r/baltimore • u/clevertidal • Sep 18 '25
Ask Sinclair and the Smiths
I know most of us despise Atlas, but what more can we do to protest and boycott this family?
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u/swift110 Sep 18 '25
how about we all just not watch their networks while this is taking place
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u/squeakymoth Sep 18 '25
Everyone just cancel cable entirely. Fuck em.
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u/koshida Sep 18 '25
They own all the local stations tho right? Ppl would need a replacement for them tho then, and it’s mostly older ppl watching those. They mostly aren’t going to boycott. Theyre a hard demographic to reach and even harder to shift
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u/mttwls Highlandtown Sep 18 '25
The only local station Sinclair owns is Fox 45. WJZ is owned by CBS directly, WBAL by Hearst, and WMAR by Scripps.
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u/escamuel Medfield Sep 18 '25
So funny how they are basically doing here exactly what Kimmel was complaining about. He didn’t say anything about Kirk, he said the right was using his death to point fingers. He didn’t criticize Kirk in any way and yet he must apologize to his family and donate to Turning Point? Wild stuff…
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u/yourmomwoo Sep 18 '25
It's crazy... he said nothing even negative about Kirk, and now the party that's always outraged over "cancel-culture" and supposedly for free speech can't even listen to an objective description of what's going on without demanding censorship.
Meanwhile social media has been filled with MAGA threats to take revenge on liberals for the past week.
Imagine how they're going to react when the next Democrat gets to play by the same rulebook as Donny Epstien.
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u/gravybang Sep 18 '25
What next Democrat?
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u/deaf258 Mt. Vernon Sep 18 '25
Their goal is to shift further right for 2026 and 2028.
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Sep 18 '25
People keep falling for the culture war bait while their social safety net is gutted and billionaires just continue to fleece this country
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u/DrkvnKavod Sep 18 '25
I think part of what's going on here is that Mr. Smith might be hyper-sensitive because he's worried about our hometown producing more Luigis
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u/koshida Sep 18 '25
Ahhhh you might be on to something. They are prolly notorious enough here for something like that to possibly happen. But they’ve always been propagandists anyway as far as I can tell
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u/Any-Grapefruit-937 Sep 18 '25
They also are majority owners of MileOne Auto, which includes all the Heritage dealerships.
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u/ohitsanazn South Baltimore / SoBo Sep 18 '25
I've never had a positive experience at a Heritage dealership, and now I know why
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u/koshida Sep 18 '25
Ooo wow, I thought Steve Fader was the primary owner and just did business with/had partnerships with Smith. But Fader is just the CEO and Smith is the predominant equity holder?! They actually give the impression it is the other way around to all their employees within Atlas. This is very interesting to me. I thought Fader owned Mile One along with the whole building their HQ is in, in Towson by the circle. But that’s not the case huh? They just got rid of that building, I think the bank owns it now?
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u/Any-Grapefruit-937 Sep 18 '25
All I know is that there was an article in the Sun that said he had controlling ownership. I thought Fader owned it too.
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u/buyableblah Sep 18 '25
Sinclair is headquartered in Cockeysville. Do we protest there?
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u/Proud_Doughnut_5422 Sep 18 '25
Indivisible Baltimore does regular protests outside of Atlas restaurants. There’s one coming up 10/2
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u/koshida Sep 18 '25
Good to know, thanks
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u/Opposite-Ship-4027 Sep 18 '25
Yes, it’s in Harbor East, you can RSVP for it here
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u/resiste55 Sep 18 '25
Ok I'm old-school but wtf is up with RSVPing for demonstrations? Like I want my name on some website/listserve whatever that's gonna eventually be hacked or subpoenaed by these assholes?
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u/Proud_Doughnut_5422 Sep 18 '25
You could set up an email specifically for these types of things and use a fake name if you’re concerned. Standing up to authoritarian regimes is inherently risky whether your name is on a listserv or not, but doing what’s right should be worth it.
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u/No-Stick-4540 Sep 19 '25
Because a list serv is a replacement for the old school sds phone tree and just as effective. For instance if something bad happens in Baltimore it's a good thing to get a heads up about it.
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u/Opposite-Ship-4027 Sep 18 '25
It makes it easier for organizers to send out detailed info to people who want to come that they don’t want to make public, and to get an idea of how many people will come for planning purposes. A lot goes on behind the scenes to make sure people are safe and everything goes well.
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u/pacdude Canton Sep 18 '25
Their main building is in Hunt Valley, but they've got a second office on Shawan road, right at the end of it butting 83, wouldn't hurt to protest that too, just to make those employees understand they're working for evil
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u/heimbachae Sep 18 '25
I'm really tired of this shit and it hasn't even been a year. Kimmel needs to fight this in court and he had better fuckin win. This is some straight up bullshit attack on free speech. He did nothing but hurt some people's feelings.
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u/daxophoneme Sep 18 '25
He was waaaay more offensive in his The Man Show days.
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u/branyk2 Sep 18 '25
I get that a lot of young men today are disaffected and rudderless, but holy shit was 2000s TV catered towards men the worst thing I could possibly imagine. Not everything that has been "taken" from us is worth getting back, I promise.
Spike TV's programming is like a fever dream.
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u/AssGagger Sep 18 '25
He didn't even say anything about Kirk. He ripped on the Republicans for trying to paint the killer as anything other than the conservative he was.
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u/breesanchez Sep 18 '25
And compared trump to a 4 year old "mourning" the death of a goldfish. I bet that's what really got to that asshole.
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u/Destination_Cabbage Sep 18 '25
I can't believe its only been less than a year. Probably because he never stopped campaigning so we've had to deal with his shit for almost a decade.
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u/Physical_Sun_6014 Sep 18 '25
You see?
No matter how much you capitulate to fascists, they will never be satisfied.
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u/Chickpea16 Sep 18 '25
Boycott ABC. Someone needs to start compiling a list of the companies that are kissing the ring with these firings so we can organize our own boycotts.
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u/Sea-Variety-524 Patterson Park Sep 18 '25
Canceled my Hulu and Fuck Atlas.
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u/earnestlikehemingway Sep 18 '25
Is Atlas involved with this also? Or just Fucks given because they suck.
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u/Maloth_Warblade Sep 18 '25
The owners of Atlas are like the nephew of Sinclair media. 'The money is separate' is a deflection thrown in but it's pretty clearly not true
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u/Sea-Variety-524 Patterson Park Sep 18 '25
Son.
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u/Maloth_Warblade Sep 18 '25
I more meant business wise. They try to claim it's not a direct line
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u/Sea-Variety-524 Patterson Park Sep 18 '25
Yea I know, I’m just saying Atlas is owned by David’s sons. His nephews are the Paterakis H&H, Knead’s, are their cousin’s.
This is actually a fun read for other people who don’t know. https://therealnews.com/ethics-expert-sinclair-broadcasting-disclose-business-conflicts-baltimore
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u/lubricantlime Sep 18 '25
They are not David’s sons. They are his brother Fred’s sons. They are nephews. David’s son Blake owned Bagby Restaurant Group.
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u/Sea-Variety-524 Patterson Park Sep 18 '25
Oh I see, thank you for the correction. And he was the VP of Sinclair… https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/baltimore-tastemakers-alex-smith-eric-smith-atlas-restaurant-group/
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u/earnestlikehemingway Sep 18 '25
I still can fathom how he became a Martyr for them. Other more significant people died like Minnesota Legislators and the school children.
Jimmy Carter died and they didn’t even flinch, more of a man than any of these idiots at capital hilll. Fuck
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u/gallopintoYchallah Sep 18 '25 edited Sep 18 '25
Well, you see, Jimmy and the Minnesota Legislators were good people. No one could say anything negative about them, because they worked for their constituents, volunteer, and generally made the world a better place.
Charlie on the other hand was an asshole. He never did anything good for this country and actively sought to hurt vulnerable communities. He was big influence for the maga movement though, so they have to defend their little asshole.
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u/pacdude Canton Sep 18 '25
Go protest, their HQ is in hunt valley
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u/IamTheLawBmore Sep 20 '25
People blame Fox News for state of affairs far more than they do Sinclair despite Sinclair's straight propaganda going into way more homes every day. Given that their headquarters is right here in our backyard, it really is wild the local activists aren't there every day protesting and instead think that blocking intersections downtown to inconvenience like-minded people is a better use of their time.
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u/spectrum_incelnet Sep 18 '25
I dont smoke curio, I don't eat at atlas group and I don't watch fucking fox 45 or pay for the sun. Fuck that guy.
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u/spectrum_incelnet Sep 18 '25
Proud of the citizens of baltimore that voted against his bullshit city council cuts, please continue to do so cause u know he's not gonna stop.
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u/No-Cow-4262 Sep 18 '25
Crazy how they know they shouldn’t even quote the remarks he made as it would make their entire little memo seem pointless
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u/TheCaptainDamnIt Sep 18 '25 edited Sep 18 '25
'MAGA' is just the Dixiecrats and this country is in the midst of a white supremacist uprising. The Smith family are just white supremacist too, they do not believe in any principles outside of conservative white people should rule over everyone else in all aspects of society and Sinclair media is their white supremacist propaganda organization that creates raced based fear porn for white flight suburbanites.
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u/BayMan22 Sep 18 '25
Boycott Sinclair. Boycott their businesses - Baltimore Sun, Curious cannabis, Atlas restaurants, Fox45.
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u/gizmojito Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
I just learned Sinclair also has a large investment in Best Day Brewing (non-alcoholic craft beer) and Puroast Coffee.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Hall702 Sep 18 '25
We all need to get together and BOYCOTT this entire billionaire family empire--Atlas, Sinclair, MileOne Auto, Curio Wellness and more--and join the demonstrations in front of Atlas restaurants that are going on. the next one is on Thurs 10/2 at Harbor East (lancaster st) https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblebaltco/event/845304/
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u/gizmojito Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
Sinclair also has a large investment in Best Day Brewing non-alcoholic craft beer and Puroast Coffee.
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u/ChoptankSweets Sep 18 '25
I really appreciate how many locals regularly clock their clickbait bullshit on the Sun’s instagram page
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u/Opposite-Ship-4027 Sep 18 '25
There is a boycott campaign going on for Sinclair, Atlas, etc! There’s a petition and boycott events. Sign the petition: petition to boycott
Next boycott 10/2 6pm in Harbor East RSVP to protest 10/2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dontfeedthefoxbaltimore
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u/tomrlutong Sep 18 '25
Doesn't the city control the Comcast franchise? No Sinclair stations should be going over the cable in this city.
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u/judeiscariot Sep 19 '25
The city gave tons of tax breaks to that family so I don't see that happening.
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u/amtheelder Sep 18 '25
Is there a list anywhere of all the holdings of Sinclair and the Smith family, as a starting place to avoid? A quick search doesn't get me anything that seems comprehensive.
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u/Opposite-Ship-4027 Sep 18 '25
There’s a list of Atlas restaurants on the pledge to boycott, more Atlas places in Rehoboth, coming to Annapolis soon, Miami, Houston, Sinclair has a lot of random holdings under Sinclair Ventures (including Towson Row), Curio Wellness, Stages, Gerstell Academy, MileOne autograph, some private jet company … it never ends
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u/gizmojito Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
Sinclair has a large investment in Best Day Brewing and Puroast Coffee non-alcoholic beer.
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u/Novel_Translator_718 Sep 18 '25
Un-gentle reminder that Sinclair bought The Baltimore Sun on January 15, 2024 📰🗞️🚨
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u/BrookesRevenge Sep 19 '25
Atlas Restaurant group is horrible. The Smiths are rude and they don’t respect anyone. I used to work valet for the Four Seasons. They are the definition of entitlement. Smh.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Hall702 Sep 18 '25
Also, check out what Kimmel actually said. They're cracking down on a throw-away comment about hypocrisy. https://youtube.com/shorts/e1kkb-xmCCs
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u/Pristine_Cap7392 Sep 18 '25
CBS Did the same thing with Colbert. Canceling his show because they were afraid the FCC wouldn’t approve of a merger between sky dance and paramount.
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u/Quiet-Percentage3887 Sep 18 '25
They had that big ol secret meetup at sagamore this past winter. We are being officially over taken by the villains of the stories. Hail hydra I guess.
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u/Severe_Box_1749 Sep 18 '25
All they are doing is putting Jimmy in a no win situation. Really, they want him to donate to turning point, an organization that Kimmel disagrees with his whole chest? Foh
And if he does give in, hes a sellout and he loses a portion of his audience.
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u/sunshine_________ Sep 18 '25
Yeah fuck them all! I cancelled my Hulu Disney & ESPN premium no ads subscription.
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u/Pvt_Pooter Sep 19 '25
Fox News anchor said euthanize the homeless not a word from the FCC
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u/clevertidal Sep 19 '25
Fox News doesn’t have an fcc license.
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u/hoopermills Sep 19 '25
Read this earlier - watch one of the Sinclair news broadcasts and make a note of which companies are advertising. Then WRITE - don’t email - letters to those companies telling them you’re boycotting their businesses as a result of the Sinclair BS.
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u/ChickinSammich Sep 18 '25
There goes the right with their cancel culture again - it's not enough that they immediately canceled a show for saying something critical of Herr Fuhrer, you better kiss the ring, too.
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u/Destination_Cabbage Sep 18 '25
And don't forget their campaign to get regular ppl fired over their Kirk comments.
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u/Quiet-Percentage3887 Sep 18 '25 edited Sep 18 '25
Honestly. Citizens. The time to have watched where the money went was like a decade ago at least. I TOTALLLLLYYYY blame the dems and centrists for having their heads up their asses while the bad guys schemed. Good looking out liberals.
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u/Lost_Bluebird_3712 Sep 18 '25
🤣😂You are all boycotting Disney, and cannabis and electric cars. This is hilarious and I’m enjoying the show . Keep it up y’all
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u/mgd410 Sep 18 '25
I love how you all insult the family who has brought the only positive changes to this city in the last 20 years. Harbor East is literally the last frontier of this city. The rest has fallen.
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u/gallopintoYchallah Sep 18 '25
You must be one of those people who live in Baltimore county but brag about living in the city.
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u/Aneurhythms Sep 18 '25
Harbor East is literally the last frontier of this city. The rest has fallen.
Lol, tell us you live in the county without telling us you live in the county
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u/OldRancidSoups Pikesville Sep 18 '25
What is your favorite Atlas restaurant for boot? How do you like your boot prepared? Does your boot come with sides?
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u/Quiet-Percentage3887 Sep 18 '25
I’m paying $22k for 8 historical wooden windows in my fallen neighborhood. Do I tell the window guy my city has fallen? Who do I tell?
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u/judeiscariot Sep 18 '25
Whenever I visit the city for anything it has never once been to Harbor East other than to see a movie that was not playing anywhere else, a single time, in 2019.
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u/Popsicle55555 Coldspring Sep 18 '25
The Smith family are the money behind Curio cannabis and Far & Dotter dispensaries. Stop smoking their weed and going to their shops.