-----Original Message-----
From: Biofeedback of Riverdale <biofeed@optonline.net>
To: Frank Brodhead <fbrodhead@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Oct 31, 2017 8:58 pm
Subject: URGENT URGENT WBAI FUNDRAISING APPEAL
Hi, Frank, can you get this out for the widest possible circulation?
WBAI needs to raise over $2 million in less than two weeks!
Thanks.
Julie
****
October 29, 2017
Dear member of the progressive community,
WBAI radio has been a beacon of progressive thought for over 56 years,
bringing to the airwaves of the tri-state New York metropolitan area the
voices of people in struggle and in action: the anti-war, women's
rights, antiracist,
economic justice, environmental and LGBT movements and the
culture, activism and excitement of those working to make the world a
better
place. And all without a corporate filter of any kind--an extremely
rare phenomenon in a media landscape controlled by commercial
interests... andneeded now more than ever in the age of Trump!
But WBAI is hanging by a thread. On October 4, 2017, a New York
Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of Empire State Realty Trust [ESRT]--
owner of the Empire State Building--and against WBAI/Pacifica Radio. The
judge granted ESRT's suit for a "summary judgment" mandating IMMEDIATE
payment of nearly $2.3 million in back rent and fees--or else the ESRT,
without further ado, would be entitled to lay claim to the assets of
WBAI/Pacifica!
Some background on the situation:
The ESRT was able to charge WBAI more than four times market rent for
years because after 9/11, with the World Trade Center Tower no longer
available for broadcasting, it had become a monopoly for transmitter
rental
space in New York City and could charge whatever it wanted. WBAI, as a
noncommercial
listener-supported station could not meet the escalating rent and
fell behind in payments. The ESRT then sued us, refusing all efforts to
negotiate in good faith.
We held a press conference in July. Elected officials, community
activists and
the public turned out to ask the ESRT to act responsibly and refrain
from
shutting down the only independent radio network in the country--but
corporate profit and power won out. WBAI/Pacifica is now facing a
possible
move against it within a few weeks, unless we can quickly raise the $2.3
million demanded. This could mean the end of our beloved iconic radio
station--a station so critical in today's world. So we must turn to you,
our
supporters and sister/fellow progressives for an all-hands-on-deck
emergency community response.
What you can do immediately!
WBAI has set up a special, tax-exempt, protected fund, overseen by
the prestigious law firm Mandel & Manpearl and that is earmarked only
for donations to satisfy this recent court judgment. If WBAI can pay the
judgment, we will be able to keep the doors open and the transmitter
broadcasting. And our critical "speaking truth to power" programming
will
remain on the air. Your generosity could make all the difference! And if
you
or someone you know can donate a substantial amount of money, now is the
time. Please share this urgent message widely.
Checks should be made payable to:
Gerald Manpearl, Attorney, Trust Account.
In the memo space, write:
For Empire State Building settlement or resolution.
Checks should be sent to:
Attention: Gerald Manpearl Trust Account
c/o Gerald Manpearl, Esq.
Mandel & Manpearl
120 Larkin Place
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(Reminder: This is a good time to make a tax-deductible donation to meet
the end-of-the- year requirement for tax deductions in 2018).
Thank you for your generosity in helping to keep WBAI, listener
supported
non-commercial radio on the air!
Sincerely,
William G. (Bill) Crosier
Interim Executive Director
Pacifica Foundation
1925 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley CA 94704-1037
510-316-9783
P.S. If you have any questions regarding your donation, please email
Bill
Crosier at ed@pacifica.org under the subject head "Donor Questions" and
your query will be answered.
From: Biofeedback of Riverdale <biofeed@optonline.net>
To: Frank Brodhead <fbrodhead@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Oct 31, 2017 8:58 pm
Subject: URGENT URGENT WBAI FUNDRAISING APPEAL
Hi, Frank, can you get this out for the widest possible circulation?
WBAI needs to raise over $2 million in less than two weeks!
Thanks.
Julie
****
October 29, 2017
Dear member of the progressive community,
WBAI radio has been a beacon of progressive thought for over 56 years,
bringing to the airwaves of the tri-state New York metropolitan area the
voices of people in struggle and in action: the anti-war, women's
rights, antiracist,
economic justice, environmental and LGBT movements and the
culture, activism and excitement of those working to make the world a
better
place. And all without a corporate filter of any kind--an extremely
rare phenomenon in a media landscape controlled by commercial
interests... andneeded now more than ever in the age of Trump!
But WBAI is hanging by a thread. On October 4, 2017, a New York
Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of Empire State Realty Trust [ESRT]--
owner of the Empire State Building--and against WBAI/Pacifica Radio. The
judge granted ESRT's suit for a "summary judgment" mandating IMMEDIATE
payment of nearly $2.3 million in back rent and fees--or else the ESRT,
without further ado, would be entitled to lay claim to the assets of
WBAI/Pacifica!
Some background on the situation:
The ESRT was able to charge WBAI more than four times market rent for
years because after 9/11, with the World Trade Center Tower no longer
available for broadcasting, it had become a monopoly for transmitter
rental
space in New York City and could charge whatever it wanted. WBAI, as a
noncommercial
listener-supported station could not meet the escalating rent and
fell behind in payments. The ESRT then sued us, refusing all efforts to
negotiate in good faith.
We held a press conference in July. Elected officials, community
activists and
the public turned out to ask the ESRT to act responsibly and refrain
from
shutting down the only independent radio network in the country--but
corporate profit and power won out. WBAI/Pacifica is now facing a
possible
move against it within a few weeks, unless we can quickly raise the $2.3
million demanded. This could mean the end of our beloved iconic radio
station--a station so critical in today's world. So we must turn to you,
our
supporters and sister/fellow progressives for an all-hands-on-deck
emergency community response.
What you can do immediately!
WBAI has set up a special, tax-exempt, protected fund, overseen by
the prestigious law firm Mandel & Manpearl and that is earmarked only
for donations to satisfy this recent court judgment. If WBAI can pay the
judgment, we will be able to keep the doors open and the transmitter
broadcasting. And our critical "speaking truth to power" programming
will
remain on the air. Your generosity could make all the difference! And if
you
or someone you know can donate a substantial amount of money, now is the
time. Please share this urgent message widely.
Checks should be made payable to:
Gerald Manpearl, Attorney, Trust Account.
In the memo space, write:
For Empire State Building settlement or resolution.
Checks should be sent to:
Attention: Gerald Manpearl Trust Account
c/o Gerald Manpearl, Esq.
Mandel & Manpearl
120 Larkin Place
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(Reminder: This is a good time to make a tax-deductible donation to meet
the end-of-the- year requirement for tax deductions in 2018).
Thank you for your generosity in helping to keep WBAI, listener
supported
non-commercial radio on the air!
Sincerely,
William G. (Bill) Crosier
Interim Executive Director
Pacifica Foundation
1925 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley CA 94704-1037
510-316-9783
P.S. If you have any questions regarding your donation, please email
Bill
Crosier at ed@pacifica.org under the subject head "Donor Questions" and
your query will be answered.
