ACM Statement on Social and Racial Justice

June 15, 2020

The Alliance for Community Media (ACM) has a long history of organizing to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to address significant issues in the pursuit of justice, liberty, and equity. The ACM’s mission and values are based on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and in particular the First Amendment.

The Alliance for Community Media's vision is that all communities have the resources, ability and right to express themselves, create community dialogue and engage in civic life through local media. Our guiding principles are to promote free speech, expand civic engagement through local media, and ensure the people can seek redress of their grievances.

The power of witness is clear. When the video cameras are rolling, unedited, and unfiltered, the truth finds the light of day. This is the fundamental concept of public access and community media: to empower our community voices with the power of media to tell their story their way.

Our fight against injustice includes standing together against racism, hate, police brutality, and systemic oppression in our communities. We stand in solidarity with the many people and organizations that condemn structural, implicit and explicit racism that leads to the denial of human and constitutional rights. We cannot be silent, we haven’t been silent and when those who are not the victims of these injustices do not speak they empower the perpetrators of injustice to act with impunity.

Let us work together to make the recent slayings the turning point to move to a more understanding, compassionate, and welcoming community that supports access, equity, and accountability, free from prejudice, malice, and hate.

ACM Board of Directors

Donna Keating, Chair
Richard Turner, Chair Elect
Michele Alimoradi
Andrea Capere
Barbara Chisholm
James Horwood
Sanford Inouye
James Knightwright
Gary Martin
Matt Richardson
Debra Rogers
Ross Rowe
Jasmine White
Mike Wassenaar (Ex Officio)