Radio Station Returns to Air One Week after Minneapolis Fires

A Spanish-language radio station has returned to the air one week after its studio facility was destroyed by fire amid Minneapolis protests.

A Thursday post on the Facebook page of “La Raza 95.7” (KMNV/1400 and K239CJ/95.7) indicates that it received help from community station KFAI to return. Its web stream at laraza1400.com is also up and running.

“La Raza” is among the numerous Minneapolis businesses damaged or destroyed by the massive demonstrations in the wake of the Memorial Day death of George Floyd while in police custody. The station’s studio was located in building at the corner of Lake Street and 27th Avenue South, about a block away from the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct.

The station lost power in protests on the evening of May 27 and the building was burned the following night:

KMNV and K239CJ both transmit from a different site. “La Raza” is normally also heard on KMNQ/1470 (Brooklyn Park), but that station has been off the air for a few months.

The station is administering a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for rebuilding South Minneapolis businesses.

Meanwhile, station owner Maya Santamaria told KSTP-TV in a May 28 report that she previously employed both George Floyd and Officer Derek Chauvin at a night club she formerly owned. Chauvin is seen on video pinning Floyd’s head to the ground with his knee as Floyd said he couldn’t breath. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree homicide and manslaughter, while three other officers who were at the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting Chauvin.

Santamaria told KSTP that she employed both Floyd and Chauvin for security at El Nuevo Rodeo, which is located in the same building as KMNV. She said Chauvin worked outside while Floyd was among a dozen guards who worked inside, so she can’t say for sure whether they knew each other.

KSTP reported that Santamaria sold the venue within the last few months.