Today, hundreds of organizations and companies are working to get the word out about the Federal Communications Commission's plan to jettison its open internet rules, a move that could decimate net neutrality as we know it.

Without net neutrality rules, internet services providers would be free to block content, slow down video streams, or charge extra to access certain sites or services online. Telcos could use this power to stifle competition and innovation, by giving their own content and services unfair advantages.

Today's digital protest is an important effort to help preserve the net neutrality rules that help uphold a free and open internet. It's also not enough. Keeping the current rules on the books---or replacing them with new, enforceable rules from Congress---requires steady pressure, ongoing on public officials. Here's what you can do today and in the weeks, months, and even years to come.

Write to the FCC

If you haven't already, you can file a comment with the FCC in support of net neutrality, including maintaining the Title II classification. You can find the form here under Restoring Internet Freedom. Just remember that the comments are part of the public record, and obviously fake names---or racist comments about FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, which flooded the comment section after a John Oliver segment on net neutrality---only serve to undermine net neutrality advocates' message.

And don't just copy and paste a canned statement. Write something personal about how the issue affects you or your family or your business or your community. If you're looking for a place to start, read this.

Contact Your Representatives

If the FCC ends up revoking its own authority to enforce net neutrality, it will be up to Congress to reform the law to ensure protections. It's important that representatives hear from their constituents that they value net neutrality. If you're not sure who your representatives are or how to get in touch with them, this handy tool from GovTrack will help you out.

If one of your senators or representatives happens to be on their branch's commerce committee—tasked with overseeing the FCC and telecommunications issues in general—it's especially important that they hear from you on the topic. The Senate committee is chaired by John Thune (R-SD), and the subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet is chaired by Roger Wicker (R-MS). The House committee is headed by Greg Walden (R-OR) and the Communications and Technology subcommittee is chaired by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). If you live in their state or district, it's vital that you get in touch.

Activists agree that meeting with your senators or representative in person is the best way to get your message across. Look for a schedule of local town hall meetings on their websites. Failing personal access, you can call their office. If you're having trouble getting through, or would simply prefer to leave a voicemail, you can use the app Stance to record a message and have it delivered at a later time.

If, for whatever reason, you can't meet in person or make a phone call, don't despair. You can still write to your representatives through the contact forms on their websites. "I don't want people who are disabled or otherwise unable to make phone calls to feel like their voice doesn't matter, because it absolutely does," Emily Ellsworth, a former congressional staffer whose guide to contacting representative went viral after President Donald Trump was elected, told WIRED earlier this year.

Again, taking time to craft a personal comment---however short---is key.

Think State and Local Too

Your state and local leaders can make a difference too. "In the past, city mayors have been strong advocates for net neutrality protections," says Timothy Karr of the organization Free Press. "Any member of Congress worth his or her salt will always have an ear to the ground to see what’s happening in local politics. Local messages trickle up to Washington."