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BERKELEY FREE FOLK FESTIVAL 

To Berkeley Free Folk Festival participants and supporters;  

The Berkeley Free Folk Festival is a wonderful treasure for the City of Berkeley. If you are someone who cares about keeping the wonderful Free Folk Festival happening in Berkeley, please join us to discuss these questions and get an early start on making the next festival the best one ever.  

Unfortunately planning for the festival at some times in some ways has involved less than transparent information as to the ways to participate and ways to ensure increased accessibility for the disabled community. I believe that some individuals have attacked several people including disabled activists and myself for expressing concerns about accessibility and disabled issues. When people take the time and trouble to stand up for the ADA, it is important to acknowledge and respect such concerns. This is especially important because the ADA itself prohibits retaliation against advocates who point out access questions. At times there has been a climate of retaliation against those who attempt to raise festival related issues, including me. With no notice, a few years ago, I was kicked off the committee working on the event. Significant improvements have occurred gradually. May 2003 included at least one performer in a wheelchair and an improved location through the use of a school which is a state code building. Braille programs were made available, which was an exciting improvement. More improvements need to be made. I believe it is important to ensure permanent continuation of the festival. With proposals to reduce funding for festivals and community events threatening some of the heart and soul of Berkeley we must come together to defend our events and make them even better. I would like it to be easier for everyone involved whether they be folks who have previously made suggestions, or people who were complained about. We need a healing period or process and part of healing usually includes admitting the mistakes of the past and building structures to avoid repetition. Early planning is important to effectiveness. To increase clarity and reduce confusion for the next festival it would be beneficial to answer some questions.  

As the original sponsor of the festival I wish to express my concerns and discuss them in a meeting which will address the following proposed agenda:  

To be sure that this year the climate is not hostile but receptive, how do we prevent retaliation? How do we insure transparence of the process?  

How can we make this event a model of the best disabled accessibility? Who are the members of the committee and how are they chosen? What is the process for making decisions? How can we maximize participation of the musicians and supporters? How can we raise additional funds to support the event?  

If you are someone who cares about keeping the wonderful Berkeley Free Folk Festival, please join us to discuss these questions and get an early start on making the next festival the best one ever.  

We are happy to provide a meeting room here at the City Hall conference room, 2180 Milvia St .  

Councimember Kriss Worthington