AMERICANS FOR RADIO DIVERSITY
news and info regarding the public's airwaves
November 06, 2000
Free Radio Austin Shut Down for 2nd Time
source: Independent Media Center
Today, at around noon, central Texas time, Free Radio Austin was taken off the air. This marks the second time in less than a month, that the unlicensed operators have had their equipment seized. John, the occupant of the house where the station had been relocated to in mid-October was home at the time. He explained that the DJ at the time had the door open when agents from the U.S. Marshalls, Austin police and FCC agent Lloyd Perry entered the property. The DJ was able to shut and lock the door before they entered the studio. He asked to see a warrant and they refused to produce one, even though they had one, so the Dj refused to open the door. He was able to hold them off for a few moments and make a call out to the community about the situation. The police then smashed a window on the side of the building and made entry. They proceeded to remove two turntables, a cd player, two tape decks, a mixer, a microphone, a 40 watt transmitter, an antenna, and a seventy foot pole, among other items. Approximately one hundred people from the community amassed on the street in front of the house.... The warrants left behind were out of the ordinary. Not only was the equipment listed, but it specifically named two individuals of the station, as well as, John and Mary Does 1-100. Free Radio Austin is now under a federal injunction from broadcasting at 97.1 fm.
posted on November 06, 2000 08:26 PM