Protesters want John & Ken Fired

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The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of LA (CHIRLA), the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and other groups held a protest today outside the Los Angeles headquarters of Clear Channel Communications in Burbank.

Last month, during the 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. show, the hosts gave out the phone number of a spokesman for CHIRLA, Jorge-Mario Cabrera, on air, exhorting their listeners to call in opposition to the DREAM Act, which CHIRLA supports. The number was also posted on the show's website. (The number was gained from a press release from CHIRLA.) Within minutes of the number's announcement, Cabrera's phone was inundated with over 300 voice-mails, saying things like, "Rot in hell", "Get out of this country", "wetback", and other things that can't be printed here.

While the hosts claim that they never urged their supporters to use violent or hate-laced language, CHIRLA and other groups find the pattern disturbing. Supporters of the show say that the hosts aim their barbs only at illegal immigrants, but David Ybarra, who was at the protest, said that the language on the show does not make that distinction clear: "...the racial overtones that they use are completely wrong, and...someone needs to put a stop to it -- how they say it and what they say."

As a result of the uproar, Ralph's, Von's, AT&T, and Verizon have withdrawn their advertising from the show. Protest organizers expect more advertisers will follow suit, for fear of losing their large Latino customer base.

Maria Rodriguez of CHIRLA says the group wants accountability and good journalism: "Be responsible with your journalism. Be responsible with what you're doing."

Organizers say they will continue to press for the removal of the hosts and expect to be successful.

Producers for "The John and Ken Show" were unavailable for comment.