FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, March 25, 2001
(202) 588-0999 ext 352

Protesters Attack Pacifica Foundation Employees

WASHINGTON, DC - March 25, 2001: The bitter campaign of misinformation against the Pacifica Foundation which is being waged by a small group of dissidents who are attempting to unseat Pacifica's National Governing Board of Directors has once again been marred by physical attacks against Pacifica employees. In an incident on Friday night at KPFT radio station in Houston, Texas, a female employee along with KPFT's General Manager were physically assaulted by a protester as they greeted guests during an event at the station. Charges have been filed against protester Edwin Johnston, a supporter of the "Pacifica Campaign", an anti-Pacifica effort aimed at recruiting Pacifica listeners to not make contributions to Pacifica. The attack occurred while other protesters looked on.

This incident in Houston followed another attack two weeks ago when the female General Manager of WBAI in New York was physically attacked by a supporter of the "Pacifica Campaign" during a live interview with a Member of Congress. The point of the attack was to deny her access to the airwaves so that WBAI's listeners would not hear a different point of view.

The so-called "Pacifica Campaign" is led by former Democracy Now! co-host Juan Gonzalez. This campaign was formed to divert money from the Pacifica stations in order to undermine the Pacifica Foundation National Governing Board thereby jeopardizing the station licenses now held by Pacifica on behalf of its listeners who believe in free speech and alternative programming. This campaign is an anti-Pacifica effort aimed at both reducing donor contributions and aggressively intimidating National Governing Board members to resign by sending them harassing communications, picketing outside their homes and workplaces and subjecting them to a host of improper and unfounded personal and professional attacks.

The Pacifica Foundation supports constructive free speech, but it will not tolerate verbal or physical assaults, threats, improper intimidation tactics, taunting, or written propaganda with racist statements or slurs directed at any of its employees, National Board members or other volunteers or representatives. The Foundation will actively seek restraining orders and will press charges against any individual or groups that participate in violent and criminal activities aimed at or impacting Pacifica staff or representatives, National Governing Board members, volunteers or the asset interests of the Foundation.

Pacifica Executive Director, Bessie M. Wash and National Board Chairman, David Acosta have condemned this attack and the escalation of the anti-Pacifica campaign and will be issuing statements this week on this situation.