<nettime> crisis at KPFA radio, berkeley (update, sunday, july 18)

[bernardo parrella <berny@sirius.com>]

as an update to the very serious and never-ending crisis at kpfa here in
berkeley, california, here is the latest bulletin from the "savepacifica" 
mailing list; 

i can only add the since last week takeover from pacifica and kpfa shut
down, many&many people are showing kpfa headquarters, attending an ongoing
sit-in/rallies in front of the, including some of them sleeping under a
few tents on the adjacent sidewalk

for a few days the crisis was even on the front page of the local media(sf
chronicle& examiner, oakland tribune, local radio-TV, etc.); 

a big benefit concert is scheduled Monday night at 7:30 at the Berkeley
Community Theater, featuring Joan Baez, Dar Williams, Dr. Loco, and many
others (tickets at door only, $20, no reserved seats); 

more later,


--b.

------------------------

<< start of forwarded material >>


X-Sender: savepacifica@pop2.igc.org (Unverified)
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 11:22:28 -0700
To: savepacifica@peacenet.org
From: savepacifica <savepacifica@peacenet.org>
Subject: UPDATE: Sunday, July 18
Mime-Version: 1.0
Status: U



UPDATE: CAMP-OUT AND DAY-LONG RALLIES CONTINUE IN FRONT OF KPFA

        PACIFICA AFFILIATES SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH KPFA WORKERS AND
        COMMUNITY

        BOARD MEMBERS MAY NOT BE INFORMED ABOUT GRAVITY OF THE
        SITUATION - PLEASE WRITE TO THEM TODAY!

1. Many people write to us to say they've occasionally gotten through to
Pacifica board members, who often say they had no idea the situation was
as serious as it is.  They also say the situation is a result of the
actions of a small clique in Berkeley, or that it is a labor- management
disputute, or that it is an effort to block diversity. 

PLEASE WRITE OR PHONE...TODAY!...ANY OR ALL BOARD MEMBERS. Addresses are
posted at   http://savepacifica.net/

   Some points to make to them...

Pacifica has now been sued in California court, and is accused of
constituting its board illegally (insert link to lawsuit text) as well as
fiscal irresponsibility.  THIS MAY WELL LEAD TO BOARD MEMBERS BEING
SUMMONED TO TESTIFY...AND TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MOVING THE
ORGANIZATION TOWAD BANKRUPTCY.  Do board members understand their personal
liability now? 

A legislative hearing has been called for in Sacramento into the
situation. 
 AGAIN, INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS MAY BE CALLED TO TESTIFY, AND PROVIDE
FINANCIAL RECORDS.  Are board members ready for this? 

Another lawsuit may be in the works concerning the lockout of workers.  DO
BOARD MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THEIR LIABILITY HERE? 

[ A Lawsuit Challenging the Hostile Takeover By Pacifica Board of
Directors was Filed: July 16, 1999 in Alameda County Superior Court

Details can be found at:  http://www.radio4all.org/freepacifica/legal.htm
]

Pacifica is spending tens of thousands of dollars on armed security guards
(at least six) 24 hours a day at the station and at the transmitter.  In
addition, Pacifica is spending huge amounts of money on legal fees, extra
employees brought in especially for this takeover, outside consultants and
offices.  DO BOARD MEMBERS HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE EXPENDITURES? 
WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM?  HOW CLOSE IS PACIFICA TO BANKRUPTCY? 

Pacifica constantly says it wants arbitration.  The staff and community
have stated REPEATEDLY for three and a half months that we're willing to
arbitrate.  But then Pacifica casts the conflict as a "labor management
dispute."  THIS IS NOT A LABOR MANAGEMENT DISPUTE!  IT'S A CRISIS
INVOLVING PAID AND UNPAID WORKERS, THE COMMUNITY, AND KPFA'S LOCAL
MANAGEMENT AS WELL.  A steering committee of 11 representatives from all
these constituencies has been waiting for NEARLY THREE WEEKS TO TALK TO
PACIFICA. 
 No response. 

Dr. Mary Frances Berry refused to meet with that steering committee when
here for a few hours last week.  She has refused to meet with other groups
which have beseeched her for months (including major donors and
African-American programmers).  She has told board members she will not
discuss with them either the lockout or the infamous "sell the stations" 
memo from Michael Palmer.  HOW LONG ARE BOARD MEMBERS GOING TO TOLERATE A
BOARD CHAIR THAT IS LEADING THE ORGANIZATION TO INFAMY AND RUIN? 

2. Pacifica affiliate stations have communicated their outrage and
solidarity with the KPFA staff and community, including stations in
Portland, Oregon, Bridgeport, Connecticut, Troy, N.Y.,Tampa, Boulder,
Madison, Garberville, California and Philo, California.  Many have
broadcast live interviews with KPFA representatives.  IF YOU LIVE IN AN
AREA WHERE THERE IS A COMMUNITY STATION... CALL THEM AND HAVE THEM WRITE
TO US! 

3. Day long rallies continue today (Sunday) in front of KPFA/Pacifica,
with songs, speeches, street theater and more!  A camp-out has grown to
over sixty people, with tents stretching the entire city block.  COME BY
AND SAY HELLO if you're in the region! 

And don't forget to spread the word about our BIG BENEFIT CONCERT MONDAY
NIGHT 7/19 AT THE BERKELEY COMMUNITY THEATER AT 7:30 featuring Joan Baez,
Dar Williams, Utah Phillips, Dr. Loco and others!  No advance tickets (no
time!) just be there - ticket sales start at 4 p.m. ($20).  WE DON'T HAVE
KPFA (DUH) TO PUBLICIZE THIS CONCERT...WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT!!!! 

<< end of forwarded material >>


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