Thursday’s picket in support of KPFA’s workers was a resounding success. If you only do one thing today, watch this amazing 7 minute video of the rally and see the action item at the end. (There has been high demand, so if you encounter technical difficulties, try this alternative version.) Photos are available here.
Democracy Now! staff sent a message of solidarity that was read at the rally. Many other letters of support are here and here.
ACTION ALERT: the Pacifica National Board may vote on KPFA’s budget TONIGHT (Friday). You can write them an urgent message here. Please tell them to support local programming and the hard-working staff who make it happen.
Media coverage included Berkeleyside, the San Jose Mercury News, and Radio Survivor. An important critical perspective on the crisis at Pacifica by historian Iain Boal appeared in the national journal Counterpunch.
Pacifica’s executive director Arlene Engelhardt emerged briefly from her office during the picket, and protestors began asking her questions. Key among them: “What’s your salary?” She did not answer (see her reaction to the question here). Even though Pacifica is a nonprofit corporation, it has so far refused to release information on its highly-paid management.
Engelhardt has rejected alternative budget proposals, which are backed by staff and listeners, the local station board, and KPFA management. Those proposals, called the Sustainable Budget, would reduce bureaucratic overhead rather than cut on-air programming.
WANT TO DO MORE? Come KPFA’s local board meeting, this Saturday, Nov 6. at 2 pm, at the North Berkeley Senior Center (one block north of KPFA). Please come and speak your mind.