VOLUNTEERS LOCKED OUT OF CKLN WITHOUT EXPLANATION
CKLN Management calls the Police on Progressive Programmers

Last Friday, dismissed staff members Mike Phillips (interim station manager) and Tony Barnes (program director), who were democratically voted out by a majority of community and volunteer members of CKLN, decided to escalate the situation at CKLN.

Over the past week, programmers have been pulled off the air, some have been escorted out by security or Toronto cops, and some have been prevented from entering the station at all. This follows the issuing of letters to many long-time CKLN volunteers in good standing, by Mike and Tony, stating that their volunteer services were "no longer required".

When the hosts of Friday Word of Mouth, including OCAP Radio, as well as a group of volunteer and community member supporters, prepared to go on air last Friday, we found police officers already at CKLN. Before long, the station had filled up with 10+ cops telling us to leave. The radio program was cut by the management, and dead air filled the airwaves, before being replaced by music, while we were all made to leave the station.

The Ryerson Student's Union (RSU), present in the building at the time, was very supportive and explained to the cops that we had every right to be there. The cops unfortunately did not allow us into the station, but let us stay in the building. Mike Phillips, removed as station manager by our elections but refusing to give up his position, remained behind the police line.

We were also informed that an officer will remain on duty at CKLN. Mike has provided them with a list of people "allowed" into the station. CKLN is paying for the cop, costing at least $62.50 per hour. The station's money, including the money you have all donated, is being used to guard the station from its own volunteers, volunteers in good standing who have given countless hours, raised countless dollars, and who are committed to their programming in the interests of just, progressive community radio.

We are now facing a situation where people who have been organizing and speaking out in defense of progressive, democratic principles at CKLN are being forced - literally - off air. This is completely uncalled for, and a desperate attempt on the part of the self-appointed staff and board
members to consolidate their power, against the wishes of a vocal and strong majority of CKLN volunteer and community members who want to preserve the principles of progressive, socially conscious and transparent community radio.

The RSU will be looking into whether there is a way that they, as managers of the building, can prevent this. The newly elected board, that many of you voted for, is exploring legal action against the management that refuses to leave.

In the meantime, we ask that listeners contact Ryerson University, from which CKLN receives student fees and where the station is located:

Please email:

President of Ryerson University Sheldon Levy:
pres@ryerson.ca

Please copy Linda Grayson, VP Admin and Finance:
lgrayson@ryerson.ca

Let them know that you are community members of CKLN, who care about the station, its news programming, its dedication to airing voices that are otherwise not heard over the Toronto airwaves, and ask that Mike Phillips
and Tony Barnes be removed from CKLN, and that all volunteers be reinstated immediately.

Thanks for your support.

From the hosts of OCAP Radio and Anti-Psych Radio and Word of Mouth Programming.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VOLUNTEERS LOCKED OUT OF CKLN WITHOUT EXPLANATION
Dismissed Staff Members Disregarding Democratic Process

TORONTO, ON, May 8, 2008 --- At least a dozen CKLN volunteer programmers received letters from Mike Phillips this week, discharging them from the station.

"Please be advised that your volunteer services at CKLN Radio Inc are no longer required [sic] effective immediately," read the form letter. Phillips gave no explanation in the letter.

When longtime CKLN volunteer Verlia Stephens went to the studio Wednesday morning, she was escorted out by Ryerson security. Stephens hosts Limin' in De African Diaspora every Wednesday from 11 AM to 2 PM. Stephens says Tony Barnes responded, "It is complicated," when asked why security was booting her out and how the appeal process works. "The security guards were really uncomfortable because they knew I had every right to ask," says Stephens.

Barnes, the former interim program director, along with former interim station manager Phillips, and former board members Josie Miner, Doug Barrett and Heather Morgan were dismissed by a membership vote on February 23, 2008. Over 140 community, volunteer and student members attended the
emergency meeting in February. More than 90 per cent voted to dismiss the interim station manager and interim program director and impeach the non-student members of the board.

More recently, Morgan tendered her resignation. The other members in question, will not, however, recognize the vote. They refuse to step down from their positions. Phillips and Barnes continue to control CKLN radio station and its funds illegally.

Other volunteers who have received letters include: Omme Rahemtullah (Saturday Morning Live), David Barnard (Lowdown to Uptown), Sharron Mcleod (Dat Dere), Chloe Onari (Dat Dere), Dale Whitmore (Word of Mouth), Don Weitz (Anti-Psychiatry Radio), Susy Alvarez (Word of Mouth), Usheak Koroma (Word of Mouth and Sounds of Africa), Heather Douglas (Frameline), Farid Omar (Saturday Morning Live), Barbara Goslawski (Frameline) and Carmelle Wolfson (Radio Cliteracy).

More volunteers are expecting letters in their inbox later this week.

Phillips has also told members that if they did not sign the new volunteer contract within the one-week period given them, their access cards to the station would be de-activated. Many of those who received letters have
signed this contract.

Phillips called a volunteer meeting last Tuesday to hold annual elections.

Volunteer Usheak Koroma took over chairing duties after Phillips would not recognize the flood of comments from the floor. Elections were held.

Heather Douglas and Ron Nelson (Reggaemania) were elected the new volunteer representatives and former station manager Conrad Collaco was elected to the former core staff post.

A committee of volunteers organized elections last Saturday, May 3 to vote in new community representatives. Community members voted unanimously to elect Arnold Minors and Geoffery MacDonald to the two posts.

Phillips and Barnes say they will not recognize the newly elected board members.

***

Press contacts:

Susy Alvarez Phone: 416-996-5540
Email: susy.pocasangre@gmail.com

Verlia Stephens Phone: 416-723-1271 (c)
Email: verlia@hotmail.com

Barbara Goslawski Phone: 416-778-9157
Email: bgos923@hotmail.com