dwfb_ca_403x403

Today is an important day in the fight against mass, suspicionless surveillance across the world – and OpenMedia is proud to be a part of this incredible effort.

Over 300 organizations are taking part in this global campaign to tell governments we will no longer tolerate unaccountable dragnet surveillance that scoops up all of our private, sensitive information without a warrant and without transparency. Today is the day when it all comes together in a global Day We Fight Back campaign.

At OpenMedia, your team has been working around-the-clock to spearhead Canadian efforts on this day. We know just how important it is to make your voice heard, so we’ve created an easy-to-use tool to tell your Member of Parliament to take a stand in support of our fundamental right to privacy.

And so far, we couldn’t be prouder of how Canadians from all walks of life have come together to send a clear message to our government: Stop mass spying on law-abiding citizens.

So far, more than 10,000 Canadians have used our tool to send a message to their MP in just a few hours. Resources that were created to support our efforts today have been shared by hundreds via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

And the political momentum has just begun.

We’re less than a day into this action, and already MPs are responding to their constituents’ concerns. Liberal Critic for National Defence Joyce Murray has taken the pro-privacy pledge, joining NDP MPs Charlie Angus, Murray Rankin, and Charmaine Borg. Ms Borg, the Official Opposition’s Digital Issues critic also made this statement on the floor of the House of Commons:

That’s right, today is also the day we fight back. A coalition of organizations across Canada have joined together to speak out against illegal spying of Canadians in airports from CSEC and this government’s failure to ensure the protection of the personal information of Canadians.

I invite all Canadians who cherish their privacy to visit thedayfightback.ca to demand that this government take your privacy seriously.

OpenMedia.ca is a proudly post-partisan organization, and we believe it is essential to welcome positive steps like this no matter which parties are involved. We’re looking forward to seeing other MPs step up to the plate in defence of Canadians’ privacy rights. Make sure you send your local MP this letter urging them to take a stand against this mass scooping of our private, sensitive information.

Other experts and opinion-shapers are speaking out too. Privacy Expert Michael Geist says,

If you are concerned with widespread surveillance in Canada, take a couple of moments to send an email or letter (no stamp required) to your MP and let them know how you feel […] In addition, you can sign onto a global petition supported by hundreds of groups around the world.

And Craig Forcese, Vice Dean & Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, concluded with the following after a detailed blog piece outlining just how much ultra-secretive spy agency CSEC has trespassed on our fundamental right to privacy:

So my take away: if you don’t think CSEC’s mandate should include treating your metadata as a “collateral casualty”, then write to your parliamentarian.

We’re very encouraged by this incredible momentum today – and it’s imperative that we keep going. Please, make your voice heard at http://thedaywefightback.ca and help spread the word among your friends and family.

And we’ve made it as easy as possible for you to spread the word:

We need you to stand with us today. We need you to fight back. Learn more at http://thedaywefightback.ca – and don’t forget to sign the global petition to fight for privacy to be recognized as a human right.