Posted on 02/20/2003 3:44:05 PM PST by Las Vegas Dave
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame site cancelled for business reasons, (RRHoF has business arrangements with recording artists, Sheryl Crow was specifically mentioned), and in addition, the capacity of RRHoF building is limited.
I heard this on WTAM1100AM (Cleveland) during my drive home tonight on the Mike Trivisonno show. Mike had a phone conversation with Glenn Beck. Glenn's comment about R&R, "I'm not surprised!"
Glenn will talk about this tomorrow (Friday), on his show, and hopefully, a venue will be located!
SAys the SA rally is exploding with interest.
02/22/03
Brian E. Albrecht
Plain Dealer Reporter
National conservative radio talk-show host Glenn Beck announced yesterday that he would "name names" of people he said pressured the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum into not hosting Beck's "Rally for America" in Cleveland March 2.
During his morning show broadcast on WTAM AM/1100, Beck said "there are forces out there that are trying to stop us," and told listeners he would identify those forces next week.
He also said the Rally for America, created as a show of support for U.S. troops, would still go on despite Thursday's decision by the rock hall. "I'll do it in the stall of stinkin' McDonald's bathroom," he said.
As a result of the show, callers phoned Cleveland City Hall wanting to know which city official had pressured the rock hall. They also phoned WTAM to offer everything from rally sites to stage production services.
Rodney Jenkins, chief public affairs officer for Mayor Jane Campbell, said the mayor has not been involved in any discussions regarding a rally at the rock hall.
Campbell would not oppose any peaceful public demonstration, he said, but sponsors should notify safety forces in advance and get permits if the event is held on city property.
Contacted after his show, Beck said he could not reveal any names until he has the evidence in hand. "If I gain that evidence I will absolutely name names."
He added, "The forces that are involved are extraordinarily anti-war."
Beck noted, "I don't have any animosity toward the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The pressure was applied, and I think overwhelming pressure, and where that pressure came from is the real story."
Todd Mesek, director of marketing and communications for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, said he has gotten calls both supporting and opposing the decision.
"The event was never confirmed here. When we were approached about the event, our true concerns were about the building's capacity," he said. "They went on the air prematurely" to announce the site.
Mesek said there was no outside pressure to block the rally. Part of the decision, he said, did include a concern of rock hall officials that "the event was starting to take on political undertones" in supporting war with Iraq, and "it's just not our policy to take a position on either side of a political issue."
He noted that if a request were made to use the rock hall for an anti-war rally, it also would be denied.
During yesterday's show, though Beck said it was time to go to war with Iraq to keep it from becoming another (nuclear-armed) North Korea, he also said the planned event "is not a pro-war rally. This is a pro-troops rally."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
balbrecht@plaind.com, 216-999-4853
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