Tensions at WBAI again exploded onto the airwaves on Monday morning as 18 demonstrators entered the station in an attempt to restore the popular "Democracy NOW!" program to the airwaves. When it was over, a reporter from WBAI had become involved in a physical altercation with a reporter from the Independent Media Center.

The demonstrators entered the station at approximately 9:00 am, which is the time that "Democracy NOW!" is normally heard. However, that program has not aired in New York for the last three weeks. According to station management, this is because host Amy Goodman has refused to participate in the station's fundraising activities. Goodman's supporters say this is untrue and that she has been actively fundraising for other Pacifica stations airing the program. They say "Democracy NOW!" is not being aired in New York as retribution for Goodman's continued reference to WBAI at the end of each program as "the studios of the banned and fired," a protest against the massive firings and bannings that took place at the radio station since new management took over in December.

Monday's events started when protestors managed to enter the station and began chanting to have "Democracy NOW!" restored to the airwaves. Morning show host Marjorie Moore kept the microphone on and made an effort to remain calm as events unfolded. In an apparent attempt to continue the theme of the program which was yoga and meditation, Moore said, "We're talking about peace of mind and we're talking about harmony and we're trying to deal with our anger and frustration at a very high level and the way to do that is communication." But there was no more communication after another 60 seconds as the program went to a tape on how to eat properly and be harmonious.

Police were not needed to dispel the demonstrators, who, after attempting to unfurl a banner, left the station on their own. What happened after the initial outburst has turned into a point of contention that threatens to cause a major rift between two major alternative media entities. A reporter from the Independent Media Center, a makeshift group of independent journalists with offices around the world, showed up at the scene after the demonstration had ended. An altercation between WBAI reporter Paul DiRienzo and IMC reporter Kevin Prichard ensued as Prichard was apparently attempting to report on the story. De tails remain sketchy at this point and there doesn't appear to be any video or audio of what took place. However, both reporters later went to the hospital and are said to be pursuing legal action.

DiRienzo spent considerable time on the air right after the incident condemning the entire Independent Media Center. He said the IMC was funded by the right wing to support Amy Goodman and take over the station. "They're no different than the people who protest abortion clinics," he said. In addition, Amy Goodman and her supporters were verbally attacked for over half an hour by those in control of the studio as "working hard to sabotage" both the fundraiser and the station. No calls from listeners were taken throughout the morning and no mention was made of the incident on the evening news.

This is the second fundraiser to take place since the change in management at the station, with many listeners vowing to withhold their support until the bans are lifted and the Pacifica National Board is democratized. (Currently, the board is self-elected.) There have been numerous reports that the boycotts are having a disasterous effect at the station, on everything from equipment not getting repaired to staff not getting paid. The fundraiser is scheduled to end Tuesday night.

"Off The Hook" listeners raised over $6,000 for the station on May 22. The show is scheduled to return to the airwaves on June 12.

2600 hosts the New York City IMC office and we find the allegation that it's part of some right wing conspiracy to be nothing short of bizarre. It's unfortunate that this kind of name-calling is taking place and we can only hope that cooler heads quickly prevail.

We also hope to uncover the facts as to what happened Monday morning. We remain proud of our affiliation with IMC - they have done much to cover events that are ignored by the mainstream press and they are the most positive force in the media today and probably the best chance that most individuals have of actually "becoming the media" themselves. It's sadly ironic that WBAI and Pacifica seem to be working against such an organization, rather than helping them to blossom.

Press Release issued by the demonstrators

Press Release issued by Kevin Prichard of IMC

WBAI

Independent Media Center

WBIX - Online radio for "WBAI in Exile"

Demonstrators at WBAI - Initial Confrontation (Download MP3)
Demonstrators at WBAI - Initial Confrontation (Stream MP3)

Demonstrators at WBAI - On Air Reaction 1 (Download MP3)
Demonstrators at WBAI - On Air Reaction 1 (Stream MP3)

Demonstrators at WBAI - On Air Reaction 2 (Download MP3)
Demonstrators at WBAI - On Air Reaction 2 (Stream MP3)