Silent No More

Greetings WBAI Family, 

Our thoughts are with you and your friends and family, as well as with those everywhere who are working for change and struggling through to better days.

Here are a few updates about our station and life:

1. "Wake Up Call" Pushed Out Again

2. Protect Your ‘Hood: Census, Tax Liens, Local legislatures

3. Protect Your Station: Don't Sign, Ready to Vote, Townhall — Sat. 9/26

4. Protect Your Vote — Disfranchisement is a Real Thing

1. "Wake Up Call" Pushed Out Again

Errol Maitland began a new Friday version of "Wake Up Call" on August 21.
That day, the following Friday, and on September 11, he and a team that included Bernard White, Don DeBar, and, from Havana, Gabriela Sanchez of IFCO-Pastors for Peace, began to give listeners the kind of magazine-style morning show that we've been missing.

The vibe and vibrancy of a group and their repartee to jumpstart the day is a media staple because it works!

(To be clear, J&U appreciates King Downing's 6am "Good Morning Nueva York" and Johanna Fernandez's 7am "A New Day" heard Monday to Thursday. Those presentations are unique and we ask that you support them as they continue to support the people.)

Until at least Sept. 8, station management had not allowed simple donations in the name of the show. And the program got none of the website or newsletter promotion that other shows have been provided. And when "Wake Up Call" marked September 11 this year with a broadcast of the original 2001 reporting from Joyce Jones, Ryme Katkhouda, and Errol Maitland of WBIX / WBAI In Exile (We'd been locked out of the station in December 2000), many listeners were transported back to that very intense morning, but few could pledge because the premium Errol was offering could not be found when searching the donation website.

On Thurs., Sept. 17, after pre-recording much of the next day's program to avoid technical problems, Errol was sent a text message that the show was cancelled.

We have learned that at least part of the "problem" stems from Gary Null who has been criticizing BLM protestors and slamming Black athletes who've spoken out, and featuring such backwardness regarding COVID transmission that the broadcast could at times be mistaken for WABC radio.

Null had threatened to leave the station if Bernard White was allowed on air.

Gary Null has helped people transform their bodies and their lives, and some appreciate much of his work, but station management should not be controlled by the grudges of one programmer and by his friends on the local and national board (who Gary himself named on air) so as to fold to such a demand.

People in positions of power are not necessarily "leaders" and a title is no guarantee that they can serve our communities' needs. Too much and never enough stroking cannot be the mode of operation.

You can write to Berthold Reimers and Linda Perry Barr and share your note with us.

2. Protect Your 'Hood

1. Complete the census now, please! It ends in a week on Wed., Sept. 30!
   Some undocumented folks are reluctant to fill out the form, but there's no excuse for the rest of us to even hesitate. Our taxes need to come back to where we live in the form of parks, roads, schools, hospitals, government representatives, etc. As it is, your president's team has cut a month off the information collection process. ONLINE & general information: 2020census.gov. MAIL: Complete form sent to homes earlier this year.

   PHONE: English 1-844-330-2020, Spanish 1-844-468-2020, Haitian Kreyol 1-844-477-2020. Help is available in other languages.

2. NYC Tax Lien Payment plan deadline is Thurs., Sept. 24!

   When after a period of time, real estate taxes, water bills, and some other property-related fees are not paid, buildings and lots can be seized. The City says it does not sell the property, it only sells a lien for the amount that is owed. But since the non-profit that buys the liens adds other charges so that when you try to settle the debt, you owe much more than you did before the lien sale, and are at increased risk of foreclosure.

   The City offers payment agreements that usually require a down-payment and many months to pay off the balance. There are also lien exemptions for age, disability, and military service. You can learn more here:

You may know that some of the same communities victimized in the real estate swindles that crashed "the economy" in 2008 are being harassed into quick sales or are having their deeds stolen. Fraud and gentrification are rampant. Communities need education and protection.
You can seek help from the Center for NYC Neighborhoods through: HomeownerHelpNY.com  |  646-786-0888  |  info@cnycn.org

Shouldn't this lien sale be postponed until New York is out of its COVID-19 crisis?

3. Watch Those Who Govern

   Keep an eye on your Community Board, your City Council, your state legislatures and their committees:

3. Protect Your Station

1. Don't Sign the "New Day Pacifica" Petition!

   The posse that last Fall, barged in, changed locks, kicked out our staff, and took away our local programming to pipe-in stuff from elsewhere did not go very far. And although they forced the spending of $150,000 in election costs and legal defense and were soundly rejected by a 2-to-1 margin, they are back with a set of changes that isn't very new and reflects the same values as the bylaws you just rejected.

   So please do not sign the petition from "New Day Pacifica" and if you signed it,

These repeated referenda distract from and could derail Pacifica's work and push us into bankruptcy. They can only force another network-wide vote IF THEY GET ENOUGH signatures on their petition. Don't sign!

2. Keep Your Station Membership Current

   We don't know when they'll strike, but we know they're coming. Stay ready to vote by giving at least $25 every 12 months:

3. Pacifica Fightback Zoom Town Hall Meeting — Sat., Sept. 26, 7pm ET

   Come to the Town Hall meeting, by internet or phone, to learn what's happening around the Pacifica network and to strategize about GROWING PACIFICA. Those who would takedown WBAI also want to break up the network. We are stronger together! More information at PacificaFightback.org

   Hear and share ideas with Pacifica people in California, Texas, and Washington, D.C.:

   ZOOM ONLINE: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85140602700?pwd=L0ViRGFFTGU3NGlWTW1RQlN5dWtQQT09

   ZOOM PHONE

   One tap mobile

   +16465588656,,85140602700#,,,,,,0#,,922244# US (New York)

   +13017158592,,85140602700#,,,,,,0#,,922244# US (Tacoma)

   Dial by your location

   +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose), +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma), +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston), +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown), +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago), +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

   Meeting ID: 851 4060 2700 Passcode: 922244

4. Protect Your Vote

So, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are not your ideal team, but after 4 years of revelations of sustained corruption as reported by his cronies, increasing environmental devastation on the planet we inhabit, race-baiting and wolf-whistling, misogynistic practices that poison human relations, you probably are ready to kiss No. 45 goodbye.

If voting were meaningless, they wouldn't be trying so hard to block you.

Early voting, mail-in ballots, absentee ballots are all options to be considered.

Vote like it matters. And stay in the streets (with your masks on)!

Vote like Ahmaud Arbery, Rekia Boyd, George Floyd, Layleen Polanco, Daniel Prude, Aiyanna Stanley Jones, and Breonna Taylor matter.

In loving struggle,

Ralph Poynter
Sharonne Salaam