Late Saturday night Pacifica's National Progam Director Steve Yasko announced his resignation on an electronic message board that has been widely used by free speech advocates.
The electronic resignation was authenticated by way of e-mail exchange between Yasko and goodlight.net moderator Frank Fitzgerald.
In his resignation statement, Yasko played the "gay card", and claimed that the reason for his resignation was that he had been tormented since he was recently outed as a gay man.
His resignation has been called for by both gay and straight individuals within the free speech movement for his gross mismanagement and his relentless harrassment of Amy Goodman.
Yasko's statement follows:
http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=137196&article=56469
Stephen Yasko
None
Sat Sep 8 10:44:56 2001
Given the unrelenting, homophobic smear campaign that has taken place in this forum, I am announcing my resignation here so the news will spread fast and you all can go on to your next activity.
Effective September 15, 2001, I will no longer be the National Program Director of Pacifica. Before you all gloat too much, I did not make this choice because of your attacks on me. I made this decision because Pacifica cannot move forward until it is free from persecution. This persecution is executed by people who say they are champions of free speech and tolerance, but use the tactics of hate and bigotry to achieve their ends. I don’t know what drives you, but I choose not to be a part of it. Unfortunately, that choice means I must also not be part of an organization that has the potential to change the political discourse in this country.