Community Comes Out to Protest ESL's Sponsorship of Lonsberry

A huge crowd turned out for at ESL on State street this Thursday to protest their sponsorship of the Bob Lonsberry show. Demonstrators swarmed around the entrance to the ESL branch and made it clear that they did not want their money being used to sponsor his racist, sexist and classist statements.

At the peak of the demonstration there were about 50 people in front of the branch. Over the course the hour a total of 70-80 people showed up. Folks picketed in front of the entrance to ESL chanting, “Don't give in to racist Fear! Lonsberry's not welcome here”, and giving out fliers about the campaign to passersby.

Myra Brown, an organizer for Anti-Racist Movement said “I'm very encouraged by the community response. They understand that it's not about free speech, but about people being targeted directly in our community. It is always our responsibility to stand up when children have been targeted.

Lonsberry has demonstrated by his language and actions that he is not able to provide the healthy leadership that is required to be on public radio.”

The boycott has already had success getting companies to remove their sponsorship from the Bob Lonsberry show. Tops Markets, Family First, State Farm, and the Center for Disability Rights have already agreed to move their advertising dollars to other places. ARM has said it will continue to target the sponsors of the show until either they pull their sponsorship or WHAM decides to take Lonsberry off the air.