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Free Speech Demanded in San Francisco

by Media Alliance (ma [at] igc.org)
Rally, march, and concert culminate in confrontation with police at the Hilton Hotel where the NAB presented the Marconi Radio Awards. A week of media democracy protests included the arrest of nine free speech activists and their attorneys, and the disruption of a speech by FCC Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth.
San Francisco, CA—Thousands of free speech activists rallied at the United Nations Plaza, then marched to Union Square as part of a protest against the National Association of Broadcasters’ annual convention. After the concert, they took to the streets chanting “What do we want? Free Speech! When do we want it? Now!” and “Whose media? Our media!” and marched to the Hilton Hotel to speak directly to the NAB. Thirty police in riot gear stood guard at the Hilton and prevented protestors from entering. Inside the hotel, the NAB—one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the United States—presented its Marconi Radio Awards to radio personalities including Rush Limbaugh, who won “Network Syndicated Personality of the Year.”

“We are here in San Francisco to remind the FCC of their mandate to regulate the airwaves in the public interest. The airwaves belong to the people, but when we turn on our radios, we realize that our airwaves are controlled by corporations who are using this resource for private interest, greed, and profit. Public access to communications is a non-negotiable demand in a democratic society, ” said Greg Ruggiero, an editor at Seven Stories Press in New York.

Ruggiero and about 10 other media activists tried to enter the Hilton on Saturday night as 50 protestors rallied behind them. Activists who tried to enter the hotel were met by police in riot gear who were ordered to use their batons to hit anyone who tried to cross the police line. No arrests resulted.

On Friday, nine protestors and their lawyers were arrested during direct actions against the NAB. Media activists disrupted the NAB’s FCC Congressional Breakfast by grabbing the microphone from NAB President Eddie Fritts. Four young activists got into the convention and locked themselves together with bicycle locks. Others, including media critic Steve Rendall of FAIR, were arrested during a march to Clear Channel Communications. Later on Friday, three attorneys representing the activists were denied access to their clients and arrested for refusing to obey their ban from the Hall of Justice.

Saturday’s events included a rally attended by thousands of micro radio advocates and others upset about corporate control of the airwaves. Teatro Campesino, Michelle Tea, and the Alternative Cheerleaders performed for the crowd. Speakers included Joe Marshall of the Omega Boys Club, whose Street Soldiers radio show was pulled by KMEL during a media merger; Stephen Dunifer, founder of Free Radio Berkeley; and Louie Rocha, President of CWA Local 9423. From the rally, activists marched down Market and Powell Streets, then streamed into Union Square to hear a concert called “Broadcast This!” Concert performers included Rebecca Riots, Martin Luther, Company of Prophets, and Jello Biafra.

Earlier in the day, micro radio supporters attended the National Public Radio Board of Directors meeting to chastise NPR for lobbying against Low Power FM radio. Media reform groups and public radio listeners called on the NPR board to change its position, and encouraged NPR listeners to withhold pledges until NPR ends its opposition to LPFM.

For more information, see http://www.indybay.org and http://www.mediademocracynow.org.
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