"We are talking here about the European psychological warfare against Africans, that is what the whole thing is all about. I need you stalwart soldiers out there, pick up the phone and make your call. Put an end to white supremacy thinking. This is a call to arms…I told you it was a war."

Dec 13: Pacifica Exec Dir. Wash fires WBAI Station Manager Valerie VanIsler installing talk show host Utrice Leid as Interim General Manage

Dec. 22: At 10:30 p.m., Wash & Leid carry out "Christmas coup" at WBAI, firing changing station locks. Leid goes on air at 1:00 a.m. to say, "This is not a coup" and promises no program changes.

Jan. 4: Citing alleged but unproven security threat, Leid bars the WBAI LAB from continuing to hold open meetings at the station. Later, Leid issues memo barring any producer from on-air discussion of station business, or even facilitating such discussion by others. Violators subject to immediate dismissal.

Feb: Leid lowers goal of winter fund drive from $1 million to $800,000, and extends drive from two to three weeks in desperate effort to reach goal. Insiders report one-third of listener pledges are conditional on reinstating the fired and banned.

March 9: Mario Murillo resigns as morning show cohost rather than submit to management order to deny airtime to cohost Amy Goodman. Four days later, Amy Goodman is fired as cohost of morning program.Earlier, Robert Knight, another PNB critic, was removed as morning news anchor. Leid interrupts a broadcast with US Congressman Major Owens, claiming "lies are being told". She fires the show host and pulls WBAI off the air. Days later, Leid claims she was attacked by the host, despite the fact that the entire episode was broadcasted live for all to hear.

March 28-31: Leid removes two more BAI programmers, Al "Granpa Munster" Lewis and Deepa Fernandes, claiming they violated the gag rule. Over 17 dissident or progressive WBAI staff members are eventually removed. Leid preempts Democracy Now! for an entire month of fundraising and takes to the airwaves to claim the station is under attack from white supremacists.

June 18-23: Leid again preempts WBAI programming for an entire week to push her agenda and rail against the listeners.

Like at KPFT in Houston the battle to restore democratic principles and the right to free speech has not yet been won at WBAI.

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