1.  State of the Conflict
2.  What You Can Do - All Across the Country
3.  What You Can Do - DAILY PICKETING TO BEGIN IN BERKELEY

State of the Conflict

1. There has been no progress in any dealings with either Pacifica Executive Director Lynn Chadwick, or the national board, chaired by Dr.Mary Frances Berry.

A two-hour meeting was held with Chadwick by 18 staff members from KPFA. It was characterized as "useless" and "a waste of time" by KPFA staffers. A facilitator was present, as well as Cheryl Garner-Shaw, Pacifica's national development director, who supports Chadwick. Chadwick repeatedly stated she wanted "dialogue" and "communication." She also said she would
not agree to discuss ANY of the staff and community's demands (reinstatement of Nicole Sawaya, reversal of disciplinary proceedings including firing of Larry Bensky, investigative mediation into the causes of the conflict).

Chadwick also made it clear that she could not, and would not, act on any requests/demands herself, reinforcing the common impression that it is Mary Frances Berry and the Pacifica national board executive committee who make all decisions for the organization.

She further stated that even if she had known all the negative consequences of her and Pacifica's actions over the past few weeks, she and Pacifica would not have acted differently than they have.

A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN TO US CONCERNING CHADWICK'S STATEMENTS THAT SHE WANTS DISCUSSION AND MEDIATION. Please note that as a result of this meeting, it seems that there is NO POINT in dialoguing with someone who maintains (and has frequently shown) that she is merely implementing the will of others, and who is obviously engaged in a p.r. campaign, trying to seem "open to discussion" while having nothing to discuss!

What You Can Do - All Across the Country

2. WE ARE THEREFORE ASKING YOU TO CONTACT SELECTED NATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS - AGAIN, IF YOU ALREADY HAVE - AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

THIS IS NOT A "LOCAL" CONFLICT between KPFA and Pacifica!

We estimate - conservatively - that Pacifica's arbitrary actions have cost the foundation over $500,000 already. Close to a thousand people have written to us saying they will no longer donate, are withdrawing pledges, canceling wills and bequests etc. (Note that we have specifically NOT asked for such action at this time.) This is going to cause major financial problems for all of Pacifica, ESPECIALLY since KPFA traditionally provides funds for stations like WPFW and KPFT that sometimes fail to make their financial goals.

KPFA's $2.3 million budget is about a fourth of Pacifica's total budget. A drastic shortfall in fundraising capacity - which is a certain outcome unless Pacifica reverses itself quickly - will impact ALL Pacifica stations and operations.

The national impact on Pacifica's reputation has been highly negative. Our 50-year anniversary celebration was completely ruined by Pacifica's actions. Once again, our accomplishments are overshadowed by a negative impression of Pacifica as a quarrelsome, dysfunctional organization.

THIS IMPRESSION WILL GET WORSE AS MORE NATIONAL MEDIA COVER THE SITUATION. FOR EXAMPLE, A MAJOR PBS FILM, WHICH WAS TO HAVE BEEN BROADCAST ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, IS NOW BEING RE-EDITED TO INCLUDE RECENT EVENTS.

Because so much time and energy have had to be spent fighting Pacifica's arbitrary dismissal of Nicole Sawaya and subsequent events, PACIFICA HAS NOT BEEN DOING THE JOB FOR WHICH IT WAS CREATED.

In a time of war and militarism, we have done NO special programs about the Yugoslavia situation. No live rally broadcasts, no special nationwide debate/discussions, no live Congressional hearings broadcast from Washington with phone-ins, NOTHING! As thousands rally for Mumia Abu-Jamal, we were unable to get a national live broadcast together.

Similarly with the tragedy in Colorado: with the firing of Larry Bensky and the cancellation of Pacifica's only nationwide talk show, we were unable to provide listeners to our stations - and Pacifica affiliates who pick up our coverage in times of crisis - with a way to conduct a nationwide dialogue. And no special programming is planned for Earth Day or other upcoming events.

 PACIFICA IS CURRENTLY PARALYZED AS A NATIONAL, PROGRESSIVE VOICE BY THE ACTIONS OF ITS LEADERSHIP.

With these points as background, we urge you to write to the following national board members who have so far NOT understood the seriousness of the crisis!

PLEASE WRITE OR PHONE AGAIN EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN! (and send us copies of your communications - or write to us if you have been able to have discussions on the phone - we'll share the results with this list).

Ken Ford
kford@nahb.com
<mailto:kford@nahb.com>
(202) 822-0228

William Lucey (note: he works for AFSCME - union members especially may
want to contact him!) wlucy@igc.apc.org <mailto:wlucy@igc.apc.org> (202)
429-1200

Frank Millspaugh
fmillspa@aol.com
<mailto:fmillspa@aol.com>
(212) 741-0839

Michael Palmer
mpalmer@cbrichardellis.com
<mailto:mpalmer@cbrichardellis.com>
(713) 840-6646

David Acosta
cpadga@aol.com
<mailto:cpadga@aol.com>
(713) 926-4604

June Makela
junemakela@aol.com
<mailto:junemakela@aol.com>
(212) 673-9225

AND ESPECIALLY SEND COPIES OF ALL YOUR LETTERS AND CALL

Dr. Mary Frances Berry
mfberry@sas.upenn.edu
<mailto:mfberry@sas.upenn.edu>
 (202) 337-0382

3. DAILY PICKETING BEGINS IN BERKELEY - MONDAY 4/26/99

A listener group outraged at Pacifica’s actions and unresponsiveness has announced that picketing of Pacifica's offices will begin Monday, April 26, and continue till the conflict is resolved and KPFA staff and listener demands are fulfilled. For information about picket shifts, please write to bp@thinkingallowed.com We especially invite community groups, schools, neighborhood organizations, families etc. to sign up for picketing shifts, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

You are encouraged to bring signs and banners.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A MILITANT, NON-VIOLENT activity, aimed at demonstrating once again to Pacifica that we are angry at their actions and want to be seen and heard! We want to make a strong statement but we insist on respectful, non-violent behavior to people and property!