Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

Around 11am, Wednesday, October 15, 2003, SF Liberation Radio was raided by upwards of 25 FCC agents, Federal Marshalls and the SFPD. They brought a warrant and entered the station, housed in a basement, through a second story aparment, "with battering rams and prybars," according to an eyewitness account of the raid. The micropower radio station has been broadcasting in SF since 1993. No arrests were made, but the station's equipment and antenna were seized.

The staff, comprised of local activists, journalists, writers, and others who care about freedom and social justice, is dedicated to giving their audience a politically progressive point of view. Their focus is on issues like police brutality, environmental degradation, political prisoners and prisoners' rights, media censorship, animal rights, homelessness, equality and economic justice, and attacks on women and women's right to choice.

On July 2, 2003, two FCC agents came to the station. DJ Carmen La Salle refused to let them in to inspect the equipment. They informed her that refusal would result in a $7,000 fine, and a $10,000 fine for broadcasting without a license. They hand-delivered a "notice of unlicensed radio operation." The station was given until July 20 to present a "proof of a license or authority to operate this radio station."

On August 18, 2003, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support SF Liberation Radio. The eight Supervisors present voted 'aye' to not only support SFLR in its history and endeavour but also to condemn the FCC and Congress’ attempts to further deregulate the corporate media.

WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT COMING AFTER THEM NOW, WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN BROADCASTING WITHOUT A LICENSE FOR TEN YEARS? GET THE WORD OUT, DO NOT LET THE US GOVERNMENT SILENCE VOICES OF DISSENT!