#NerdsUnite with @theECA

 #TalkNerdyToMeLover's @Chickamungus

Since 2005 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been trying to pass a law that prohibits the selling or renting of violent video games to minors.  Video game organizations like the ESA and ECA have been challenging this law, stating that it violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments by restricting freedom of expression and violating the equal protection clause.  Because of these groups making such a valiant effort, Schwarzengger's case on violent video games has gotten the boot twice- first in the U.S. District Court, and the second time in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.  Five years later, despite former failures trying to pass this law, Schwarzenegger has finally gotten his petition through to the U.S. Supreme Court, and later this year his case of violent video games will be reviewed yet again.

What's so important about this case is that the court will decide if video games deserve to be protected under the First Amendment.  Most of you know that the First Amendment protects freedom of speech.  If the Supreme Court passes this law, then the court will regulate games based on their own definition of what's violent, and because games will no longer be protected, the government may even regulate what video game publishers are making.  This is HUGE!  

It would be kind of ironic if the guy from Terminator actually terminated gamers, publishers, and developers rights.  BUT there's something we all can do about that.  The ECA has organized a petition on their site that will allow all gamers to have their voice heard!  If you head here  you will see the statement that the ECA has written!

We, the undersigned American video game consumers, purchase, rent and play video games the way we do other entertainment content such as movies and music. We respectfully request that you hold that video games are indeed free speech, protected under the First Amendment, like other entertainment media.

All you have to do is sign, then continue to spread the word so that everyone has to chance to stand up for their gamer's rights!  So go gamers!  Get your name signed on a petition that really matters to you!  

#NerdsUnite!