On May 7, 2001, the New York City Council's Civil Service and Labor Committee held a hearing on non-binding Resolution 1723, supporting democratic and legal management for WBAI. Introduced by Council Member Christine Quinn of Manhattan on February 7, 17 Council members have signed on as co-sponsors.

At the hearing, chaired by Council Member Lucy Cruz of the Bronx, a statement from Brooklyn Congressmember Major R. Owens was read. Those testifying in support of the resolution included, Pacifica National Board member Leslie Cagan, Local Advisory Board members Miguel Maldonado, Anthony MacKall, and Ray LaForest, fired and banned WBAI producers Bernard White, Mimi Rosenberg and Ken Nash, former producer Paul Mackisic, union and religious leaders, and members of Concerned Friends of WBAI.

Neither Interim Station Manager Utrice Leid nor Pacifica Foundation Executive Director Bessie Wash attended. Committee Counsel Carl Smith and Christine Quinn criticized Pacifica management for not being adequately represented and sending statements to be read by low-level staff members. Council Member Quinn also challenged Leid's contention that the City Council never contacted her about the situation at WBAI. Quinn introduced Resolution 1723 only after Leid's failure to respond to a letter requesting a meeting.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Concerned Friends of WBAI is asking Lucy Cruz and Speaker Peter Vallone to bring the resolution to a full floor vote. You can help by calling Vallone's office at 212-788-7210 and asking for a full vote on Resolution 1723. The following Council members have signed on in support: BRONX June Eisland, Pedro Espada and Joel Rivera BROOKLYN Stephen diBrienza, Mary Pinkett, Angel Rodriguez, Victor L. Robles and Priscilla A. Wooten MANHATTAN Ronnie M. Eldridge, Kathryn E. Freed, Guillermo Linares, Margarita Lopez, A. Gifford Miller and Bill Perkins QUEENS Karen Koslowitz, Helen Marshall and Sheldon S. Leffler If your Council member has already signed on, thank him/her; if not, urge their support for restoring democracy to WBAI. For the name and phone number of your Council member, call 212-788-7100.

Copies of the complete Resolution #1723 can be downloaded at www.wbaiaction.org or viewed at www.wbai.net/council_resolution.html.
For a printed copy of the Resolution or a list of speakers at the May 7 hearing, please call the Concerned Friends hotline at 1-800-825-0055.