rebeccawalters | quebradiza | roxanneritchi | nextian
Guys, ACTA does not go into effect tomorrow, nor is a vote happening tomorrow. While the petition on AccessNow is, I’m sure, an extremely impressive benchmark (100,000, guys, we did it!) we don’t need 100,000 signatures or 150,000 or whatever number they’ll adjust it to when they hit 150,000 (as they should, because they’re trying to drum up support, and numbers breed urgency.)
On Thursday, January 26th, 2012, the Polish government is planning to ratify ACTA. There were, as you might expect, protests—intense ones—and you should definitely contact your government if you are Polish. According to a member of the European Parliament, discussions on ACTA in the EU will start on the first of March, and while the EU did initially promise to ratify ACTA, severe doubts have been raised by EU committees. Continuing to quote Marietje Schaake, member of the European Parliament:
TL;DR: Important dates for ACTA in the European Parliament:
- 29 February/1 March: Discussion in international trade committee,
- April or May: Vote in international trade committee,
- 12, 13 or 14 June: Final vote in plenary (most important vote).
Alright people, we need to concern ourselves with ACTA
Five facts:
1. ACTA isn’t the “European” SOPA. It’s nearly GLOBAL, and will apply to every country that signs the treaty.
2. ACTA is far more aggressive. ACTA will not simply affect websites and have them blocked out of the internet - its measures go as far as surveillance of anything you share through private channels.
3. ACTA doesn’t have a campaign against it that is as wide-spread and organized as the SOPA one. This is DANGEROUS, as there’s less time between now and the final signing of ACTA.
4. ACTA has effects on healthcare, trade, and even tourism.
5. ACTA has to be stopped.
Let’s start spreading the word and organizing a good, solid response to it.
More information:
ravenpuff. district 11. dauntless.
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