For Immediate Release: September 17, 2009
Contact: Kaarli Tasso, 917-374-7199, Amina Fazlullah, 202-546-9707
Witness to an Internet Uprising: Iranian Expat and City Council Member Headline Outdoor Rally
Annual NYC OneWebDay Activities Focus on Digital Inclusion
New York, NY – In honor of OneWebDay, Washington Square Park will host a noontime rally featuring City Councilmember, Gale Brewer, Iranian activist, Mehdi Saharkhiz and others discussing the value of the Internet for citizens everywhere. OneWebDay was founded in 2006 as an all volunteer campaign to build an active community of Internet advocates in the United States and around the world. Originally imagined as a celebration of the World Wide Web – the services and content the Internet carries – OneWebDay has grown into a movement of organizations, citizens and consumers who are committed to universal and equal access to the Internet. Now in its fourth year, OneWebDay has a full-time Executive Director, powerful new partners and is planning events in 50 cities across the globe in 2009.
The New York City OneWebDay group held a similar Washington Square Park rally in 2008 with luminaries of the online world. This year, the focus is on the role the Internet plays in serving the public interest, from economic to political participation. Speaking about the power of the Internet is Mehdi Saharkhiza whose father, Iranian journalist, Issa Saharkhiz, was arrested during the uprising viewed ‘round the world on Twitter and other media. Also speaking is Hon. Gale A. Brewer, Chair of the New York City Council’s Technology in Government Committee, regarding the role the Web will play in New York’s future. A new report from the Media and Democracy Coalition, “A Public Interest Internet Agenda,” will also be discussed. A wireless hotspot and free computers donated by NYC Wireless will be available for public use. Live music will be performed and the entire event will be live webcast at http://onwebday.org/nyc.
OneWebDay events planned for other U.S. cities include: a documentary screening in Milwaukee; a policy panel on Capitol Hill in Washington; city leaders in Philadelphia on its broadband grant; elected officials and a Cajun band in Lafayette.
OneWebDay takes place annually on September 22, marked by a variety of activities, with a new theme each year. The 2009 theme is “One Web. For All” and focuses on volunteer service and expanding opportunity. In addition to going out into their communities to provide hands-on help with training and infrastructure, OneWebDay organizers are convening public forums where topics related to Internet access and availability will be discussed. The Internet is the means by which increasing numbers of Americans earn a living, receive an education, consume goods and services and participate in their democracy. Still, the United States ranks 15th among developed nations when it comes to broadband deployment. “Everyone understands that the Internet is the pathway to economic opportunity, from educational achievement to success on the job,” said Nathaniel James, OneWebDay Executive Director. “We can’t afford to leave anyone behind.”
WHAT: Public Rally, speakers on the power and future of the Internet
WHO: Hon. Gale A. Brewer, New York City Council;
Mehdi Saharkhiza, Iranian political activist and member of whereismyvote.org;
Phil Ashlock, Open Planning Project Web Designer;
Joshua Breitbart, Policy Director, People’s Production House;
others TBA.
WHERE: Holley Plaza, Washington Square Park, (just West of the fountain)
WHEN: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 12:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern
*****
NYC OneWebDay: http://onwebday.org/nyc
OneWebDay, Inc.: http://onewebday.org
Where is My Vote: http://www.whereismyvote.org
NYC Wireless: http://www.nycwireless.net
People’s Production House: http://www.peoplesproductionhouse.org
US PIRG: http://www.uspirg.org
Open Planning Project: http://openplans.org
Report, “A Public Interest Internet Agenda”: http://www.media-democracy.net/node/510
