Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Thousands Take To the Streets To Protest ACTA

Posted by timothy on from the where-to-find-fawkes-masks-in-bulk? dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The protests against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement continue to spread in cities across Europe. The protests began in Poland, where thousands have taken to the streets and opposition politicians have worn Guy Fawkes masks in protest against the country signing the agreement last week. The scenes from Poland and France are remarkable, demonstrating the widespread anger over the decision to join ACTA. A full rundown of protest plans can be found here."

3 of 217 comments (clear)

  1. Not a bill; Congress was never asked. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The problem is that ACTA is being touted as executive agreement which the president has already signed. IIRC a bunch of senators were even denied access to the ACTA negotiations as a matter of "national security." Obama has essentially given congress the finger.

  2. Re:how about by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    To correct this misleading statement: ACTA is a trade agreement pushed by the US government rather heavy handedly. So it is quite clear that the usual suspects MPAA/RIAA pushed this forward. Being a trade agreement or at least presented as such it used secret negotiations and participants having to sign non disclosure agreements. This "trade agreement" status is a rather shady arrangement which served to avoid public scrutiny and democratic control. ACTA is not EU legislation. Though the EU has signed, it still requires ratification by all EU member states. The troll above clearly thinks that he can influence the process by misinformation.
    My guess is that the building opposition and increasing public awareness following the SOPA debacle will leave this process dead in the water. Good riddance.

  3. Re:But does it change anything? by Luckyo · · Score: 5, Informative

    Many are also not aware that media clampdown during occupy wall street reporting dropped USA from 20th to 47th spot in yearly Reporters without Borders study. It's officially a third world country in terms of press freedom now, stuck somewhere between Ghana and Haiti.

    It's quite sad how USA still sees itself as a paragon of freedom, and often complains about other countries clamping down on their press.

    http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2011-2012,1043.html