Dec. 1, 2011
Dear Friends and Supporters:
The Voice of Palestine (VOP) Collective brought two motions to Vancouver Coop Radio AGM on Nov. 27/11. We regret to inform you that both were defeated; we will be issuing a more detailed statement later, but here is a brief summary of what transpired.
The first motion was calling for an investigation into the secrecy around Coop’s recent “frequency swap” deal with Jim Pattison Industries; although we felt this was crucial to the future democratic health of the station, it was not something the majority of members supported. We had discussed this motion with Board representatives the week prior and had even agreed to amendments they had suggested, but when it came to the AGM, they were either curiously silent or voted against.
The second motion was calling for support for the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel until it complied with international law. In fact, as the motion noted, such support had already been passed by both the global and national community radio bodies. This draft resolution was the culmination of over 2 months of communicating with Coop Radio’s Board, and only came to the AGM through the persistent efforts of the VOP collective. The Board finally took a decision on the motion just hours before the AGM and did not support it. Those who spoke and voted against the motion at the AGM ranged from the usual Zionist voices (we will feel threatened by this etc.), to Coop members who were clearly (and understandably) worried about future intimidation tactics of the Israel lobby and conservative forces, to those who didn’t want to deal with “political issues” (not a problem for the Pride Parade or Amnesty Int’l, just for Palestine), to finally several “supporters of Palestinian rights” who rejected the draft resolution on technicalities that they did not see fit to raise with us in advance, showing blatant disregard for the strategic interests of the Palestinian-led BDS struggle and thereby contributing to the atmosphere of misunderstanding and confusion during the debate. We were shocked by Coop Radio’s failure, “the people’s station” that says it is moving “further to the left on the dial”, to take a stand alongside its national network at this crucial point in history for the Palestinian people. We neither agree with nor respect this decision and we know in our hearts that many people voted against the motion for the wrong reasons. However, the decision has been taken, the damage has been done and it now places Coop Radio and all those who opposed the motion on the wrong side of history. In closing we ask all our friends, especially Coop Radio members, to express your support for Voice of Palestine’s motion and the BDS campaign as an important part of the struggle of the Palestinian people by emailing the new Board at board-liaison@coopradio.org
The following are the two draft resolutions submitted by the Voice of Palestine Collective to the 2011 Coop Radio AGM.
1st Draft Resolution for 2011 AGM (A Coop committee to investigate the frequency swap):
“Whereas many Coop Radio members were questioning the Board’s decision to keep the frequency swap application secret from the membership,
Whereas no ratifying vote for the deal was conducted to allow the membership a voice prior to proceeding with the CRTC application,
And whereas Coop Radio is entering a new phase and should reaffirm its commitment to democratic and progressive principles;
Be it resolved that the general membership of Coop Radio elect an independent committee of five Co-op Members who were not involved in the swap decision, and
That this committee will be empowered to investigate the process by which the frequency swap agreement was signed under a non-disclosure agreement and interview Co-op Members who were involved in the swap deal including the members of the last 2 boards and the staff (within their time constraints), and
Within nine months the Committee will draft a report to be publicized prior to a member consultation session, after which the report and any recommendations will be presented for approval at the next Co-op Radio general meeting in 2012.”
2nd Draft Resolution for 2011 AGM (on Boycott Divestment and Sanctions):
“Whereas Coop Radio has a long tradition of social justice advocacy in many areas, and
Whereas in 2005, Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights, and
Whereas both The World Association of Community Broadcasters AMARC and our national network in Canada, NCRA, have supported the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel –
Therefore be it resolved that Vancouver Cooperative Radio supports the call for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions against Israel,
And be it resolved that Co-op Radio will explore ways to implement that support,
And be it further resolved that we will support alternative media outlets in Palestine/Israel.”