Protestors Try To Stop SOPA

A place where many turn to voice their opinion may soon turn into a place where the public gets censored.

“Someone likened it to when you need to use a fly swatter, using a nuclear bomb instead,” protestor Tracy Turner said.

The nuclear bomb he’s talking about is the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) to eliminate illegal copying of music, movies and writings that can easily be copied and distributed on the Internet without payment to the creator.

“If we don’t have many choices on the Internet, it pretty basically neutralizes the 99 percent,” protestor Darel Propst said.

“They need to enforce laws that are already there; they don’t need to create a form of censorship,” Turner added.

Something these protestors say isn’t necessary.

“If you’re talking about abuse for children, children’s access, there are controls for that. Parents need to do their job, too,” Propst said.

In Rancho Mirage, officials are dealing with what they called “defacing” of the city website.

“The home page had some text that had been updated,” information services manager Sarah Steepleton said. “Some of the things you’ve seen, Anonymous, some anti-fed comments.”

“I was notified at about 7:40, and they had it taken care of a few minutes after,” Steepleton said.

“Everybody’s voice as an American is important. It’s their First Amendment speech rights. They’re entitled to that,” Propst said.