Feature Archives
Thu Oct 30 2003
Media Conglomerate and Supervisor Dufty Privatize Halloween
Fall, 2003Everyone's favorite radio monopolizer, Clear Channel, sponsored Halloween in the Castro this year. Clear Channel are the same folks who brought us this spring's pro-war rallies and own over 1200 radio stations; Along with Wells Fargo and a host of other companies, they officially sponsored the event, which included 14 gated entryways, a search upon entrance, and a three dollar "donation." A resolution introduced by Supervisor Bevan Dufty on July 1, 2003, was adopted by the Board of Supervisors to make Halloween in the Castro an official City event. This opened avenues for corporate sponsors of the notorious spontaneous street party. Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 |
See halloweensf.com for details
Wed May 1 2002
Clear Channel Set to Monopolize SF's Newsracks
On Mon 5/6, the SF Board of Supervisors will decide whether Clear Channel, through its subsidiary Adshel, will be allowed to control the city's proposed new "pedmounts," kiosks to replace newsracks. Media activists will be there to raise hell against yet another Clear Channel monopoly. The corporation would have the right to decide what publications are distributed through the new news racks, pay no fees to cover the City's administrative costs, and be permitted to put enormous ads on the backs of the racks. A press conference denouncing the move will be held at City Hall at noon.
Action alert | Bay Guardian article | Media Alliance on KMEL/Davey D. | Salon.com on Clear Channel
Action alert | Bay Guardian article | Media Alliance on KMEL/Davey D. | Salon.com on Clear Channel
Thu Jul 18 2002
Social Control 101: The RAVE Act
The Senate is on the verge of passing legislation that would give federal prosecutors extraordinary powers to shut down raves or other musical events in yet another backwards step in the so-called "War on Drugs." The bill would increase the poorly-named "crack house statute," enabling the government to shut down clubs where drugs are found even if the owner isn't involved in any way. The legislation ostensibly is aimed at "protecting children" and "reducing drug use," but instead is another form of regulating where and how mostly young people can converge and enjoy themselves. Additionally, organizations doing harm reduction work in the rave community could potentially be barred from giving out the information that ravers need to stay safe. Details
Dancesafe | Drug Policy Alliance | Full text of bill
Dancesafe | Drug Policy Alliance | Full text of bill
Fri Nov 15 2002
New report shows that KMEL is not the "People's Station"
"Young folks are listening to KMEL, not the news, " said Nicole Lee, organizer for Let’s Get Free. "We need the station to include the voices of our youth leaders, not blame them, and be willing to look at the public policies that are the root causes of the problems in our communities."
Looking at root causes is not something that the corporate media is accustomed to doing, and KMEL, a Clear Channel station, is no exception, who last year fired popular host Davey D after he dared to question the patriotic party line after 9/11. A new report put out by media activists Media Alliance and the Youth Media Council details the extent to which KMEL ignores the most basic issues of its largest target demographic. Full report | Media Alliance | Youth Media Council |
Mon Apr 28 2003
People's Park Celebrates 34th Anniversary in Berkeley

PeoplesPark.org | Photos: 1 | 2
Mon Jun 16 2003
Thousands at punk rock heroine Patti Smith anti-war benefit

Photos & Video: 1 - 2 - 3 | Why Patti Smith Mattered
Mon Sep 8 2003
Over 30,000 Attend Power to the Peaceful Festival
The 5th annual 911 Power to the Peaceful Festival drew
over 30,000 to Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park on
Saturday, September 6. Originally called 911 because
of the emergency nature of the case of Mumia
Abu-Jamal, Power to the Peaceful now reflects the
desire to be rid of "terrorism and the war on
terrorism," in the words of organizer and musician
Michael Franti. Over 100 social and political
organizations were represented at the Festival, and a
good time was had by all. Photos: 1 | 2
Arts + Action:
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