A rally this week in support of community station 2GLF was a success according to organisers, who hope to pressure Liverpool Council to find the station a new home. The station was recently given notice it would have to move from its current council owned location (see earlier story).
Station spokesperson Glen Burns has told radioinfo:
“We were able to fill the council chambers to capacity, which does not happen all that often.
“The station presented its case to council during the public forum, highlighting the unprecedented challenge facing the station to secure a location and to rebuild a radio station in just six months. We also gave the council an overview of the community benefit we bring to the local area.”
At the rally outside the Council Chambers, station supporters waved signs that read “Liverpool Council screwed 2GLF,” “Never have so few ignored so many,” and “I’m so mad to lose my voice,” as they chanted “Save Our Station.”
The Council adopted a motion of support to “help the station find a location,” although it made no guarantees that it would be a council location. The council also agreed to meet with station representatives in the next two weeks.
Liverpool Council general manager Farooq Portelli told the meeting the Council had not turned its back on the station, but had given adequate notice of the eviction. “The eviction notice was not the first time the station was made aware of their impending relocation. It has known that for some years. The only unknown was when.”
Portelli said the council had previously proposed alternate sites, including the Casula Powerhouse, the PCYC recording studio, the Old Rangers building on Memorial Ave and the Liverpool Museum, but there was never a commitment from the council that it would provide a site.
“While the station is encouraged by the motion of support until we have a location secured our situation remains unchanged,” says Burns.
2GLF has now collected about 1000 signatures on a petition of support.
Protestors at the SOS Rally for 2GLF at Liverpool Council Chambers this week.