Flashpoints Radio Aug 22: Democracy Now!: secret tape of Clayton Riley and Amy G

FLASHPOINTS RADIO
produced by Dennis Bernstein

Archive of recent shows at flashpoints.net

Wednesday Aug 22, 2001 - Start Audio
-00:00 Dennis Bernstein: Attacks on Democracy Now! reached a high pitch last weekend, Amy attacked on air. Amy and crew suspended w/o pay.. w co-host, Laura Flanders (link2) (link3) (link4) of Radio For Change and author of Real Majority, Media Minority.. Laura: I was made to feel bad when i worked at WBAI for caring about my work.. Dan Coughlin walked into a lions\' den.. now w Dan Coughlin: about the status of Democracy Now!.. Amy had to learn about < being suspended through an item in the Washington Post.. what has been happening at WBAI.. Amy called a racist, a bitch, a saboteur on air. The best and brightest being driven out one by one: Laura Flanders, Amy, Robert Knight, Juan Gonzales, Bernard White, more.. AFTRA, the WBAI labor union, has a conflict of interest with Pacifica (gives details), in league with management.. for instance the Pacifica reporters on strike, now with Free Speech Radio News, have to fight AFTRA too
-12:50 Dennis w Robert Knight: this is the most difficult report for me to make.. physical assaults.. Utrice Leid laid hands on Amy, took her camera last week.. Robert: And on Feb 6, 2001 I suffered an assault at WBAI.. Clayton Riley physically accosted and menaced me.. (more details)
-17:00 Robert reads from a unreal Bessie Wash letter to the editor published in today\'s Village Voice.. Bessie writes: \"The fact is, many employees and volunteers fear for their safety as a result of the climate of intimidation that has been fostered by the dissidents. We must ensure the safety of our employees.\".. [please write or email the editor of the village voice an *informative response*]
-20:00 now Robert plays a secret tape of Clayton Riley saying Robert \"was a slave for kissing that white bitch\'s ass\" and Amy demanding an apology.. (Clayton ends up screaming at Amy and Robert)
-24:20 Laura: Did I hear Clayton saying to Amy \"You can die right here in this room?\" Robert: No, he said we could all die.. Laura: listening to this says volumes.. the effect is chilling.. Amy and Robert are small in stature, Clayton is not.. Dan: that\'s an amazing piece of tape.. also note that at the time there were paramilitary guards in the studio, answerable only to the station manager Utrice Leid.. Robert: (gives details about the security personnel).. Dan: the invective now is on air.. Clayton Riley this weekend said on air: \"the enemy (the reporters, producers, and supporters of free speech radio) must be identified, must be hunted down, must be destroyed, unequivocally\" .. Gee..
-31:00 Dennis: interview w Juan Gonzales: WBAI not negotiating in good faith.. a coup within a coup.. Bessie and Utrice putting Pacifica on a collision course, driving the entire network into an abyss.. attempting to buy time, while they create a new reality on the ground.. i am astounded that a union like AFTRA would do nothing..
-36:10 Dennis: interview w Amy Goodman: I\'m in a safe studio.. We should not be penalized.. no one should be forced to remain in an abusive situation.. Dennis: what about the threat to have tech producer Anthony Sloan\'s legs broken? (Amy relates the incident..) Amy: surreal the kind of workplace we experience.. no reponse from management.. Laura: having a off-site studio is ok for men at WBAI, not for you Amy? Amy: We think we have found a sane solution in a difficult situation.. Westhill Partners called the New York Daily News 24 hours before we were informed (about the suspension). Dennis: Democracy Now! now only on KPFA.. Juan Gonzales: We are approaching the final battle.. we have an opportunity to end this madness.. they only have a one vote majority.. I urge all the listeners of KPFA, please continue the pressure on the Pacifica board.. add AFTRA to your list to telephone: you can call the executive director of AFTRA Greg Hessinger at 212-532-0800,or fax him at 212-532-2242, or email him [link also emails to AFTRA national and AFTRA NY]. . Tell him that Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now! staff should not be forced to report to a job site where they are physically attacked by supervisors and where staff members go on the air to urge their physical destruction.. Juan: "a reactionary always yells the loudest, right before they surrender".. we should redouble our efforts.. note: we are preparing a \"September Surprise\" for Pacifica!
-48:30 Laura: they are stealing our network from us.. check out SavePacifica.net.. if you can\'t get to a demonstration, please make a contribution.. AMY NEEDS HELP Dennis: Dave Burston gave an affidavit today in support of Amy.. Dave a producer at WBAI: (his account, lots of F words about Amy)
-51:20 Dennis: w Norm Stockwell, from a Pacifica affiliate, WORT, in Madison, Wisconsin, cancelled payments to Pacifica.. listeners like the show, want a live daily show.. a great loss.. Laura: find me at LauraFlanders.com also go to savepacifica.net, other options: call the Pacifica Campaign at 800-797-6229 or see: Juan Gonzales Alert 8/22; or WBAI in exile; or radio4all.org
-55:00 End today\'s show.. today\'s review by john lionheart