Backers of low-power FM community radio stations protested outside the National Association of Broadcasters on Monday to call for the passage of the Local Community Radio Act before the end of the year. The bill has already been approved in the U.S. House of Representatives, but secret holds have been put on the bill in the Senate. On Monday, members of the Prometheus Radio Project accused Gordon Smith, the head of the National Association of Broadcasters, of orchestrating the secret holds. As part of the demonstration, protesters hula-hooped and juggled outside the NAB offices chanting, “Stop making us jump through hoops.” Speakers at the rally included Veronica Dorsey of the group United Workers.

Veronica Dorsey: “We are here because we are supporting expanding community radio to every city and every town across the United States of America. The big broadcasters of the National Association of Broadcasters and their Senate friends have blocked the Local Community Radio Act. So to the National Association of Broadcasters, stop making community radio jump through hoops!”