************************************************************************************************* **TOODAY** NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY NOW! ************************************************************************************************* Thursday, May 24th -- Demonstrate 3:30-6:30 PM Outside KPFK 90.7 FM, 3729 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles Say NO to the banning, firings and censorship throughout Pacifica. Demand the resignation of the National Board and the return of democratic accountability now. FUND THE LAWSUITS: FreePacifica Legal Action Fund/Vanguard Foundation, c/o The Vanguard Public Foundation, 383 Rhode Island St., Suite 301, San Francisco, CA 94103 www.boycottKPFK.org *********************************************************************************************************** LETTERS RE MARC COOPER'S ON-AIR ATTACK ON KPFK'S BOYCOTTING LISTENERS: (Transcripts of 5/22 show available upon request: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) *********************************************************************************************************** Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 09:48:51 -0700 From: Tashia Hales <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [imc-la] Clear the air List-Id: Independent Media Center, Los Angeles <imc-la.regenerationtv.net> Dear KPFK Staff, To say that I listen to KPFK is like saying I listen to my heart beating. There is no other way. I am disturbed by the postings that have become ever increasing on the IMC mail service, of which I am a member as well as an occasional journalist. At first I could not believe the horrible things being said about Pacifica Networks, so I challenged the whole IMC community to prove these accusations in a letter I posted last week. The response was both overwhelming and deeply touching. Every letter that I received showed me that the writer understood my pain because it was also their own, and explained to me their understanding of this crisis that Pacifica is undergoing. I was still skeptical. Then yesterday, Mark Cooper came on the radio and began cursing those protesters in no uncertain terms. He became so angry and mean spirited that I felt I was no longer listening to KPFK but possibly to some far right extremist radio that spews hate. I was shocked. This is a message to Mr. Mark Cooper: Remember that those who fear a corporate take-over of Pacifica are listeners to KPFK, and I would bet in past days, passionate supporters. Yesterday you misused your power and the trust that was given to you be the progressive community of Los Angeles to speak about them as though they were a lower form of life. You who knows the danger of dictators and demagogues first hand! I will never forget this. You have, in my mind, lost much of your credibility as a reporter. I am sorry for you. Sincerely, Sean Karlin, Los Angeles, Ca ************************************************************************************** A Letter to KPFK by Hieronymous D 3:31pm Wed May 23 '01 - posted at www.la.indymedia.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] I could only take so much crap. May you give them more of the same, until they understand. Dear KPFK -- I have been genuinely conflicted about the boycott campaign. On the one hand, it has been very troubling to hear about the "Christmas Coup" at WBAI, the harassment of Amy Goodman (call it what you will), the composition of the National Board (corporate types who probably sit on a lot of boards), and more recently, the Congressional hearings on Pacifica and the pre-emption of current Democracy Now programs (and yes, we know the real deal -- the latest Democracy Now! programs are available on the Web, you know.) On the OTHER hand, I am concerned that a boycott will, as your refurbished website of apologetics claims, only encourage the Board to sell, or at least sell out some, to pay the bills. It's a real quandary for me. Listening to Marc Cooper's hostile diatribe yesterday, however, has soldified my position. You definitely won't get a dime from me this time around. When Marc calls my fifty dollars "lousy," I think he knows where he can stick it. And no, fifty bucks don't come easy to a lot of us, Marc. Calling my fifty bucks "lousy" is pretty bourgeois verbage for a "progressive" journalist. Perhaps Marc's true elitist colors are finally showing through. Marc's plaintive on-air freakout, and your website, fail to address the real issues, preferring to sidestep them by marring those who would question your judgement. The real issues are that Pacifica has repeatedly antagonized award-winning journalist Amy Goodman; has insinuated a desire to sell stations; has thwarted the traditional participatory role of Local Advisory Boards; has made the gross mistake of silencing a member of Congress on its airwaves; and now, has become the subject of a Congressional hearing and subsequent Washington Post article. Still got the blinders on? The people who are protesting Pacifica and boycotting the stations, contrary to your suggestions, care very deeply about Pacifica and want it to stay true to Lew Hill's vision. They are confused about what to do, but feel that they have to try a boycott, as nothing else seems to get the attention of Pacifica's current leadership. Peaceful protests get dissidents smeared as "violent," and when the dissidents try to express a contrary opinion through their comparatively limited means, we're told not to believe "rumors" flying around on the Web. You're starting to sound more and more like an unreliable witness. The real crisis at Pacifica is one of legitimacy. And so, I leave you with this thought, a lyric from a song that Eric Clapton once sang: "Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself." Really: do this. Don't make us do it for you. -- Derek Iversen www.alliancegreens.com ******************************************************* 5/21/01 - REPORT ON LISTENERS' LAWSUIT ******************************************************* The pins & needles waiting for the Judge's rulings after the hearing on May 15th were removed today! At last week's hearing Judge Sabraw took matters under submission. Today he issued his rulings. 1) On Pacifica's demurrer (motion to dismiss) to our case -- Pacifica was overruled on all issues except a technicality -- The Judge wants ANOTHER letter from the Attorney General approving the complaint we filed. We anticipate no difficulty with that, as the AG's office has already said they would supply it if needed. The Judge also doesn't like our "quo warranto" legal theory, but as he pointed out, we can get all the legal remedies we seek without it, so that is of little consequence (although I liked it a lot, myself, and am disappointed). 2) On our motion for preliminary injunction prohibiting Pacifica from taking significant actions until the case is resolved -- the Judge said he will make a "Case Management Order" if the parties do not stipulate to some restrictions on Pacifica's actions. It looks like the Judge will require Pacifica to give 30 days notice to all parties before they do anything significant, so that we will have time to get to court to stop it, if necessary. We're very pleased -- we never would have gotten this without our motion, so this is a BIG victory. This should be a big help over the coming months, as Pacifica has been calling telephone conference board meetings on 48 hours notice, and without notice to all directors, and refusing to tell the minority "dissident" directors what they were voting on at the meetings! 3) The Judge Granted our motion to prohibit Pacifica from paying attorney's fees for its directors (unless they put up a bond to repay Pacifica if they lose). At the hearing last week Mr. Temchine (from director John Murdock's law firm -- Epstein Becker & Green) and Mr. Rapaport (from -- Pacifica's insurance defense law firm -- Wendel Rosen Black & Dean) "unintentionally" gave the judge the false impression that Epstein Becker & Green was being paid by Pacifica's insurance carrier. (The law permits and encourages insurance defense, but prohibits the corporation from using its own funds to defend its directors, without adequate security that they will repay the money if they lose the case.) When we clarified that for the judge today that Pacifica is paying Epstein Becker & Green the Judge was quite surprised! Anyway the directors will have to come up with a bond if they want Pacifica to pay for their legal defense. 4) However, the judge would not disqualify Epstein Becker & Green for conflicts of interests, saying the directors have the right to counsel of their choice. I was quite disappointed with that ruling. The trial date was set for January 7th. The 3 lawsuits -- LAB suit, Directors' suit, and our Listeners' suit were consolidated for trial. Carol Spooner Committee to Remove the Pacifica Board (sponsors of the "Listeners' lawsuit") Web Page: http://home.pon.net/wildrose/remove.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN-ANNOUNCE: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network - Event Announcements --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?subject=laamn-news> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn-announce> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- <http://home.labridge.com/~laamn> | LAAMN | <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your use of Yahoo! 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