Presenters: Hannah Sassaman, Siyade Gemechisa, and Dory Graham
For decades, civil rights groups, youth organizations, neighborhood collectives, schools, churches, and more have fought for their own radio stations. It was a grassroots movement that forced the FCC to establish low power FM radio -- 100-watt, community powered stations that puts local music, local news, local debates, and local voices on the airwaves of our cities and towns. However, Congressmembers decided to limit the service when big broadcasters said that low power FM stations would make the FM dial unlistenable with interference -- especially in big cities like Minneapolis or Chicago.
The charge to limit LPFM to towns like Opelousas, Louisiana instead of New Orleans -- to Temperance, Michigan instead of Detroit -- was led by Congressman John Dingell. Mr. Dingell represents Ann Arbor, the suburbs of Detroit, and a large swath of Southeast Michigan -- but does he represent you?
The FCC proved that there is plenty of room for LPFM, and Republicans and Democrats alike have fought in the Senate to expand low power FM radio. This year is the year we'll go further than ever before in winning low power FM radio -- but we need you to speak out today.
We will gather at the AMC to plan a district visit to Mr. Dingell's office on June 25th. We'll meet with the Congressman or his senior staff, and make sure that he knows that now is the time to expand community radio to the communities who need it most.
Join organizers from Prometheus Radio Project to talk not just about this visit but about the national strategy to expand low power FM radio. With two bills ready to be launched in the House and Senate, and a national coalition ready to spread the word to thousands of radio hopefuls, we need you to be ready to fight for local radio in every city in the nation!
