How We Won Net Neutrality

[Commentary] Credit Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler for listening to his critics and changing his mind about how to best protect the open Internet. Praise President Barack Obama for using his bully pulpit. Thank John Oliver for coining the memorable phrase "cable company f--kery." But know that none of this happens without a relentless push from the grassroots.

The real story here was dozens of public interest groups, new civil rights leaders and netroots organizers coordinating actions online and off, inside and outside Washington. Artists, musicians, faith leaders and legal scholars bolstered their efforts. And about a dozen mostly unsung advocates in DC pushed back daily against the phone and cable lobby. This diverse coalition broke the FCC's website, jammed switchboards on Capitol Hill, and forged new alliances that are transforming how telecommunications and technology policy is made. With this victory, and the ones like SOPA that came before it, a new political force has awakened. But we've only just scratched the surface of what a well-organized Internet constituency can accomplish. Now we must figure out how to turn this exciting moment into a lasting political movement.

[Craig Aaron is the President and CEO of Free Press]