Capital Gazette staff rally on Labor Day to save local news

The Chesapeake News Guild, representing the unionized staff of the Capital Gazette, invites readers, elected officials and other journalists to say goodbye to its newsroom, to be closed this year by corporate owner Tribune Publishing.

The Capital newspaper has had a presence in Annapolis since the 1800s. But Tribune, a publicly-traded company, which as recently as March paid millions of dollars in dividends to corporate shareholders, is using the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic to justify withdrawing its physical presence from our communities.

This closure will not only leave journalists without a safe and supportive environment, it will have a significant impact on our ability to effectively engage with the communities we cover. 

Tribune Publishing’s divestment in our physical community presence is a divestment in the people of Maryland. We disagree with this decision because we believe that the country needs journalists on the ground, holding institutions accountable more than ever.

The Capital staff will come together on Labor Day to bid farewell to its newsroom and rally in support of local news along with Carroll County Times and Baltimore Sun journalists.

We will be removing our belongings and equipment from The Capital office; loading up our cars (essentially our new newsrooms); and then parading our mobile offices through the city. 

The car caravan will proceed from Riva Road, down West Street and around Church Circle and State Circle to City Dock. There, staff will speak and answer questions.

We invite you to cheer on the staff as we make our way around Church and State Circles at approximately 11:45 a.m. and then proceed to City Dock for a press conference.

We hope you’ll join our fight to save local news.

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What: Rally to bid farewell to the Capital Gazette newsroom and save local news

Who: The staff of the Capital Gazette as well as supporters from sister papers and elsewhere

When: Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7 — The car caravan will begin at 11:30 a.m. and reach City Dock around noon. A press conference will occur from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Press are invited to watch journalists leave the newsroom. For more information about the location, please contact chesapeakeguild@gmail.com. 

Supporters can cheer on the car parade as it comes down West street, around Church Circle and State Circle, down Maryland Avenue to City Dock. There, everyone can join the press conference at Susan B. Campbell Park. 

Contacts: chesapeakeguild@gmail.com, Danielle Ohl (484) 951-7469, Selene San Felice (301) 661-0665, Olivia Sanchez (541) 778-8366