John,

The internet is a critical part of our everyday lives. Our ability to freely express ourselves and access information through the digital landscape has become a cornerstone of modern society.

Now, the ability to freely speak on social media platforms is facing a huge threat from the RESTRICT Act, bipartisan legislation, introduced by Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Senator John Thune, which stands to undermine our fundamental civil liberties in a catastrophic way.

Touted as a ban on TikTok, the RESTRICT Act is far more than meets the eye. Its sweeping provisions would grant the executive branch the power to criminalize the use of social media platforms it opposes, a blatant violation of our First Amendment rights.

By giving government officials the power to regulate and censor online content, The RESTRICT Act would effectively silence any dissenting voices and prevent individuals from expressing their opinions and beliefs.

This legislation does not protect American consumers but instead threatens the very foundation of our democracy by infringing upon our rights to free speech and expression.

We must protect freedom of speech online and prevent the RESTRICT Act from becoming law. Contact your members of Congress and demand they vote NO on the RESTRICT Act.

You will hear supporters of this bill argue that it is necessary to protect national security and prevent the spread of harmful information, but these claims are nothing more than fear-mongering tactics designed to manipulate the public into surrendering their rights and freedoms.

In reality, the RESTRICT Act is a thinly veiled attempt to consolidate power and control in the hands of a select few. By restricting access to information and limiting the ability of individuals to speak their minds, this bill would create a society in which only the powerful wealthy elite are allowed to hold and express their opinions.

One of the most drastic provisions in the RESTRICT Act would criminalize the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), a vital tool for journalists, activists, and human rights defenders who require the protection of their online privacy and security.

In essence, this legislation would force these individuals to operate in an increasingly hostile digital environment, leaving them susceptible to more surveillance, censorship, and potential retaliation.

Now that the President has indicated his willingness to sign the RESTRICT Act into law, and bipartisan support is already growing, we need you to urgently call on our members of Congress to vote down this disastrous legislation and condemn it in its entirety. Please add your name now.

We cannot stand by as our elected representatives contemplate the destruction of our digital rights. The future of our democracy, our civil liberties, and the internet as we know it depends on our collective action.

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund