Local site hosts protest
A San Diego Web site is organizing a protest of high gas prices in that city, the latest example of mainstream activism on the Net.
A regular feature of the site known as Hot Topic offers news stories and information about a recent San Diego County Board of Supervisors ordinance responding to gas prices. It also allows visitors to share their views on the issue and gives contact information to major gas companies.
It certainly isn't the most unusual, however. As reported last week, a group of Walt Disney fans organized an online protest to the rumored closing of a popular ride at Disney World in Florida.
"It's pretty much standard that if you are involved in an advocacy cause, you should have a Web presence," said Paul Armentano, communications director at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which has been online for three years. Armentano said the Net allows his organization to send an online newsletter to interested parties once a week as well as store archived editions that date back for years.
"That sort of information is really invaluable to activists and reformers," he said.