Protest Held in Support of Fired Forum Columnists

The crowd expressed their displeasure with the Forum's decision and asked for the three to be reinstated.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Fallout continues from the Forum’s decision to fire three of its columnists, with protesters gathering outside the Forum building to make their voices heard.

The protest began at 4:30 in the afternoon of April 1.

Many feel the news outlet’s decision to let go of Jim Shaw, Jack Zaleski, and Joan Brickner is an indication that the Forum’s owners want to see less criticism of the Trump administration.

Brickner herself showed up to lend her voice to the protest.

Those in the crowd outside the Forum said this move had made them cancel their subscriptions, as they wish to support a news outlet that allows opinions from across the political spectrum.

“Never really thought seriously about dropping my subscription, but I am today because I’m so disappointed this happened with no warning and really no explanation,” said protester Lori Klein. “That’s the main thing – there’s no explanation given, and as far as I know the writers weren’t given any explanation, they were simply dropped.”

“We need voices from all different sides,” said fellow protester Carrie Rupert. “I don’t think we need just a progressive news source, but we need all voices.”

In a statement to KVRR, Bill Marcil Jr., the CEO of Forum Communications, said “The recent decision to let go of three of our freelance opinion columnists was strictly a business decision based on data and feedback from our readers.”