Press Release
“Monopolies Must Go” Public Art Projection Spotlights Antimonopoly Nationwide Action and Active Legislation in DC
04. 04. 2022
Art Group Calls Attention to Growing Public Support For Antimonopoly Legislative Action, Citing Big Tech’s Unchecked Power Harming Our Democracy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the artist group The Illuminator will launch a light activation project in Washington, D.C., to draw attention to active and progressing legislation in Congress that would regulate monopolies. The legislation includes the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA, H.R. 3816, S. 2992,) which would set clear, effective rules to protect competition and users doing business on Big Tech platforms, and the Open App Markets Act (OAMA, H.R. 5017, S. 2710) which would bar big app stores from using their power to require app developers to use a specific in-app payment or from unfairly promoting their own apps above those of competing app developers.
The light projection, visible to those commuting home from the Hill starting around 7:30 p.m. this evening, will clearly and boldly loop the message, “Monopolies hurt democracy / Monopolies drive inequality / Monopolies must go.”
Photos of the public art projection will be available Tuesday morning at: bit.ly/antitrustdayphotos
April 4 marks an inflection point of both public momentum and Big Tech pushback with dueling days of action. Organized by civil society, antimonopoly advocates, tech accountability organizations, and emerging tech companies, “Antitrust Day” will encourage consumers to act and reclaim their right to choice online. The Day of Action will call attention to the large technology companies abusing their dominant positions in the market to undermine competition; putting small businesses at a sharp disadvantage, stifling innovation, and hurting consumers. The current antitrust bills, if passed, would help restore competition in the market by barring many of the anticompetitive tactics currently employed by these companies.