In this Presidential election year, huge issues face the United States: wars in the Middle East and saber-rattling with Iran; the danger of environmental collapse; and the economy in recession with no end in sight… Yet on many of the most important issues facing us, only modest differences exist between the two major parties.

However, over the weekend of July 13th, the Green Party will chart a different course at its annual convention in Chicago. Hosted by Davey D from KPFA’s Hard Knock Radio and produced by KPFK’s Christine Blosdale, Pacifica Radio will be on site to bring you live coverage on Sunday, July 13th. We’ll air speeches, stories and sounds from the Green Party convention, as well as terrific live interviews and analysis of the Greens in the current political landscape.

Live Broadcast of a Same-Sex Wedding in California 

From KPFK/ Pacifica Radio, “Celebrating Marriage Equality” will make history as one of the first live broadcasts of a legally recognized same-sex wedding in California.

In mid-May, the California Supreme Court ruled that people have a fundamental right to marry the person of their choice. On Friday, June 20th, Pacifica will broadcast the wedding of Linda Martinez and her partner Regina Rodriguez, as well as discussion with the happy couple, their minister, friends, and family.

The broadcast will also features discussion and analysis with Los Angeles-area LGBT activists about the implciations of the Court decision and the looming November referendum that would constitutionally ban same-sex marriages in the state if passed.

Hosted by Sonali Kolhatkar of KPFK’s morning show “Uprising, the broadcast will air live on KPFK and other stations next Friday, June 20th, 11am-12n EDT / 8-9am PDT.

From WBAI/Pacifica Radio, RADIO BLOOMSDAY is an intimate radio program featuring readings of James Joyce’s Ulysses plus selections from Joyce’s entire canon, performed by leading actors. Bloomsday is celebrated every year on June 16, the day Ulysses takes place.

WBAI will air a nine-hour Radio Bloomsday special, beginning at 7pm on Monday, June 16th. The first three hours - all FCC-clean - will be distributed live to the Pacifica network via satellite. Later hours will be posted on the web on Tuesday.

In 1948, most Palestinians living in the newly declared state of Israel became refugees, and millions of Palestinians remain refugees around the world today. This May 15th will mark 60 years of dispossession - the 60-year anniversary of the “Nakba”, Arabic for “catastrophe.”

Pacifica radio will mark the occasion with a one-hour downloadable broadcast (which will be included in an 18 hour international broadcast -- details below). In the hour, Coordinating Producer Ryme Katkhouda is bringing together Pacifica producers, as well as voices on the ground in Palestine and the surrounding region, to present a “Sankofa” - looking back so we can move forward.

May 15th Special continues Pacifica's coverage of returning veterans' issues

KPFA/ Pacifica Radio will provide coverage of “Winter Soldier on the Hill,” live from Washington D.C. on May 15th, 9am-1pm EDT.

Join hosts Aaron Glantz and Aimee Allison as they bring you this important and historic follow up to “Winter Soldier” and “Crisis in Veterans’ Healthcare.”

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) present “Winter Soldier on the Hill.” Nine members of IVAW will testify under oath before the CPC about rules of engagement, the killing and abuse of civilians, the use of drop weapons, and the true consequences of the “surge.”

KPFA/ Pacifica to Highlight Groundbreaking Class Action Suit by US Veterans against the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(Berkeley, CA – April 18, 2008) The first class action lawsuit brought by Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans against the Department of Veterans Affairs will open next week in San Francisco. US veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are alleging a systemic crisis in the way the government treats injured US soldiers, in the case of Veterans for Common Sense et al vs. Peake.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, KPFA/Pacifica Radio will broadcast a three-hour live national special delving into the crisis in the VA health care system. The special broadcast will include live updates from the San Francisco Federal Courthouse, interviews with veterans' attorney Gordon Erspamer, advocates from Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans for America, as well as interviews with veterans and their families, including Joyce and Kevin Lucey who are suing the VA claiming their son Jeffrey committed suicide after being turned away from the VA.

Pacifica Radio to Broadcast Event in Full

From March 14th to 16th, Pacifica Radio will broadcast the historic Winter Soldier Iraq hearings in Washington, DC, perhaps the most important anti-war event in the United States in decades. More than 200 U.S. military veterans and active-duty troops from Iraq and Afghanistan will testify about the atrocities committed by U.S. occupation forces - war crimes they have witnessed and, in some cases, participated in.

"I am pleased to advise you that Nicole Sawaya has accepted the offer of the Pacifica National Board to return as Pacifica’s Executive Director. She will resume her duties as of March 5, 2008, and will attend the Houston meeting next week.

"I want to thank you all for your cooperation with me and for your enthusiasm and commitment to Pacifica. I look forward to working with you in the future and to the growth and success of our network."

Sawaya began as Executive Director in mid-November, but stepped down from the position for three months. She was reported to be in negotiations with the Pacifica National Board during that time.

After Sawaya resumes her ED duties, Siegel will return to serving as Pacifica's legal counsel.

PACIFICA FOUNDATION HIRES MANAGER
FOR NEW YORK RADIO STATION
WBAI/Pacifica 99.5 FM Welcomes
New Manager Anthony Riddle

NEW YORK, New York, February 6 — On Saturday January 26th, Dan Siegel, interim Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation, announced that Anthony Riddle was hired by the foundation as station manager for WBAI-FM, Pacifica's radio station in New York City.

"We're very happy to have Anthony with us. He has a great history in media, civil rights advocacy, and building organizations. We are very confident that he's going to provide long term leadership to this station and make WBAI again a crown jewel of the Pacifica Network," noted Siegel. Anthony Riddle replaces Interim station manager Robert Scott Adams, who will stay on for a few weeks to assist in the transition.

ELECTION UNSPUN
New Multi-Media Website Provides Critical News and Information for Voters

(February 5, 2008) - Community radio networks Pacifica Radio and Free Speech Radio News have introduced ElectionUnspun.org, a new multi-media website to promote election literacy during the 2008 elections. "Election Unspun is full of compelling and uncomplicated information to help citizens unravel the double-speak of political candidates and media pundits,” said Nathan Moore, Pacifica Radio's National Program Coordinator.

The website features new audio and video productions and blogs that are updated daily, accompanied by supplemental text and background information. Links to other informative elections websites are provided. Daily audio newscasts showcased at the top of the website’s home page include headlines, news features, and interviews. They are also being aired on many grassroots radio stations throughout the US in a newscast also called Election Unspun.