GRASSROOTS TO SAVE KLSD RADIO IN SAN DIEGO

Last Thursday, a rumor was heard that KLSD 1360, the only progressive, talk radio staion would be flipped to a sports format in the very near future. San Diego already has 2 sports stations, 4 very conservative stations, and a couple of Christain stations.

Clear Channel owns KLSD. Clear Channel has already flipped several progressive cities in the last couple of years. Only 2 cities, Phoenix and Madison have saved their stations. We are determined to save our station.

I posted the rumor early in the morning on Thursday and by afternoon we had hundreds of volunteers. We started a yahoo group and had a web page. We were assisted by Aldous from www.nonstopradio.com The stations manager received 1,000 emails and letters. Scores of people were out putting flyers everywhere! We had a planning meeting at the station Saturday morning and 40 people showed up just for that. Logistics were put in place to accommodate the crowd we expected to show up on Monday.

Sunday, small groups spent the day making signs and banners. Flyers continued to be passed out and posted. This was the most cooperative effort I have ever seen. A huge and passionate mobilization was occurring and growing by the hour.

I arrived at 5:45 and there were already a few people who had set up shop! The station set up a canopy and live feed for the morning show to be broadcast live at the rally. Again this event was conceived and implemented in just 4 days.

Local personality, radio host and owner of campcasey, Bree Walker was there early, having driven down from LA. City attorney Mike Aguierre spoke. Marge Cohn, Law Professor, author and NLG President gave a stirring speech. Air American host Jon Elliott and his lovely wife Kathy, mingled with the crowd for hours. There were listeners who came from Az, LA and Orange county. The station manager spoke at length about the financial woes of the station. (bearing in mind that 2/3 of San Diego county cannot even hear KLSD because the signal is so weak)

In the end, the crowd was around 500 people. Others, who could not miss work or brave the horrible traffic, drove by and honked to show their support. No decisions have been made according the the management. We must wait and see. A license has been issued on Aug 8 for AM 1360 Sports radio.

Like a chess game, we are waiting for the next move. We continue to plan and organize.