Why are our communities demanding Comcast free their internet? Join us in holding the telecom giant accountable!

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Dear Friend,

Imagine a world where access to the internet is considered a human right, not a promotional add-on hidden behind high costs and red tape. Comcast is one of the wealthiest corporations in the country, and is America's biggest internet provider. It stands to grow even larger, as the pandemic provided its greatest first quarter returns in 12 years.[1] So why must students, teachers, community resource groups and city councils beg Comcast to help them connect to the internet during a global pandemic and uprising?[2]

There should be no question about keeping our communities connected. Demand Comcast answer the demand for #InternetForAll ([link removed])

Today there are nearly 100 million people in the U.S. without internet, and Black communities are systematically denied internet access. In its hometown of Philadelphia, Comcast is raking in profits while patting itself on the back for “free” internet programs like Internet Essentials. Meanwhile only half of Philadelphia students are able to log in to their public education.[3] In Baltimore, over 40% of families are still struggling to connect, and a whopping 70% of Detroit’s families are offline. As a Baltimore councilmember points out, each of these cities are primarily Black.[4] This is consistent with the racism inherent to the digital divide, and inconsistent with Comcast’s promises to invest in Black lives.

Help us remind Comcast that if they say #BlackLivesMatter, that includes #Internet4All. ([link removed])

An internet connection is a human right,
and there are dire implications when it's held hostage for profit. The communities of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Detroit have been fighting Comcast on the ground and organizing to close the digital divide in their cities. Now, we’re aligning these efforts to turn up the pressure on Comcast until they turn up our communities’ connection speeds-- and much more. Support these local fights by signing and sharing this petition, and thank you for joining the national demand for Comcast to stop blocking #Internet4All. ([link removed])


In solidarity,

Brandon, Myaisha, Steven and the rest of Team #MediaJustice

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Sources:

[1] CRN ([link removed])
[2] Ars Technica ([link removed])
[3] Philadelphia Inquirer ([link removed])
[4] Zeke Cohen ([link removed])

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