Thought there’d be some folks on the site who would be able to go – and several more that would be interested in at least knowing about the event. (Thanks to Amalia Deloney for sending on the news.)

Twin Cities Community Gets Up To Speed With High-Speed Internet

02.11.2010 – (Minneapolis, MN) On Monday, Feb. 15, the Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition will host a community forum on the critical role of the Internet in the lives of people living in the Twin Cities.

Who: Mark Ritchie – Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition

What: Community Forum on Importance of the Internet

Where: Brian Coyle Center, 420 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis

When: Monday, Feb. 15, 1 – 2 p.m.

Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, will speak to the importance of the Internet to civic participation. Artists, activists and other community members will share stories of the role of the Internet in their own successes and challenges.

“Housing, education, jobs, government services – our daily lives are increasingly dependent on the Internet,” said Steven Renderos, media justice organizer with Main Street Project. “This dependency puts those with access at an advantage, and communities that are historically
excluded at a disadvantage.”

The forum is sponsored by the Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition, which includes Main Street Project, the Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizing, Twin Cities Community Voice Mail and People Escaping Poverty Project (Moorhead). The Coalition is focused on influencing Internet/broadband policy and implementation decisions toward access and inclusivity.

This event is one of many being hosted across the country by members of the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net) as part of its National Day of Action.

Main Street Project is a grassroots cultural organizing, media justice and economic development initiative working to help rural and urban communities face today’s realities with hope. We provide creative and practical tools to give people of all ages, cultures, economic and immigration status the opportunity to more fully participate in all aspects of community life. Learn more at mainstreetproject.org