Columbia University Democrats » Activism

Fight SOPA and PIPA

Marilyn Robb — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:51:22 +0000

UPDATE: The Senate has postponed the vote on PIPA! Read more about this here. Though Majority Leader Harry Reid says that the bill will likely remain an issue in the coming weeks, we consider the postponement a victory. Thanks for everyone who signed petitions, made phone calls, and stopped by our table today.

Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business. Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA.

Check out this video for more information

The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA. Do what you can to prevent these bills from passing!

WHY WE OPPOSE SOPA/PIPA

(From https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/ )

1. SOPA and PIPA would censor the Web

The U.S. government could order the blocking of sites using methods similar to those employed by China. Among other things, search engines could be forced to delete entire websites from their search results. That’s why 41 human rights organizations and 110 prominent law professors have expressed grave concerns about the bills.

2. SOPA and PIPA would be job-killers because they would create a new era of uncertainty for American business

Law-abiding U.S. internet companies would have to monitor everything users link to or upload or face the risk of time-consuming litigation. That’s why AOL, EBay, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Mozilla, Twitter, Yahoo and Zynga wrote a letter to Congress saying these bills “pose a serious risk to our industry’s continued track record of innovation and job-creation.” It’s also why 55 of America’s most successful venture capitalists expressed concern that PIPA “would stifle investment in Internet services, throttle innovation, and hurt American competitiveness”. More than 204 entrepreneurs told Congress that PIPA and SOPA would “hurt economic growth and chill innovation”.

3. SOPA and PIPA wouldn’t stop piracy

To make matters worse, SOPA and PIPA won’t even work. The censorship regulations written into these bills won’t shut down pirate sites. These sites will just change their addresses and continue their criminal activities, while law-abiding companies will suffer high penalties for breaches they can’t possibly control.

There are effective ways to combat foreign “rogue” websites dedicated to copyright infringement and trademark counterfeiting, while preserving the innovation and dynamism that have made the Internet such an important driver of American economic growth and job creation. Congress should consider alternatives like the OPEN Act, which takes targeted and focused steps to cut off the money supply from foreign pirate sites without making US companies censor the Web.

TAKE ACTION

Sign Petitions:

Google petition
Electric Frontier Foundation Petition
Fight for the Future Petition 1
Fight for the Future Petition 2

Call Politicians:

Call your senators
Call your representative

September Recap and Sneak Peek

Janine Balekdjian — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:54:42 +0000

Hello Democrats and readers!

The Columbia Democrats have had a very, very busy September. So busy, in fact, that we’ve had no time to update our website. Sorry about that. The upswing in campus activism is truly inspiring! Here are a few of the things we’ve been up to:

The Dems partnered with the Black Students Organization to organize a vigil and day of silence for Troy Davis after he was killed. Over 250 students came, and Media Director Sarah Gitlin wrote an op-ed afterward about how Troy Davis’ death shows why the death penalty should be ended. We also elected Freshman Representative Zoe Ridolfi-Starr, who was inaugurated with about 150 emails organizing the vigil (and rose to the challenge wonderfully).

We started Feminist Mystique, Columbia’s feminist magazine dedicated to feminist issues that matter to young people. We are accepting submissions and pitches; email editors@feministmystique.org with ideas!

Alma’s List, the CU Dems’ feminist caucus, publicized and brought dozens of Columbia students down to New York’s SlutWalk, a march against rape culture, slut-shaming, and victim blaming.

The Board attended a fundraiser for Iowa congressional candidate Christie Vilsack, and met Congressman Steve Israel and President Bill Clinton!

Tomorrow, we are bringing a group of Columbia students down to the General Assembly of the Occupy Wall Street movement to help shape this grassroots movement to reflect the needs of students who will soon be looking for jobs.

The Activist Council has been in full swing, preparing for this fall’s campaign trip to Ohio. We will be campaigning against Ballot Issue 2, which would restrict unions’ collective bargaining rights (similar to the bill in Wisconsin which caused so much controversy earlier this year.) Sign-ups are open, and tomorrow, we are having a discussion with Professor Dorian Warren about labor issues.

As busy as we’ve already been, we have much more on the docket for this semester. A few of our upcoming events are:

The campaign trip – of course
A lobby trip to support the GENIUS Act, which would promote foreign language and culture education in American schools.
A protest of the FDA’s ban on accepting blood from men who have sex with men
A defense of NYC abortion clinics against anti-choice protestors
A debate with the Columbia Republicans on the minimum wage
A fall carnival!
A Halloween mixer with the Columbia Republicans, Columbia Political Union, and Columbia International Relations Council and Association

And *drumroll* Congressman Steve Israel, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will be speaking at Columbia on November 18th! Stay tuned for more updates.

If you have an idea you want the Dems to get involved with, come to our general body meetings at 9 PM on Wednesdays on Lerner 5, or our Activist Council meetings in 628 Kent at 5 PM on Sundays. And don’t forget to sign up for the campaign trip!

Planned Parenthood Rally: New York City

Caroline Kim — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 05:51:56 +0000

This past Saturday, February 27, in Foley Square, a group of Columbia students attended the Rally for Women’s Health organized by Planned Parenthood to protest the House GOP’s proposition to cut funding for many critical programs for women’s health, early child nutrition, and to limit a woman’s right to choose. A host of speakers, including the President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, congressmembers, women’s health advocates, and celebrities voiced their support for Planned Parenthood as well as their anger towards the current attack on women’s rights.

Sign The Petition!

Ganiatu Afolabi — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:57:17 +0000

Columbia University President Lee Bollinger: Reform Kaplan Or Quit Its Board!

http://www.change.org/petitions/columbia-university-president-lee-bollinger-reform-kaplan-or-quit-its-board" href="http://www.cudemocrats.com/wp-content/uploads/Picture-29.png" target="_blank">

http://www.change.org/petitions/columbia-university-president-lee-bollinger-reform-kaplan-or-quit-its-board

Dems Issue of the Month: GUN Control!

Ganiatu Afolabi — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:02:47 +0000

This month, the CU Dems will be tackling Guns! In addition to the recent devastation at the hands of this weapon, there are numerous other tragedies that never see the light of 5 O’Clock news….but it can be prevented! If you are interested in tackling this issue with us, join us each Wednesday at 9pm in Satow! We look forward to working with you!

Support ALL Our Troops

Ganiatu Afolabi — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:05:48 +0000

This week, the Cu Dems will be doing many things to show our support and encouragement of an immediate repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell! With petitioning happening on Low Plaza from Tuesday tp Friday, and a storm of Times Square on Staurday, we hope that we will see you all at least once this week!

As usual, there will be a body meeting this Wednesday at 9pm! Please, join us!

PENNSYLVANIA CAMPAIGN TRIP!

Ganiatu Afolabi — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:55:08 +0000

It’s about that time of year again: It’s time to campaign!

Hey Activists!

Online registration for the 2010 Pennsylvania Campaign Trip is now OPEN! Please register only if you are POSITIVE you can go on the trip. Feel free to forward this opportunity to your Columbia and Barnard friends as well! Spaces for the trip will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up asap! There will also be a mandatory campaign trip information session at 5:00 PM Sunday, October 24th in a location TBA.

The registration sheet is HERE:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFd2eTRfWVg4QkE0T1lCODRlOVk2cnc6MQ

We look forward to a great trip with GREAT people!

SAME Campaign’s Day of Action

Caroline Kim — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:00:49 +0000

Wednesday, April 28th was SAME’s (Students Advancing Marriage Equality) Day of Action, during which members went down the City’s marriage license clerk’s office and posted signs protesting against the state’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages and their rights as equal citizens. Two rounds of activists paid the clerk’s office a visit. Here are some pictures of the second round. (Click image to see in full-view.)

Posted inside the building.

Cheers, activists!

Love,

SAME

Alma’s List: Reproductive Health Act Petition

Caroline Kim — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:03:44 +0000

Despite today’s unexpected rain, members of Alma’s List, the women’s caucus umbrella group of the College Democrats, set up a table in Lerner to gather petition signatures in a continued effort to push for the Reproductive Health Act in New York. Women, men, young, and old expressed their support of the bill. Here’s a recap.

Here’s to a woman’s right to choose.

SAME in Action: St. Pat’s for All Parade

Caroline Kim — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:59:42 +0000

Yesterday during the marvelously warm afternoon, members of the Activist Council’s Students Advancing Marriage Equality (SAME) marched in the St. Pat’s for All parade in Sunnyside, Queens. The St. Pat’s for All parade was created as an all-inclusive alternative to New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which excludes LGBTQ groups from registering to march. Along with members from MENY (Marriage Equality New York), we voiced our support for equal marriage rights for all couples. Notable attendees included Lieutenant Dan Choi, Assemblyman José Peralta, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. (Click image to see in full-view.)

Sophia, Marilyn, and Noah were interviewed by various news sources, including NY 1. (Click for news link.)

Sam, Sarah, and Sean getting ready for the Parade.

Marilyn and Sophia sporting the SAME campaign logo.

Sam expressing his love for marriage equality and all things Irish.

Activists from MENY before the parade started.

MENY supporters were there to march. (Pun fun.)

A couple from NY who came to march in the parade.

On the move!

Marilyn greeting supporters on the sidelines.

On the sidelines clapping for marriage equality.

Not everyone was so supportive.

Regardless, solidarity.

Happy early St. Patrick’s Day!

With equal love,

SAME