If you're like me, your twitter stream for the past few days has become a sea of avatars all with the #BlackoutSOPA banner at the bottom. At last count, nearly 5,000 users have updated their avatar with the message.
To show your support, simply click the BlackoutSOPA link to update your avatar with a single click.
Of course, showing support for the BlackoutSOPA project is simply a gesture. Your Senators and Representatives, even those who are on Twitter, are unlikely to see you in their stream. That said, a number of major web companies (including some little companies like Google, PayPal, Yahoo, Wikipedia and Facebook) are considering a one-day web blackout in opposition to SOPA. That would go a long way in generating media attention to the issue.
However, elected officials respond most to their voters and donors. So, I hope that everyone who updates their avatar also takes a moment to call their elected representatives to let them know your position.
Here's a site that provides the contact details for your representatives and also provides a mini script for your call.
SOPA and PIPA are poorly constructed bills. They do little to go after the true causes of piracy, and instead give large companies tools to decimate startups. Our politicians all talk about the need to support "job creators" but SOPA and PIPA are tools to stifle innovation and hurt early stage innovators. I'm particularly embarrassed to see that while NYC hopes to rival Silicon Valley for startups, both Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kristen Gillibrand have expressed support for PIPA.
I just got off the phone withe the office of my representative, Nita Lowey (NY18) and was thrilled to hear that she's now leaning against SOPA. When I last checked with the office a few weeks ago, she'd not yet taken a position.
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