Station silenced

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Oct 1 2004
By KATHERINE MORRIS OF THE REGISTER-PAJARONIAN

U.S. Marshals and FCC raid Free Radio Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ - Armed with a battering ram and three search warrants, U.S. Marshals and Federal Communication Commission agents - some with weapons drawn - Wednesday raided a local pirate radio station that's been on the air for nearly a decade.

As nearly 20 agents confiscated box-loads of equipment, including the station's antenna, which they plucked from the rooftop of the Laurel Street residence Free Radio Santa Cruz had called home for the last six months, swarms of angry protestors taunted and jeered officials, chanting, "Shame! Shame!"

Other equipment taken included computers, mixing boards, record players and CD players. A representative of the station estimated the total worth of the equipment taken at $5,000 to $10,000.

One official who briefly addressed the raucous crowd said the station was being shut down because it was operating illegally, without a license from the FCC as mandated by federal laws.

"This is a civil action today, not a criminal action against the people; search warrants were served, but no one is being arrested," Supervisor Deputy Cheryl Koel of the U.S. Marshal's San Francisco office said. "We've seized equipment and taken their antenna. This is not the U.S. Marshal's operation, but rather the FCC's. We're a law enforcement agency that is here to assist them today. People have the right to go to court and file an appeal of the decision."

Koel directed further inquiries to an FCC spokesperson in Washington, D.C., who did not return phone calls, and an official with the U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco, who declined comment.

Although Free Radio Santa Cruz 101.1 FM staff and supporters had little or no warning about the 9 a.m. raid, it took them less than two hours to mobilize nearly 70 protestors in front of the Zami House co-op at 708 Laurel St., where the incident took place.

"I got a call about 10 a.m. saying that federal agents had stormed the house with warrants and weapons drawn, rounding up people and taking equipment," said a station programmer, who identified himself as Augusto Cesar Sandino Segundo. "We've received many cease-and-desist orders over the years, but we've never had agents come in and shut us down like this."

According to the station's Web site, Free Radio Santa Cruz - or Freak Radio Santa Cruz, as some call it - has been operating without a license for nearly 10 years "in defiance of federal regulations."

"The FCC is charged with regulating the airwaves in the public interest," it continues. "We believe that it has failed to do so and has proved itself to be controlled by monied interests."

The station was known for its unique programming lineup, which included KPFA's "Flashpoints" and "Democracy Now," as well as a host of unusual music and local shows on politics, activism, women's issues and homeless rights, to name a few.

Tensions ran high between protestors and federal agents, who at points broke into pushing and shoving matches that spilled out into traffic on Laurel Street. Three tires were slashed on two different federal agent vehicles, delaying the transport of the confiscated equipment.

The incident created quite a commotion. Many motorists slowed and honked to show support for the station. The Santa Cruz Police Department responded to assist with traffic and crowd control.

At one point, Santa Cruz Mayor Scott Kennedy showed up to express the city's support of the station.

"If we are asked to support them, I'm sure that the City Council will," Kennedy said. "It's not my job to interfere here today, but if (the station) asks for our assistance, we'll help them - join them in their efforts. ... It's particularly important to me that, in times of war, we protect and preserve our constitutionally guaranteed rights of free speech."

Most protestors were reluctant to give their real names.

"I'm just a fan," said one man waiving a sign along Laurel Street who said he was a University of California, Santa Cruz student. "I've been listening to the station since I first moved here over a year ago. They broadcast stuff you never hear on the regular radio airwaves. It's truly free speech, and it's great!"

Others stressed that Free Radio Santa Cruz was the true voice for the community.

"It's a local station, sponsored by local people," said a woman who called herself Space Ghost. "They really provide a community service by providing news and information that you just can't find anywhere else."

Even as the federal agents pulled away with truckloads of the station's equipment in their possession, several station programmers vowed that it was just a matter of time before they were back on the air. One estimated broadcasting would commence within 24 hours.

"The only real crime that's been committed here is what the FCC and U.S. Marshals have done today - by shutting us down," said one programmer who called himself Vinnie.