Pack the courtroom Friday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m., 7th & Washington, 4th floor, Dept. 111

On Aug. 20, 2008, single mother and Black radio broadcaster Nadra Foster was beaten mercilessly by Berkeley police inside of the building of the “home of free speech radio,” “progressive” radio station KPFA in Berkeley, after bogusly being accused of trespassing at the station in which she had volunteered her services for over 10 years. To this day, the management of KPFA and of the Pacifica radio network have attempted to cover up their role in this vile police crime against the Black community and progressive media makers.

Now that ratings are slipping at KPFA, management is accusing the journalists who exposed this government act of terrorism, where a Black woman was kicked in the head and between her legs by police, as being the cause of such a shift in listenership, as though we, the reporters, should be ashamed of reporting the stories that our communities need to be informed about.

The drop in listenership is not because the station is not capable of doing a tremendous job serving their listenership. It is a growing vote of no confidence by many of the listeners and a majority of the staff in the current management of the station and the Pacifica network that it is a part of. Should there be a change in who runs the station and who has regular station sponsored shows – and depending on the actions of the administration that takes over – there could be a drastic turnaround in listenership, volunteer support, fundraising and the station and network’s credibility in the media.

Now we are going to talk to Nadra Foster, who faces trial Feb. 5 at the courthouse on Seventh and Washington in downtown Oakland on the fourth floor in Department 111 at 9 a.m.

M.O.I. JR: What were you charged with?

Nadra: Currently, I am charged with two counts of resisting arrest and two counts of battery on an officer.

M.O.I. JR: How have these charges affected your family life? Can you talk about your hand being paralyzed?

Nadra: Being criminalized by the same media field in which I worked as a passionate professional for over a decade for showing up to work like every positive, progressive adult citizen should do has been devastating. Actually being prosecuted by the DA is an extremely surreal experience like a horror movie turn Matrix. I am thankful I am grounded by Jah, the almighty protector, and all of my ancestors who have been praying me through.

Currently my left hand is paralyzed with upcoming surgeries to mend severed tendons. My hand has been in constant pain for over a year now and as you can imagine that alone has been overwhelming. My family and friends have been called on for overtime to help me with my children and I have not been in any condition to work or function as I used to.

This is a very harsh lesson yet a very real one. In America in 2010 the African American community is not protected by law and order, and justice is just a lottery ticket promise. Thus the stand, walk and daily quest for liberty is ever necessary. I am going to take this hardship as training and learn to become a champion for the people for love and for justice.

M.O.I. JR: When does your trial start? How can people help you?

In America in 2010 the African American community is not protected by law and order, and justice is just a lottery ticket promise. I am going to take this hardship as training and learn to become a champion for the people for love and for justice.

Nadra: I go to trial in Oakland Feb. 5th, 9 a.m., on the fourth floor in Department 111.

M.O.I. JR: How can people stay up with what’s going on with you?

Nadra: People can help by showing up at court dates and praying and chanting.

Email POCC Minister of Information JR, Bay View associate editor, at blockreportradio@gmail.com and visit www.blockreportradio.com.

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