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May 28 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Colorado Springs Trumpets for Freedom of Speech on Airwaves
Local Radio Stations Receive the Picket Line from Freedom Fighters
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - May 29, 2003 - Just weeks ago the Springs Action Alliance (SAA), sprang up and decried one local radio station's actions against free speech. The group now raises the stakes this week by picketing three local radio stations to protest pending FCC rulings which would make it easier for large conglomerates to own and control all local media. SAA launches this latest campaign to protect freedom of the press and speech along with the Pike's Peak Justice and Peace Commission. The two groups are picketing Colorado Springs' Clear Channel radio stations, KKLI, KMOM, and KVUU. The protest is part of a nationwide series of boycotts led by MoveOn, Code Pink, and United for Justice and Peace. On June 2, the FCC plans to authorize sweeping changes to the American news media that will allow local TV stations, newspapers, radio stations, and cable providers to all be owned by one company. "America has struggled long and hard against monopolies," says SAA organizer, Criz Stoddard, "We stand in a time honored tradition of not letting the big guys dictate to the rest of us. Clear Channel already uses its monolpoly status to influence public opinion on issues . When one company owns the whole enchilada, no one gets to choose whether you get red or green sauce on it." The local media protests will not include the Clear Channel country music station station, KCCY. KCCY continued playing the Dixie Chicks on-air despite that their parent company dropped the Chicks from its member stations' rotation due to the comments the Chick's lead singer made regarding the President in January. About Springs Action Alliance: The Springs Action Alliance was officially founded by former members of the Southern Colorado Coalition Against the War in Iraq (SCCAWI). SAA's membership has a long history of populist activism toward the greater common good. SAA's focus is to end the US occupation of Iraq, prevent other "preemptive wars" by the current administration, and to also address civil rights issues such as the validity of Patriot Acts I & II. SAA's website is located at http://www.csaction.org. |