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Seattle IMC Planning To Close Up Shop

Yes, it's true. The Seattle Independent Media Center,

the grandmother of the 100 or so IMC's around the

globe

is so in debt that they are about to default on their

lease in downtown Seattle and close up shop for good.

Currently they are three months behind in rent.

It's a shame and a tragedy. As a journalist who has

worked with the IMC since 2000, I am in shock.

The Seattle IMC has been a focus point for groups and

activists fighting for media democracy since the WTO

ministerial conference in 1999. They were the

headquarters for all of the activities surrounding the

recent National Association of Broadcasters conference

here, as well as the Reclaim The Media events during

FCC hearings in Seattle. The IMC has also been home to

the webcast station Radio X on the microradio.net

network.

Yes, the economy in Seattle has suffered greatly with

the dotcom bust and tens of thousands of Boeing

lay-offs. The city is in trouble and so is the

activist movement.

The global activist community needs to rally around

the Seattle IMC and show support for their hard work

over the last three years. They were right there in

the middle of the WTO demonstrations giving live

coverage to the events and they have remained on the

cutting edge of alternative journalism ever since,

covering hundreds of protests, conferences and local

issues. They have helped facilitate countless efforts

around the world to create free speech and freedom of

the press.

If there is anything that folks can

do to help this situation by letting people know

what's going on that would be great. We need some kind

of fundraising effort to save the space. The office on

Third Ave has been open to local journalists,

activists

and artists for years and it would be a shame to close

down the public computer terminals, media making

workshops, lectures, film series, volunteer training,

etc. that goes on there.

Any feedback would be most welcome.

Seattle IMC 206-262-2712

www.seattle.indymedia.org

Thanks,

Mark Taylor-Canfield