the free and open internet isn’t going down without a fight. Net neutrality supporters vow to reboot, with individual states suing the FCC over the net neutrality repeal.
New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released a statement on December 14th announcing that he will lead multiple states in a law suit against the FCC.
“New Yorkers deserve a free and open internet,” Schneiderman wrote. “That’s why we will sue to stop the FCC’s illegal rollback of net neutrality.”
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson also said he intended to file a suit in the coming days. Attorneys general in Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, and Massachusetts will reportedly join Schneiderman’s suit. So far, it’s not clear which other states will join Schneiderman’s lawsuit, but a letter that Schneiderman wrote to the FCC asking to delay the net neutrality vote was signed by attorneys general in 17 states and Washington, D.C. It’s possible that the 11 states from this letter who haven’t yet committed to suing the FCC will join Schneiderman’s suit.
I will sue to stop the FCC’s illegal rollback of #netneutrality. New Yorkers and all Americans deserve a free and open internet. pic.twitter.com/BNW7TDsp4z
— Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) December 14, 2017
The @FCC's repeal of #NetNeutrality was illegal and we will be filing suit. Here's why: pic.twitter.com/9Imp7P19sz
— Maura Healey (@MassAGO) December 14, 2017
In California, Santa Clara County announced it will also attempt to sue the FCC.
And in Congress, Pennsylvania Representative Mike Doyle has said that he will introduce legislation to reverse the net neutrality decision.
Schneiderman’s lawsuit will likely include his investigation into comments left on the FCC’s website in favor of the repeal. He wrote that about 2 million of these comments appeared to be fake, using the stolen identities of Americans. A report from Pew Research Center backs up Scheiderman’s claims that many comments were falsified. According to the report, one pro-repeal comment appeared 2.8 million times on the website — making up 13 percent of all comments. The report also stated that many comments contained false personal information.
Repealing net neutrality will have a huge impact on everybody. But we’re glad to see that these states are taking a stand and fighting for the internet. If you want to help stop the repeal, call your attorney general today.
