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Seattle IMC Planning To Close Up Shop

Yes, it's true. The Seattle Independent Media Center,
the grandmother of the 100 or so IMC's around the
globe
is so in debt that they are about to default on their
lease in downtown Seattle and close up shop for good.
Currently they are three months behind in rent.

It's a shame and a tragedy. As a journalist who has
worked with the IMC since 2000, I am in shock.

The Seattle IMC has been a focus point for groups and
activists fighting for media democracy since the WTO
ministerial conference in 1999. They were the
headquarters for all of the activities surrounding the
recent National Association of Broadcasters conference
here, as well as the Reclaim The Media events during
FCC hearings in Seattle. The IMC has also been home to
the webcast station Radio X on the microradio.net
network.

Yes, the economy in Seattle has suffered greatly with
the dotcom bust and tens of thousands of Boeing
lay-offs. The city is in trouble and so is the
activist movement.

The global activist community needs to rally around
the Seattle IMC and show support for their hard work
over the last three years. They were right there in
the middle of the WTO demonstrations giving live
coverage to the events and they have remained on the
cutting edge of alternative journalism ever since,
covering hundreds of protests, conferences and local
issues. They have helped facilitate countless efforts
around the world to create free speech and freedom of
the press.

If there is anything that folks at Democracy Now can
do to help this situation by letting people know
what's going on that would be great. We need some kind
of fundraising effort to save the space. The office on
Third Ave has been open to local journalists,
activists
and artists for years and it would be a shame to close
down the public computer terminals, media making
workshops, lectures, film series, volunteer training,
etc. that goes on there.

Any feedback would be most welcome.
Seattle IMC 206-262-2712
www.seattle.indymedia.org
Thanks,