Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, looking quite sharp in his suite, called the meetup "one of the geekiest, most rational protests in American history."
Brian Ries
SOPA, PIPA, this sign says, are not only bad for New York…they're bad bills for cats. In a sense this protester is suggesting the bills are bad for the Internet, because cats are essentially the spirit animal of the Web.
Brian Ries
"WTF Chuck?" this sign asked of Senator Chuck Schumer. "Fight for the future." The Senator's eyes are censored, a nod to the alleged implications the PIPA and SOPA bills could have on the Internet.
Brian Ries
"Can I has Freedoms," this sign asks, which features a cat holding the Bill of Rights.
Brian Ries
Protesters hold their signs high as they march through Times Square. "PIPA & SOPA legislation are just more corporate fascism," reads the first. "Your bills kill America's edge," reads the second. Protesters chanted pro-Internet slogans for an hour or so after gathering in the center of the car-free zone.
Brian Ries
"It's no longer OK to NOT know how the Internet works," this sign says, a subtle suggestion policymakers behind SOPA and PIPA need to wake up and make an attempt to understand the Internet.
Brian Ries
Many meetup attendees brought their own signs. This one was made by Marc on the back of a pizza box. No SOPA, No PIPA it says. The bills are Anti-eBay, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Wikipedia, and Amex, while being Pro-CBS, Monsanto, RiteAid, MPAA, Nike, and Walmart.
Brian Ries
PIPA and SOPA, this sign suggests in a way only computer programmers would understand, would end innovation on the web and result only in litigation.
Brian Ries
"A vote for SOPA is a vote for censorship," is the message here. Opponents of the bills say both would be chilling to free speech on the Web.
Brian Ries
The New York Tech Meetup, the group that organized the "emergency meetup," came with ready-made signs for attendees. This one states, "Gillibrand: Save NY Tech. Stop PIPA."
Brian Ries
Two Occupy Wall Street veterans grabbed Meetup's megaphone and called for a march to Times Square, with hopes of letting Americans know of the dangers of PIPA and SOPA.
Brian Ries
Stop SOPA, this sign not-so-subtlety suggests.
Brian Ries
