RE: Hoby's question re official absolvement from City or County of SC--federal law overrides city or county law; therefore, unfortunately, no. As with any matter beyond their jurisdictions--War in Iraq, for instance, local government can only make formal advisory statments and urge and lobby for action; they cannot take direct action or make direct enforcement decisions on state or federal law.

FYI--Dunno what if anything the county has ever done in a show of support, but on September 3, 2003 a resolution was adopted by the city council, brought forward by then Vice Mayor Scott Kennedy and Councilmember Mark Primack in support of FRSC after being approached by citizens because on August 28, 2003 agents from the Federal Communications Commission posted a notice at the site of Free Radio Santa Cruz FM 96.3 (FRSC) indicating that the station has ten days to produce a license to operate. Below is the minutes excerpt from that meeting (staff reports and minutes easily available from city's web page by doing a minutes search for "Free Radio Santa Cruz"):

"Councilmember Rotkin moved, seconded by Mayor Reilly, to direct the Mayor to communicate to the FCC, the President and our federal representatives our adamant opposition to suppression of Free Radio Santa Cruz 96.3 FM; and adopt a resolution supporting Free Radio Santa Cruz 96.3 FM and urging Federal, State and local officials to support policies and practices that encourage diverse local non-commercial media. The motion carried unanimously."

I also saw the mayor on the news, interviewed at the site of the raid, decrying the use of vital tax dollars being used to send so many federal agents to raid one small radio station. Succinct, on-target sound bite, I thought.

So, while the city has not only shown its support of FRSC but that of non-commercial media in general as well, it is on the federal level you would need to turn if you wished to gain protection or change the law.

Comments re: just get a licence may have a place; I don't know if it is that simple; I don't know enough to know. Seems if it were that simple, microstations would not be such an issue...again, dunno 'bout that...just thought I'd offer what I *did* know.

I must admit I cannot help but wonder if a microstation in Peoria, rather than Santa Cruz (a city nationally known for liberal political leanings) that broadcast less controversial content would gain such attention and action...but, again, I'll stick to offering information of which I am actually aware, which is why I offer the above. :)