My name is Gerald Sanders, I live in West Oakland. I have been a been a listener of KPFA since 1975. I am a union Electrician, a member of the IBEW local 595. I have a 40 year history of social and political activism. I am and have been centrally involved in the struggle to save the life of Mumia Abu-Jamal. I am on the steering committee of the Mobilization to Free Mumia and I am a founding member of the Labor Action Committee to Free Mumia (LAC). The LAC initiated and helped organize the 1999 Oakland School District Teach-In on the Death Penalty and the case of Mumia and the April 24 [same year] West coast ports shutdown by the longshoremen, ILWU, demanding freedom for Mumia . I am a founding member and supporter of Berkeley Copwatch. I have been active in many other political arenas. For example in 1996 I ran for the school board, representing District 3 [West Oakland] in alliance with the teachers union. In spite of the fact that my opponent out spent me 10 to 1, I received 46.4 % of the vote. I have been involved in grassroots radio for some time. I volunteered at KPOO at a time when we where still using egg containers to sound proof the studio. I worked on the Amandla Program at KALX. I was among the founders of Free Radio Berkeley (a micro-transmitted station, 104.1 FM) and functioned as convener and on various committees.

In the course of all my activities it has become increasingly clear how important KPFA is to our community. During the Pacifica crisis in 1999 I , as a member of the Frank Little Club, helped organize the main demonstration in support of KPFA. Since Pacifica is still under the gun, my primary concern is to insure that the stations we already have continue to exist. I would also like to see Pacifica extended to as many new locations as possible. I would also like to assist KPFA in deepening its roots in the Black community and the Labor movement. I think that the fact that I am a socialist gives me a perspective that strengthens my ability to bring people together at a time in which we are being attacked by the powers that be up and down the line. Brothers and sisters, I would appreciate your vote.