Reclaim the Airwaves Tour! Southern Route: Nov 15 - Dec 17, 2012

Prometheus has launched the Reclaim the Airwaves tour to spread the word about the historic chance to start community radio stations coming up in 2013. This winter we are traveling through the South to meet with local groups who want a voice on the airwaves.

What could your community or movement do with its own radio station? Come learn more and meet others interested in starting a station near you. Don't worry if you know nothing about radio! As Zane Ibrahim of South Africa's Bush Radio says, "Community radio is 90% about community and 10% about radio."

Southern Tour Stops 2012

Baltimore, MD ............................... 11/15, 11/16
 - Facing Race Conference
Durham, NC .................................. 11/17

Asheville, NC ................................ 11/18 
Knoxville, TN ................................ 11/19 
Knoxville, TN ................................ 11/20 
Chattanooga, TN ........................... 11/26

Atlanta, GA  ................................. 11/27, 11/28

Jackson, MS  ............................... 11/30
New Orleans, LA  .......................... 12/5
Charleston, SC ............................. 12/7-12/9 - Southern Human Rights Organizing Conference
Orlando, FL  ................................. 12/10
Venice, FL ................................ 12/11
Immokalee, FL ............................. 12/12
Miami, FL .....................................12/13 - RSVP NOW!
Jacksonville, FL ............................12/16 - RSVP NOW!
Savannah, GA .............................12/16 - RSVP NOW!
Charlotte, NC ............................... 12/17 - RSVP NOW!

At tour events, we will share:

• Overview of the opportunity to apply for communit radio licenses and what it could mean for you and your community
• A framework of community radio as a tool for social justice movement-building and cultural expression
• Tools and resources to help you get on the air
• Steps & requirements to apply for a radio license and build a station, including timeline, costs, and eligibility requirements
• Documentation of local struggles along the route and the need for independent media
• A history of corporate media consolidation and the successful struggle to expand community radio in the U.S.

The Prometheus Radio Project led a successful decade-long struggle against corporate media giants to pass the Local Community Radio Act, which was signed into law in January 2011. As a result of this victory, next year nonprofits, unions, and community groups will have a historic opportunity to apply for thousands of new noncommercial FM radio licenses all across the country. 

This is an opportunity to build long-term movement infrastructure in the South. It's the biggest chance in over a generation for people of color, women, workers, and others historically excluded from owning their own media to gain access and ownership of the airwaves. This will be the largest expansion of community radio in U.S. history, and it's expected to be the last big chance to start a community radio station.

Prometheus facilitating a training at the 2012 Grassroots Radio Conference

Prometheus has a ten-year track record of winning on policy and supporting social justice groups to get on the air. We helped the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in Florida to build their own community radio station in 2003 as a tool for organizing and artistic expression. Radio has helped the CIW to grow their membership into the hundreds and win landmark labor victories against the biggest food companies on the planet, including McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, and most recently Chipotle. 

Prometheus is now offering free services to support social justice groups, progressive nonprofits, and allies to apply for new Low Power FM (LPFM) radio licenses nationwide when they become available. The FCC has indicated the deadline to apply will be around October 2013.

Visit the Tour Report Back page for updates on our trip!

Also check out our blog from the 2010 Making Waves Tour in the South.