Now that the rumored purchase has occurred and Rice’s KTRU studios will now be under the control of Clear Channel affiliated U of H there is little that we outraged listeners can do but show our solidarity. Luckily this Sunday, at 2:00 PM, there will be a peaceful demonstration, at Rice University, just for that purpose. The event is well-organized, has a noise permit, and the approval of Rice University. There will be water stations, police officers, and an EMT on site. To set the mood, there will be also be a series of speakers including a few of KTRU’s very own DJs. If you cannot attend Sunday’s demonstration you can also help by getting signatures of your concerned fellow Houstonians. Petitions can be printed off here.

From what I’ve read, on a properly cited Wikipedia article, KTRU’s frequency will be converted into an all-classical music format called KUHC which means that the station’s original programming will be replaced entirely. If still true, this plan is preposterous and is an affront to the enthusiastic community of listeners that has grown out of KTRU, young and old. There is nothing wrong with classical music and it does have its place but let’s face it, classical stations are a dime a dozen while high-quality, eclectic, college radio, stations are absolutely not. KTRU is something special and is something well worth defending.

-Jack Daniel Betz