As net neutrality remains in the spotlight, a myriad of artists have gathered to pen an open letter to Congress, as they have done similarly three years ago, asking that the government stop the Federal Communication Commission‘s upcoming vote to end net neutrality.

The collective includes 150 musicians, actors and artists, including Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Tom Morello of Prophets of Rage, Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills & Nash, anarcho-punk outfit Against Me!, Amanda Palmer, conscious rapper Talib Kweli, and many more.

“Without net neutrality there will be less awesome art. Period,” the open letter reads. “The medium that allows us to be great artists is under threat. Without a free and open internet, so much music, writing, film, art, culture, passion, and creativity would be lost. For the artists of the future, and the culture of the future, we will not be silent.”

The collective also endorsed the numerous protests planned in support of net neutrality and against Verizon on December 7th, one week before the FCC vote on the fate of net neutrality.

“If the FCC votes to gut these protections it will explicitly allow Internet providers to charge extra fees that amount to a tax on the entire creative economy. A few corporations will have control over what you see and hear, while independent and up-and-coming artists’ ability to make a living will be devastated.”

Bassnectar, Colin Hay, Atmosphere, the Glitch Mob and Run the Jewels’ Trackstar the DJ were also among the signers of the open letter, which argued that killing net neutrality would allow “telecom giants” to monopolize internet access as well as be the arbiters of what is accessible.

“Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are guaranteed by our constitution, and we demand that such freedoms continue online. Net Neutrality is essential to our democracy,” the open letter continued. “By fighting for net neutrality, you fight for the future of art.”

The full open letter can be read below.

To: U.S. Congress:

The medium that allows us to be great artists is under threat. Without a free and open internet, so much music, writing, film, art, culture, passion, and creativity would be lost.

For the artists of the future, and the culture of the future, we will not be silent.

Title II guarantees net neutrality and prevents powerful telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon from deciding what art, as well as what news, is easily accessible online.

If the FCC votes to gut these protections it will explicitly allow Internet providers to charge extra fees that amount to a tax on the entire creative economy. A few corporations will have control over what you see and hear, while independent and up-and-coming artists’ ability to make a living will be devastated.

Without net neutrality there will be less awesome art. Period.

The open Internet lets artists reach each other and audiences across the world in unprecedented ways. We are able to collaborate, learn, improve our worlds, participate in our society, and bring the things we love to people who are moved by them.

Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are guaranteed by our constitution, and we demand that such freedoms continue online. Net Neutrality is essential to our democracy.

We support the people from across the political spectrum protesting across the country on December 7, and we echo their call for our members of Congress to do their jobs and take action to stop the FCC vote that’s planned for December 14.

By fighting for net neutrality, you fight for the future of art.

The full list of signees can be found below.

Open letter from artists: we support net neutrality protests and call on Congress to #StopTheFCC signees
Adam Venable / Obeah
Adel Alizadeh
Against Me!
Alfre Woodard
Algiers
Alyssa Milano
Amanda Levie
Amanda michelle
Amanda Palmer
Andrew Lee
Andrew Woolford
Andy Farnsworth
Anti-Flag
Arvin Clay
Ashlee Voorsanger
Atmosphere
Bassnectar
Brandon Schell
Brett Eidman
Brian Baron
Bronwyn Isaac
Bug Martin
Buku
Callowhill
Camille Theobald
Candiss Veree
Carla Anderson
Charlie Hunter
Chloe Herry
Chris Leed
CloZee
Colin Hay
Cory Doctorow, author
Craig Mahoney
Darby Thomas
Darla Jean Patterson
Debra Castellano
Dina Losito
Doug Appling pka Emancipator
Downtown Boys
Elise-Ann Konstantin
Eva Mozena Brandon
Evangeline Lilly
Flobots
Frankiepace
George Sluppick
Graham Nash
Gramatik
Greg Radin
Gregory Joseph
Heather Maloney
Howard Lester
Ian Alexander
Incubus
Iris Creamer
James Finn
Javelin
Jaye McBride
Jeff Hysen
Jeffrey Joseph
Jen Lap
Jessica Brodkin
Jim Mendrinos
Joe Velez
Joey Novick
Jon Yeager
Josh Clauson
Joshua T. Bell
Jude Treder-Wolff
Kevin Barnett
Kevin D. Williams
Kimya Dawson
Kyle Holly
Leah Bonnema
Lesa Noelle
Lili Roquelin
Lisa Curry
Liz Barrett
Liz Larkin
Liz Miele
Lori Nemec
Lucie Steiner
Lynn Bixenspan
Margaret Dodge
Maria Minerva
Marie Corfield
Mark Anthony Ramirez
Matthew Ismael Ruiz
May Wilkerson
Melissa Rocha
Michael Austin Smalley
Michael Carsillo
Michael Stipe, artist/musician
Michi Muzyka
Mike Sasson
Missy G
Mo Vida
Nat Towsen
Neko
Nicholas Allred
Nick Cara
Nikki Clark
Nikki2holes
Pauline Murphy
Peter Michael Marino
Priests
Probcause
Psymbionic
Rachel Green
Ralph Attanasia
Richard Chartier
Rocco Romeo
Roderick Spencer
Sachi Ezura
Sammus
Sarah Doneghy
Scott Blakeman
Seena Ghaznavi
Speedy Ortiz
Stephen Saffel
STS9
Summer Dawn Reyes
Suzanne Lawrence
Suzy Exposito
Talib Kweli
Terry Klein
Tessa Rochon
The Blow
The Glitch Mob
Thomas Cappel
Tiffy DiGiacomo
TJ Del Reno
Tom Morello
TRACEY Carnazzo
Trackstar the DJ
Trophy Wife
Tyler rothrock
wendy liebman
Whitness/Chill Mickelson
Wil Wheaton
Yarineth Pena
Zain Zaidi

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat