Videos about the troubles

These videos and news stories document the dark days at KDNA, starting July 2008 with the arrival of Maria Fernandez and the ascension of Jorge Lobos to Chair of the KDNA/NCEC Board of Directors. Eventually this will be just be a bad memory, but will also continue to be a reminder of how easy it can be for a few people to wreck havoc on a good cause.

To see video about the first 28 years of successes and accomplishments of KDNA go to Video History

December 2009
Community Sit-in at Granger Community Center results in arrests

Decemer 9, 2009 - Fernandez "reports" to the Board

On December 9, 2009, the NCEC/KDNA Board of Directors had one of their irregular meetings. Here's Executive Director Maria Fernandez making a presentation to the Board. What sense can you make of it? Observe the puzzled expressions on the faces of the Board members. Even though the presentation is completely unintelligible, note how they actually go through the motions of "accepting" her report.

December 9, 2009 - The Board meeting ends in chaos

On December 9, 2009, just before the Board of Directors fled the building, Jesus Sosa attempted to get them to address a few of the many issues that the Community has asked them about over the last 17 months, and to which the Board has not responded. Note how Jorge Lobos (the former Chair of the Board) disrespectfully gets up to walk out when Jesus starts to speak. One issue was the scandal of the pornography on the station's new website. For some reason the young woman (Fernandez's executive assistant, hired as a strike breaker last May) apparently thought they were talking about her MySpace page, and, grabbing the microphone, jumped up on the stage to defend herself. Chaos ensued.

December 9, 2009 - Two of longest-term employees blow the whistle

But the Board of Directors covers their ears, runs away, and (from under the bed?) calls the police. Fernandez fires Accountant Juan Ozuna, and Administrative Assistant Amelia Ramon. The community demands a meeting, and the sit-in starts. (If you have problem opening the video, you can read the story Here)

December 9, 2009 - Gabriel addresses the community during the sit-in

After watching Amelia Ramon and Juan Ozuna be fired for telling the truth to the Board of Directors, Gabriel Martinez speaks to the community waiting to meet with the Board.

Gabriel Martinez, long-time KDNA Station Manager, speaks to the community during the sit-in at the Granger Community Center. Although Martinez has been a supporter of Maria Fernandez for the last 17 months, he now expresses his unhappiness at the turn of events and says he will resign if changes are not made to restore the radio station's mission. One important aspect of KDNA's mission was job and skills training for farm workers. Twenty-five years ago, Martinez was a student trainee of the founders: Julio Guerrero, Dan Roble, and Rosa Ramon. After witnessing Fernandez systematically dismantle all that the founders accomplished, Gabriel seems to have come around.

December 11, 2009 - The temporary restraining order is served on the community

After a three-day peaceful sit-in at the Granger Community Center occupied by Radio KDNA, on Friday December 11, 2009 the police chief of Granger, Washington serves a temporary restraining order requiring the demonstrators to "depart and leave" the property immediately and to not return before December 25, 2009, or the court date of December 18, 2009 should the order be overturned. As the police chief reads the order, Roberto Maestas translates.

December 11, 2009 - The first protester is removed

On December 11, 2009, after the temporary restraining order was explained to the community protesters, 4 members of the community chose civil disobedience. Here, the first is removed.

December 11, 2009 - The second protester is removed

On December 11, 2009, after the temporary restraining order was explained to the community protesters, 4 members of the community chose civil disobedience. Here, the second is removed.

December 11, 2009 - Roberto Maestas is arrested

On December 11, 2009, after the temporary restraining order was explained to the community protesters, 4 members of the community chose civil disobedience. Here, Roberto Maestas former president of the Board of Directors of the NCEC (Northwest Communities' Education Center) and KDNA, as well as a long-time activist and founder and retired Executive Director of El Centro de La Raza in Seattle, is removed from the building. He makes a statement from inside the police vehicle.

November 7, 2009 - CPB Office of Inspector General pays a visit

The community asks to meet with the auditor, but Maria Fernandez hides him in the building and tells the community "CPB doesn't want to see you." CPB? CPB? CPB, we pay taxes too.

See the community demand Maria Fernandez's resignation. See Fernandez warn the community to get out because she has called the police. See the Sheriff say "it looks pretty quiet here." See Ninfa video tape the protestors for her scrapbook.

November 2009 - Spammers attack unprotected and unmonitored KDNA website

Even though it was the community that let her know that she had pornographic advertising on her forum pages, Fernandez went ahead and blamed it on the same community. (If you have problem opening the video, you can read the story Here)

Verdict: Fernandez not qualified to publish a website.

October 2009 - Fernandez "unveils" a dud

Evidently she didn't know her website was a flop, because she went right ahead and made a lot of absurd claims. Two months later it was still non-functional. See Fernandez;