THINGS
YOU CAN DO TO HELP
(page revised 2/26/01)
If you have suggestions, questions, or you want to be part of
the emergency phone-tree, write me, Soula, at ksvp@sinewave.com
or phone (510) 235-4860.
Are you aware of the crisis with the Pacifica bylaws? As Larry Bensky said on Sunday Salon, 1/28/01, "It's crunch time, folks: If you've ever marched, sent a letter, emailed or done anything for KPFA, you've got to come out of the closet and do something right now."
John Murdock, Pacifica Board member, has drafted a re-write of the bylaws that will destroy any chance for democracy on the board and will make selling WBAI and/or KPFA a snap. It is obvious from their recent tactics at WBAI that they are heading for a sale.
There are some things that you could do to help, and if you can also enlist other people you know, Now is the time:
The current options, explained in the following section, are:
1) Call the programmers and staff, asking that they read the crisis announcements or play the carts.
2) Picket Epstein, Becker, and Green M-W or F
3) Write to California Attorney General Bill Lockyer
4) Phone, fax, and email EBG about the disastrous new bylaws (sample letter)
5) Contact US and State Congressmembers (sample letter)
6) Donate to the legal defense funds
7) Donate to place ads in Houston newspapers
8) Send names of potentially helpful groups1) 2/23 update: According to reports from people who have spoken to programmers as of yesterday, the CD with the protest carts could not be found. Please ask the programmers (510) 848-4425 to make announcements about the picketing themselves if they cannot find the carts. (See the front page of this site for details. New carts will be made soon. See below for phone techniques.) Please phone the comment line 510-848-6767, ext. 622, and emphasize how important it is that announcements about the crisis and about things people can do to help are VERY important. (Yes, it is too bad we have to remind the people who work at KPFA of this!)
2/26: List of KPFA phone #s -- call them all and tell them to announce the picketing and the demonstration on 2/28!!
2/21 update: Please at least phone the KPFA comment line, where you can leave an anonymous message, and ask that the "protest carts" be played as often as possible, all the time. There is a CD there at the studio console where the programmers sit, dated 2/5, and it has many protest carts (short recordings), which the programmers can play during their shows. Apparently these carts have been "taken out of rotation" for some unknown reason. (This inside info comes from programmer Mary Berg, as well as the suggestion for calling the comment line.) The phone number for the comment line is 510-848-6767, ext. 622.
Older/detailed Info 1/15/01:
We need KPFA to get the word out to all the listeners. Some shows have not been mentioning the crisis, and some supporters are still not aware that there is a new and serious problem, or that there are things they can do to help. To remedy this, there should now be a written announcement about the current crisis posted on the console at the studio, where the programmers sit. Call the programmers during their show and ask them to read on the air the announcement about the current crisis or to play the "cart" (the recorded version -- John Sheridan and Scott Fleming have made a good cart [2/2/01], which mentions the picketing and other important things, and it is available in the studio).
The number for the studio is (510) 848-4425. Additionally, you can leave messages for some of the staff on their voicemail.
Some suggestions:
- Call your favorite programmers if they are not making the announcement (or even your not-so-favorite programmers -- and we especially need to reach the all-night music shows about this), and tell them, "I love your show, and I am so worried that KPFA might be sold and I would not be able to hear you anymore. I don't want to lose you; could you please promise me you will read the announcement every time you are on, at least for this one month?" (until the next PNB meeting in March)
- If they say they are doing it already, thank them and ask them "how many times?".
- "Look, this is just going to take 40 seconds, can you do this at least for this one month?"2) We are picketing at Epstein Becker and Green in SF on M-W-F at lunchtimes (at 2 Embarcadero Center, close to the Embarcadero BART. This is the unionbusting law firm that employs John Murdock. Please call Anne Fitzmaurice (510) 845-8133 or John Sheridan (510) 652-0272 to coordinate a day when you can help out with this. They have flyers and signs for the picketing. email addresses: Anne Fitzmaurice: aftzmrc@pacbell.net, John Sheridan: johnsher@lanminds.com. Also see http://soula.org/pacifica for more details about picketing.
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3) Write to Attorney General Lockyer -- and thank him for his help!
4) Telephone Epstein, Becker, and Green if you object to the money you've donated to Pacifica being used to further the destruction of the organization. (Ask to discuss this with John Murdock or any partner in the law firm!) Ask John Murdock to please resign. Specifically tell them what you think of his new bylaws (concentration of power, conflict of interest, etc.). You can also write, fax or email. NOTE: If you get hold of John Murdock in person: he is extremely personable and convincing, so be prepared with all the points you want to make!!
In San Francisco: (415) 398-3500 FAX: (415) 398-0955 dtemachine@ebglaw.com
2 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111
In Washington, D.C. (202) 851-0900 FAX: (202) 296-2822 sepstein@ebglaw.com
1227 25th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037
In New York (212) 351-4500
In Los Angeles (310) 398-3500Sample letter to Epstein, Becker and Green employees, 2/13/01
5) Call or write your U.S. Congress senators and representative and tell them about the proposed bylaws changes and their effects on the network. (To find the Congressmember’s phone and address, look in the blue government listings in your phone book under U.S. Government Offices under the heading Congress.) [sample letter, US Congress]
In California, call or write your local State Assembly person. Ask them to talk with members of the Assembly's Legislative Audit Committee to investigate the bylaws changes. Also ask them to ask the California Attorney General to stop the passage of these by-laws, which would effectively destroy a historic and vital California non-profit corporation, the Pacifica Foundation! [sample letter, State Assembly] (To find an Assemblymember’s phone and address, look in the blue government listings in your phone book under State Government Offices under the heading Assembly or go to the website http://www.house.gov/writerep )
Also write to the Chair of the Legislative Audit Committee: Santa Crus/Monterey Assemblyman Fred Keeley.
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6) Donate to the legal defense funds. There is an UMBRELLA FUND: Tax deductible contributions in any amount to support ALL THREE law suits -- the Committee to Remove the Pacifica Board/Listeners' suit, the LAB suit, and the Directors' (Robinson/Kriegel) suit -- can be sent to:
Free Pacifica Legal Action/Vanguard Foundation
383 Rhode Island #301
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-487-2111
The lawsuit that is currently in progress is Siegel and Yee's (the LAB suit). You can send them a check (not tax deductible) directly to:
Siegel and Yee Trust/Pacifica Account
499 14th St. #200
Oakland, CA 94612AN ADDITIONAL OPTION: Donate to the Listener's Fund for KPFA
----------------7) Donate to place ad in Houston papers
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001 12:20:13 -0500
From: Evan Davis <evan@iwaynet.net>
Subject: Immediate action needs your help!O.K., folks; I guess it's time to take this to the lists
We are about to place a series of ads in the HHouston Press to publish the text of Juan Gonzalez's on-air resignation and to announce several teach-ins in Houston being organized with the help of the Green Party to build momentum for protests at the annual PNB meeting there in March
. Juan has endorsed this action and offered to help and we have collected somegenerous donations so far but we need more. We are now contracted to run 3 consecutive ads with the third ad in the issue just before the PNB meeting being larger than the first two. The total contracted cost is $833 of which we have raised just over a third. For an additional $274 we could increase the size of the first two ads so we need to raise between $530 and $804 right away.
Juan told me he intends to do some grass-roots organbizing in each of the Pacifica Prime communities as wellm as within the affiliated stations areas and that ads like trhis in local alternative papers are a key part of that strategy but that this particular ad may be the most significant since there are already teach-ins organized and to have a large showing at the PNB meeting is very important.
Please send anything you can to me ( I am the one collecting the funds and my name is on the contract). I will administer the donations and if we take inmore than we need I will allocate the excess proportionally and contact each donor to inquire as to how best to disburse the remainder ( Carol Spooner's lawsuit seems to be the prevailing preference). `
Send donations to;
Evan Davis
247 E. Kelso
Columbus, Ohio 43202home ( 614) 267-4743 voice mail ( O.K. to leave CC #'s) ( 614) 523-6840.
Thanks! I can accept credit cards8) Send names of groups that you know that have used the Pacifica airwaves to savepacifica@ peacenet.org, or contact them yourself. They may be able to get active on behalf of the network at this time of crisis.
online resources:
http://www.savepacifica.net/bylaws_revise.html (revised bylaws full text)
http//www.savepacifica.net (lots of information, updates on the situation)
Anne Fitzmaurice re: her SAMPLE LETTER to US Congressperson:
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2001 08:41:31 -0800
From: Anne Fitzmaurice
Subject: Write your Congressperson about bylaws revision
I sent this letter (and a duplicate email) to Barbara Lee today. She is my U.S. Congressional representative. Barbara Lee and other Northern California Congressional reps were instrumental in getting us back on the air in 1999. They have the power to affect these bylaw changes and we need them to exercise this power now.
Please contact them. You can find their addresses in the blue pages of the phone book under U.S. Government, Congress, or go to the website http://www.house.gov/writerep
Anne
SAMPLE LETTER to US Congressperson:
February 5, 2001
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
426 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515Dear Congresswoman Lee:
I’m sending this letter both via email and via post. Email sometimes gets overlooked in the deluge I think.
I want to encourage Congresswoman Lee to become involved again in defense of KPFA and the Pacifica network. You're probably familiar with the current situation: one of the Pacifica board members, John Murdock, has drafted a revision of the Pacifica bylaws.
The revision is extensive but I'm most concerned about the provision that allows the Executive Committee of the board to sell one of the stations. The Executive Committee, without a vote of the full board, can sell one or more of the stations as long as the sale does not include "all or substantially all of the assets or property of the Foundation." These are some of the other provisions that I'm concerned about:
* The board will be able to benefit from the sale in legal, consultant and other fees.
* The board can call a meeting of the board to amend the by-laws without notice in advance and by a bare majority of a quorum.
* The board can change the Articles of Incorporation so Pacifica's original mission can be dismantled altogether.
I would like Congresswoman Lee to talk with other Congressional representatives from the greater S.F. Bay Area and work in concert with them on this issue. I suggest that they do two things: first, put pressure on the Pacifica Board to withdraw the bylaws revision, and second, ask for the resignation from the Board of members who have no connection with community radio. Board members like John Murdock, who is a partner in a law firm that advertises on its website that it helps clients "maintain a union-free work place," do not belong on the Pacifica National Board. We must return to community representation on the board.
This is the most serious threat to the network since its founding in 1949. Please bring this to Congresswoman Lee’s attention as soon as possible. The national board meets the first week in March. It’s likely the new bylaws will be voted on at that time. Thank you.
Anne Fitzmaurice
KPFA Supporter ….
SAMPLE LETTER to State Assembly Representative:
February 5, 2001
Assembly Representative Dion Aroner
918 Parker St., Ste. A-13
Berkeley, CA 94710Dear Assembly Representative Aroner:
I’m sending this letter both via email and via post.
I want to encourage you to become involved again in defense of KPFA and the Pacifica network. You're probably familiar with the current situation: one of the Pacifica board members, John Murdock, has drafted a revision of the Pacifica bylaws. The Pacifica Foundation is chartered in the state of California as a public benefit non-profit corporation. That is why the Attorney General and the state legislature took a very real interest in the struggle following the crackdown at KPFA in 1999. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held a hearing and later issued a report detailing extensive malfeasance on the part of Pacifica management. The Attorney General reviewed the Listeners' Lawsuit (aka the Spooner Lawsuit) and granted his permission to proceed (a legally required step). We urgently need the assistance of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee again at this crucial juncture in order to prevent Pacifica from reincorporating in another state and/or selling off one or more of the stations.
The attempted revision of the bylaws is extensive, and this National Board, having violated the original bylaws and having three lawsuits outstanding against it, should not be allowed to make any revisions at all. It is clear that the goal of the revisions is to remove Pacifica from the State of California to avoid the lawsuits and to then be able to sell the stations and profit as individuals from the sales. The revisions allow the Executive Committee of the board to sell stations. The Executive Committee, without a vote of the full board, can sell one or more of the stations as long as the sale does not include "all or substantially all of the assets or property of the Foundation." These are some of the other provisions that I'm concerned about:
* The board will be able to benefit from the sale in legal, consultant and other fees.
* The board can call a meeting of the board to amend the by-laws without notice in advance and by a bare majority of a quorum.
* The board can change the Articles of Incorporation so Pacifica's original mission can be dismantled altogether.
I would like you to talk with other California legislators and work in concert with them on this issue. I suggest that they do two things: first, put pressure on the Pacifica Board to withdraw the bylaws revision, and second, ask for the resignation from the Board of members who have no connection with community radio. Board members like John Murdock, who is a partner in a law firm that advertises on its website that it helps clients "maintain a union-free work place," do not belong on the Pacifica National Board. We must return to community representation on the board.
Please ask the Attorney General to stop the passage of these by-laws, which would effectively destroy a historic and vital California non-profit corporation, the Pacifica Foundation.
This is the most serious threat to the network since its founding in 1949. Please take action on this matter as soon as possible. The national board meets the first week in March. It’s likely the new bylaws will be voted on at that time.
Thank you.