Dear Dr. Palms:
On behalf of the National Writers Union, one of America's largest and most respected writers organizations, I express our outrage at the resignation under duress of Trey Lofton, WUSC station manager, and the closing of the station in mid December. We are further outraged that this resignation was forced under false pretenses; that lies were told about the existence of an FCC inquiry; that the remainder of the WUSC staff were dismissed; that the locks at the radio station were changed; that threats were made to remove the station's web site; that the staff's WUSC email accounts were closed; and that the private email of station personnel was illegally read.
We've been reliably informed that these actions were ordered by Mr. Chris Carroll, the Student Media Director; Jerry Brewer, Director of Student Life; and Patty Tomanio, Mr. Brewer's assistant. They reportedly objected to the content of music played over WUSC, specifically citing Pansy Division. We believe this objection was motivated by their disapproval of the band members' sexual orientation.
The behavior attributed to Carroll, Brewer and Tomanio is unethical and immoral. Such actions also violate both the Carolina creed and the constitution of the radio station. And, most importantly, at a public university, such violations of First Amendment rights are illegal.
The heavy-handed purging of WUSC has caused the University of South Carolina public embarrassment and swift steps must be taken to prevent further damage to your school's reputation. If Mr. Carroll, Mr. Brewer and Ms. Tomanio are the responsible parties, the University has made a very serious error in hiring these individuals, and they must be dismissed immediately.
The WUSC staff must be reinstated and they must be reassured that in the future their Constitutional rights will be respected by University administrators. Furthermore, the University must see to it that this censorious homophobic campaign does not continue elsewhere. If indictable offenses have been committed, you have a legal obligation to see that the miscreants face prosecution.
The National Writers Union represents over 4,000 freelance writers nationwide. We are journalists, book authors, fiction writers, poets, business and technical writers, academics, cartoonists. Our membership comprises some of the most distinguished names in American letters.
By our constitution, we are "committed to freedom of expression in all media, including print, film, and electronic media of any sort." We also oppose all forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation. When we affiliated with the UAW in 1992, we successfully campaigned to amend their constitution to be as inclusive as our own.
We know, President Palms, that you would never knowingly hire bigots and hate mongers, or those who would further their personal political agendas and tarnish the University of South Carolina name by infringing the inalienable Constitutional rights of your students. We are therefore confident that you will give this matter your immediate attention.
We respectfully request the courtesy of a reply at your earliest convenience. In the meanwhile, we will do our best to inform as many people as possible of these outrages.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Chatelle, Political Issues Chair
National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981 AFL-CIO
cc: Judith Krug, American Library Association; Leanne Katz, National Coalition Against Censorship; David Mendoza, National Campaign for Freedom of Expression; Marjorie Heins, American Civil Liberties Union; Christopher Reeve, Creative Coalition; Rachel Hickerson, Feminists for Free Expression; Donald Suggs, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; Gara LaMarche; Human Rights Watch; Skipp Porteous, Institute for First Amendment Studies; Suzanne Goldberg, Lambda Legal Defense Fund and Education Fund; Mickey Granberg, National Association of Recording Merchandisers; National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Jill Bond, People for the American Way; Paul Russinof, Recording Industry Association of America; Julie Lynn, Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression; Dan Mayer, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts; other members of the Free Expression Network; Krist Novoselic, JAMPAC; Nina Crowley; Massachusetts Music Industry Coalition; Justice on Campus; The Gamecock; John Woods, Rock Out Censorship; Dave Marsh, Rolling Stone; Nat Hentoff, Village Voice and Washington Post; The Advocate; Bay Windows; IN Newsweekly; The Washington Blade; Harvey Silverglate, Boston Phoenix; Maureen Dezell, Boston Globe; Greg Reibman, The Tab; other members of the press.