98 Local Elected Officials Across the Country Call on FCC to Investigate Digital Redlining

BALTIMORE, MD (March 16) - Today, at 10:00 AM, Baltimore City Councilmembers Zeke Cohen, Ryan Dorsey, Kristerfer Burnett, Philadelphia City Councilmember At-Large Helen Gym, and student activist Kimberly Vasquez will hold a virtual press conference calling on the FCC to investigate digital redlining and reclassify broadband under Title II authority.  

The Councilmembers sent a letter signed  by 98 elected  officials  across  the  country  to Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel this morning. This action comes as communities of color across the country struggle to access high-speed, affordable internet service during the pandemic while large internet service providers continue to make record profits.

In Baltimore, 40% of families lacked access to home wireline internet. A disproportionate amount of these residents live in majority-Black neighborhoods that were redlined in the early twentieth century.  This pattern is seen in cities across the country, including Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, and others whose representatives have signed onto this letter. In line with President Biden’s commitment to equity, authors and signatories believe that internet access is a racial justice issue.

“When it comes to internet access during the pandemic, majority Black, Brown and Indigenous neighborhoods across the country have been left off the map. Students have struggled to learn.  Seniors have been unable to make their telemedicine visits. The status quo is unacceptable. We need the FCC to step in and support our communities.” Said Councilmember Cohen.

“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in Baltimore City and Across the nation in calls for an FCC investigation into price gouging, and the creation of a Commission on Digital Redlining,” said Councilmember Burnett. “ISPs must be held accountable for their decision to leave communities behind at a time where they need to be connected the most.”  

“Access to the internet in 2021 isn’t a luxury -- it is a lifeline. It’s the way we access and sustain education, jobs, medical and mental health services, and connections with friends and family. Yet so many of our communities have been redlined and cut off from this critical utility,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember At-Large Helen Gym. “And this is an issue we are seeing across the country -- which is why so many elected officials are standing to call and calling on the FCC to act.” 

“As a student who heavily relies on Comcast’s Internet Essentials, it’s been a constant battle for me to even enter my virtual classes. I urge the FCC to support students across the country from being shut off from the education we deserve,“ said Kimberly Vasquez 

“The term “redlining” comes from a well-known discriminatory housing practice from the early 20th Century. The impact of the practice still looms large in cities like Baltimore,” said Councilmember Dorsey. “When we talk about digital redlining, we’re talking about corporate policy that places profit motive over the public good.”

To attend the virtual press conference, please use this link.

All questions and interview requests can be sent to Nicolas Mackall at Nicolas.Mackall@baltimorecity.gov or (443) 909-9478. Recording of conferences will be made available upon request. 

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Who: Councilmembers Zeke Cohen, Ryan Dorsey, Kristerfer Burnett, Helen Gym, Student Kimberly Vasquez 

What: Virtual Press Conference on letter to the Federal Communications Commission Requesting an investigation of Digital Redlining

When: March 16, 10:00AM

Where: ( Virtual Zoom Meeting, Live Stream)