Free Radio Austin Raided

Radio 01 in Austin, Texas, an unlicensed Free Radio Station, was raided by local, state, and
Federal authorities on Oct. 4. Free Radio Austin, another unlicensed station that has been in operation for several years was raided today, Tuesday October 10. In both cases all
transmitters and related equipment were seized. This included removal of broadcast towers and the digging up of the FRA transmitter that was buried over 3 feet deep and encased in concrete. As these stations have been operating without interference complaints for some time, it is believed these actions are a pre-emptive strike against alternative media in preparation for the Fortune 500 Forum scheduled in Austin for October 12-14. This years theme is _Doing Business Different: Strategies from Maverick CEOs._

Protests have been in the works since the location announcement was made in early July.
Protesters in the past have benefited from Free Radio Stations and Independent Media
Centers (IMC) in getting their message out and providing uncensored news on demonstrations. Further, it is likely that both Radio 01 and FRA were involved to some
degree in organizing or supporting these protests.

This type of selective action follows a pattern set during the Republican and Democratic
National Convention protests in which authorities moved to muzzle independent media and
prevent dissenters from promoting their views. Tactics have included confiscating puppets, attempts to shut down Independent Media Centers for code violations, and targeting of independent and mainstream press for physical abuse and arrest by police. However, it
would be a mistake to count out folks in Austin just yet. These media activists have their
own way of Doing Business Differently and have honed their skills as Maverick radio
stations.

For further information go to <http://www.radio1austin.com/> and
<http://www.pirateradio.org/fra/>